Chopard's artisans celebrate Santa Muerte (the patron saint of death) through a one-of-a-kind timepiece.

Launched today at SIAR (Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria 16-18th October 2018) watch exhibition in Mexico is the piece unique L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of 'La Santa Muerte'.

L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005

Skulls, flowers, suns, guitars: Santa Muerte is admirably reflected through several fascinating motifs. In tribute to the culture of Mexico, Chopard introduces an exceptional new timepiece named the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of 'La Santa Muerte'.

L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving

Entirely hand-engraved by the artisans of Chopard Manufacture, its 43mm diameter gold case and dial are adorned with motifs typical of the Dia de Los Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is generally celebrated as this saint's feast day.

Dial engraving

Inside it, beneath the death mask, beats a supremely sophisticated calibre: a perpetual calendar tourbillon with a nine-day power reserve.

This one-of-a-kind model will be presented to collectors at the SIAR.

L.U.C 02.15-L movement

Confirming its credentials as an accomplished, expert and versatile Manufacture, Chopard presents a one-of-a-kind highly complicated watch entirely hand-engraved in-house. After paying tribute to the cultural symbolism of the Chinese zodiac in 2016, Chopard is turning to Mexico and the syncretic traditions surrounding Santa Muerte.

L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005

Stemming from the Aztec civilisation and tinged with Spanish Catholicism, the Día de Los Muertos - Day of the Dead - is a joyful celebration of the cycle of life, an occasion for renewed awareness of the possibility of death, which in turn gives full meaning to life. A day of remembrance, the Día de Los Muertos also provides an opportunity for gifts, offerings and libations to the deceased, and to cultivate the ties that bind families on either side of the final frontier.



L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving

L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving

Sunny Eyes, Moustache and Grimace

The tourbillon bridge forms the moustache above a grimace.

The sunny eyes are a parody of death motifs.

L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 back

The 9-day power reserve indicator can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back, which also reveals the chronometer COSC and Geneva Seal markings.

After the 2016 tribute to the Chinese Zodiac, Chopard turns to Mexico this year with a one-of-a-kind ribute to local culture and celebrating their involvement with SIAR.

2016 tribute: L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac ref. 161941-5002

Regards,

MTF