The Chinese Lunar New Year marks the transition of the Chinese zodiac sign from one animal to the next. On January 22, 2023, begins the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, prosperity and hope. During the Lunar New Year, it’s a tradition to exchange gifts; any item with a rabbit motif is a great gift. As it is customary for Chopard, the New Lunar Year is celebrated with a limited edition featuring its respective assigned animal. In the famous novel «Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland » by Lewis Carroll the child asks White Rabbit how long forever was. He replied: “Sometimes, just one second”. A moment can last forever. That means that time is a relative concept.
The two editions each limited to 88 pieces, Happy Sport Year of the Rabbit and the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit, have a great character and each one is different from the others. Chopard’s Happy Sport watch icon features a majestic ruby-red dress and is crafted in a 33 mm diameter combining stainless steel and ethical 18-carat rose gold.
Chopard Happy Sport Year of the Rabbit watch
As you may know, red is a symbol of good fortune and joy in China. The dial is in mother-of-pearl and is adorned by five floating diamonds whirling around it. The rabbit is depicted seated with its nose pointing towards 2 o’clock and its long ears raised. Its coat of fur is decorated with floral motifs. Paired with a red leather strap, the Happy Sport beats to the rhythm of the Chopard 09.01-C movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
Chopard 09.01-C movement
The ultra-thin 39,5mm L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit is made in 18-carat ethical rose gold. The watch portrays the rabbit – a cautious and alert animal – and its relationship with the moon. Its artistic dial was created by Master artisan Minori Koizumi who used the ancient art of Urushi lacquering, a traditional lacquer from the Urushi tree sap (Rhus Verniciflua). The sap is collected in bowls, then filtered and enhanced by skilled Japanese craftsmen.
Urushi is the most durable natural lacquer in the world and has been used to make beautiful items in Japan for thousands of years. Both symbolism and prosperity are the leitmotifs of this coveted edition. Its L.U.C 96.17-L in-house movement endowed with a 65-hour power reserve testifies to the watchmaking expertise of Chopard Manufacture’s skilled artisans.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit watch
Finally, the dial is crafted each year in Japan by a world-renowned artisan specialising in the Maki-e technique. The variations of each edition originate from the interpretation and symbolism attached to the zodiac sign that Chopard portrays on the dial from year to year.
Master artisan Minori Koizumi
– Happy Sport –
88-piece limited edition in ethical 18-carat rose gold and stainless steel
Technical details:
Case:
Stainless steel
Total diameter 33 mm
Thickness 10.84 mm
Water resistance 30 metres
Faceted crown in ethical 18-carat rose gold
set with a ruby 5.50 mm
Facetted cabochons in ethical 18-carat rose gold
Bezel in diamond-set ethical 18-cart rose gold
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Screw-down exhibition back with special engraving
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding movement Chopard 09.01-C
Number of components 148
Total diameter 20.40 mm
Thickness 3.65 mm
Number of jewels 27
Frequency 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
Power reserve 42 hours
Dial and hands:
Ruby red-gradient textured mother-of-pearl dial with gilded and powdered transferred rabbit and background motif featuring translucent transferred waves
Gilded transferred minutes track
Five dancing diamonds
Domed and gilded hours and minutes hands
Gilded baton-type central sweep-seconds hand
Strap and buckle:
Glossy red alligator leather strap
Stainless steel buckle
Ref. 278608-6011 – 88-piece limited edition in stainless steel and ethical 18-carat rose gold with a leather strap.
– L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit –
88-piece limited edition in ethical 18-carat rose gold
Technical details
Case:
Ethical 18-carat rose gold
Total diameter 39.50 mm
Thickness 6.80 mm
Water resistance 30 metres
Crown in ethical 18-carat rose gold with L.U.C logo 4.00 mm
Vertical satin-brushed sides and inter-horn space
Polished bezel and case-back
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition caseback
Movement :
Mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.17-L
Winding via a gold micro-rotor in ethical 22-carat gold
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 stacked according to Chopard Twin technology
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
Dial and hands:
Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer technique with a special Year of the Rabbit scene
Gilded Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands
Functions and displays:
Central display of the hours and minutes
Strap and buckle:
Hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with nubuck lining
Pin buckle in polished ethical 18-carat rose gold
Ref. 161902-5077 – 88-piece limited edition in ethical 18-carat rose gold with special Year of the Rabbit dial
Enjoy even more @ Chopard
Article edit by Laura Astrologo Porché
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