In the watch world, the word - enamel, always captures attention, as many who appreciate this art-form realised very few artisans alive today who practise these complex techniques. Enameling techniques and work have gained significant awareness past few years and tend to be associated with the West.
In the watch world, the word - enamel, always captures attention, as
many who appreciate this art-form realised very few artisans alive today
who practise these complex techniques. Enameling techniques and work
have gained significant awareness past few years and tend to be
associated with the West.
Likewise from the East there is also a
similar technique, equally beautiful and subtly complicated - the
Urushi art, also known as 'Japanese wood lacquer' art. However both
these crafts are facing decline in the era of instant gratification and
mass-production world.
In 2009, Chopard and Yamada Heiando
launched the first L.U.C XP Urushi 2009 Collection after many months of
working together. The Collection was marketed in Japan then. Wishing to
propagate the art of Urushi to the rest of the world, the effort
continued with a few exclusive series afterward (please refer to
'Related Reads'). As all these urushi dials are hand-painted and
crafted by one artist, Master Kiichiro Masumura, no elaboration is
required about how limited each series will be.
For this year 2014, Chopard continues with the Chinese Zodiac Calender Series, and commissions Yamanda Heiando, to do L.U.C XP Urushi “Year of the Horse”.
The L.U.C XP Urushi 'Year of the Horse' is encased in a 39.5mm diameter 18K 5N Rose Gold with sleek thiness of 6.80mm. 
The dial looks different with different lighting, and at different angle. The dial just seems to be alive.
It is perhaps best to see it under daylight.
Lovely glow of the gold dust and also the iridescence of the raden work of the shell inlays.
A
close up of the maki-e horse ... note the build-up of the urushi-layers
on the horse and also the flowers, giving a 3-D effect, and when light
strikes at angle, slight shadow formed ...creating shading ... making
all the motifs pop!
The pair of dauphine gold-hands, though look
simple, but it is challenging to produce, and formed ... any
imperfection along any portion of the hands, it will be visible.
The
'Chopard' logo is printed on the second-surface of the anti-glare
treated sapphire crystal. Perhaps it may change soon, to L.U. Chopard
to distinguish this Urushi XP model belongs to the L.U.C line.
Hopefully, Chopard would consider making the logo less conspicous with
just laser-engraving and leave it with no white ink .
Signed diameter 4mm 18K rose-gold crown.
Note the motifs at this angle ... the volume build up by the multi-layers of urushi work provides depth.
The gold dust and square-foils glow at this angle ...
Stunning dial indeed.
The
sapphire gold caseback is engraved with Artist Master Kiichiro Masumura
name. Within is the automatic calibre L.U.C 96.17-L , with a solid
gold micro-rotor, bridges beautifully beveled and decorated with Côtes
de Genève and perlage, even on the side which the owner could not see.
With double stacked barrel, this calibre has at least 65 hours of power
reserve and beat at 4 Hz..
It will come with hand-stitched black alligator leather strap and a matching solid 18K rose gold pin buckle.
Hope most of you could see it in metal, the L.U.C Urushi Series, photographs just don't do justice to the beautiful dials.
KongRelated Reads : 1) Press Release of L.U.C Urushi Horse 2) L.U.C Urushi Snake 3) L.U.C XP with Urushi (2009 Collection) 4) Real Pictures of the revered L.U.C XP with Urushi (2010)
This message has been edited by Kong on 2014-03-03 10:02:15 
