Kong
[Moderator]
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Chopard - L.U.C XP Urushi 2014 “Year of the Horse” Special Edition
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.
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.
Kong
Related 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
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Chopard - L.U.C XP Urushi 2014 “Year of the Horse” Special Edition
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 y...
Superb traditional arts employed on this LUC!
Thank you Kong for the report and wonderful pictures! I love this watch and if i were to get an art timepiece, the LUC urushi series will be top of my mind. Great value for the craftsmanship both on the dial and movement finishing. I would love to see thi...
Have a look in metal soon ...
and try on, see if you like it. Thanks for viewing. Kong
Just visited the Chopard boutique
The urushi horse has just returned to Switzerland so I missed it. The friendly boutique staff will contact me when it's back. Thanks Kong for your suggestion. Seeing it in the metal is indeed the best way to appreciate it although your photos are the next...
wow the urushi
r prettier every year, this yr i see the horse stands out more against the back ground by contrast, really attractive! thx kong for capturing its beauty as usual:) cheers, ed~
Good to ...
hear from you, Ed! The MoP outline isolates the motif from the background, and the buildup layers of urushi work gives the Horse a ' pop up' effect. Thanks for viewing. Kong
Kong, I had a chance to see this one in the metal finally.
Exquisite! Best, CaliforniaJed
Several, Kong.
I'm fascinated with them all, but the dial on the horse really catches light in a magnificent way. Best, CaliforniaJed