Chopard and the Three Lucky Goats
Chopard has established a tradition of celebrating each new cycle of the Chinese calendar. For Chinese New Year 2015, Chopard continues its love affair with Asian traditions. The quintessential Japanese art of Urushi is employed to create another L.U.C XP watch inspired by the “Year of the Goat” theme. The most lucky Chinese zodiac sign provides an ideal subject for a refined dial, the face of a watch driven by an ultra-thin L.U.C movement.
Proclaimed a “Living National Treasure” by the Japanese authorities, artist Kiichiro Masumura has created this unique dial for Chopard based on the time-honoured lacquering techniques of Urushi and Maki-e. Marrying ancestral craftsmanship with the highest degree of Swiss watchmaking, this majestic work of art portrays the Chinese astrological sign of the goat. Magnificently showcased within the understated lines of the ultra-thin L.U.C XP in 18K gold, this exceptional timepiece is equipped with the mechanical self-winding L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L.
Exceptional watchmaking expertise
A work of art such this dial is matched by the refinement of the L.U.C XP, a superlative and elegant ultra-thin timepiece measuring 39.5 mm in diameter and only 6.8 mm thick. It is an emphatic illustration of Chopard’s horological mastery. Chopard Manufacture is one of the rare movement makers capable of producing a mechanical self-winding calibre equipped with twin barrels ensuring a 65-hour power reserve. The watchmakers of the Manufacture in Fleurier achieved this feat using an off-centred micro-rotor. The micro-rotor is integrated into the overall thickness so as to keep the movement slim and ensure smooth and practical winding.
Entirely hand-decorated by the artisans of the Manufacture Chopard in accordance with the craftsmanship traditions of fine watchmaking, L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L may be admired through the transparent sapphire case-back. The case comes in a choice of 18-carat rose gold or white gold.
Fitted with a black alligator leather strap, the L.U.C XP Urushi “Year of the Goat” is delivered in a special presentation box, also decorated according to Urushi techniques. Black on the outside and adorned with Maki-e on the inside, it is shaped like an octagon, the oriental symbol of joyfulness.
Art and serenity
The dial of this new Zodiac watch is entirely crafted by hand. A traditional Japanese lacquer technique - Urushi - is used to depict a serene goat, viewed from the side. Portrayed on a bed of flowers beneath colourful stylised clouds, it inspires a sense of merriment and tranquility. As traditionally represented in the Chinese zodiac, the goat is a peaceful creature, intolerant of injustice, which it is always keen to oppose. Endowed with a creative rather than a belligerent personality, it draws upon art to assert its point of view. Easy-going and generous by nature, it is the bearer of soothing virtues and heralds a sense of harmony associated with values relating to the land and to family.
A time-honoured pictorial art
Urushi is a long-established lacquering art. The varnish is derived from the sap of the Urushi tree, also called the “lacquer tree” or “Japanese varnish tree”, mainly found in Japan and China. The resin can only be harvested once a year, in very small quantities. Three to five years after it is collected, the resin is treated to transform it into an extremely resistant, honey-textured lacquer. It is applied in very thin successive layers, traditionally on everyday objects such as bowls or boxes.
Maki-e, a technique derived from the art of Urushi, consists of sprinkling the lacquered coating with metal powder – gold or silver – in order to accentuate its outlines. The gold dust is applied using bamboo tubes and small natural-hair brushes in order to trace extremely fine lines. This art requires a degree of skill and meticulous care that only a few experienced Urushi specialists possess.
Technical details
L.U.C XP Urushi – Year of the Goat
Case:
In 18K gold
Total diameter: 39.50 mm
Thickness: 6.80 mm
Water resistance: 30 metres
18K gold crown with L.U.C logo: 4.00 mm
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Transparent back
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding: L.U.C 96.17-L
Oscillating weight: 22K gold
Balance wheel: 3-spokes
Balance spring: flat
Total diameter: 27.40 mm
Thickness: 3.30 mm
Number of jewels: 29
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours
Two barrels, Twin® technology
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève, circular-grained mainplate
Components: 172
Dial and hands:
Dial crafted according to the Urushi technique with a Goat décor
Gilt Dauphine-type hour and minute hands
Functions and displays:
Central display of the hours and minutes
Strap and buckle:
Hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with Alsavel lining
18K gold pin buckle
In the Chinese Zodiac, the Sheep and Goat are synonyms.
2015 A.D. is the 4712th Chinese Year. The first day of the Wooden Goat cycle is on February 4, 2015. Chinese New Year Day is on 19th February 2015. Goat is the 8th animal in 12 zodiac signs. Goat is after Snake (6th) and Horse (7th).
Snake, Horse and Goat are in the Fire cycle based on the theory of Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) astrology system.
Goat is one of Chinese favorite animals. Goat's Chinese character is Yang, not Wei. The Chinese character of Luck contains the character . The pronunciation of is Xiang, which is close to Yang . Therefore, the Goat becomes a lucky animal. The sound of Yang is the same as Yang of Yin Yang. Yang means the positive energy of the universe.
During the Chinese New Year festival of the Goat Year, Chinese like to say “san-yang-kai-tai” , which means many (three) Yang energy bring up auspicious, cordial and tranquil atmosphere. But Chinese like to replace with as in the Goat year. "Three Lucky Goats bring Auspicious Cordial Tranquil Atmosphere upon you".
......Chopard and the Three Lucky Goats.
Actually, is from I-Ching Hexagrams . Three bars in the bottom are three Yang, which represents Heaven (Sky). Three broken bars on the top are three Yin, which represents Earth (Ground). Strong Yang energy is going up from the ground. This natural phenomenon is connected to the timing of the beginning Spring.
Year of the Goat
People born in a year of the Goat are believed to be gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kind-heartedness and justice.
They have very delicate thoughts, strong creativity, and perseverance, and acquire professional skills well. Although they look gentle on the surface, they are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions in their minds. They have strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts.
Though they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because they like spending much time in their thoughts. Goats like to spend money on fashionable things that give them a first-class appearance. Although goats enjoy spending money on the finer things in life, they are not snobbish.
I think this is one of the prettiest variants of Chinese Zodiac Urushi watches that Chopard and Yamada Heiando have produced.
What do you think?
Regards,
MTF