ZEN MINDSET
With this trio of watches each issued in 8-piece limited series, the manufacture whisks us off on an exquisite journey to the very heart of Japanese culture.
Interplay between arts goes far beyond boundaries. Chopard illustrates this superbly through three exceptional models. Its L.U.C Quattro Spirit Ensō, L.U.C Quattro Meditating Daruma, and L.U.C Quattro Samurai Last Stand showcase emblematic symbols of Japanese culture on their dials. The first center stages the circle drawn in a single stroke, the ensō, which represents emptiness and completion in Zen Buddhism. The second reproduces a painting by Konoe Nobutade (1565-1614), which depicts the monk named Daruma who was the founder of Zen Buddhism. The drawing on the third portrays the tattered battle fan, an allegory of fragility and resilience. All these creations are made using Grand Feu enameling with a handcrafted platinum or gold adornments.
The 40 mm-diameter ethical 18-karat white or rose gold cases host the L.U.C 98-06-L caliber, assembled using some 240 components. This selfwinding movement boasts an impressive 8-day power reserve, obtained thanks to the inclusion of four barrels. Over the course of these 192 hours, the beating heart delivers the energy required to drive the instantaneous jumping-hour display in its aperture at 6 o’clock and the rotations of the minute hand. An indicator, nestling in the back at 12 o’clock, informs at all times whether this elaborate mechanism needs to be wound. These creations, combining fine watchmaking and métiers d’art, have been granted the Poinçon de Genève, a hallmark of excellence. Here, time and culture are but one.
