FAITHFUL COMPANION

To mark the upcoming Chinese zodiac cycle for 2018, Chopard has unveiled a limited edition celebrating the Year of the Dog. Enough to start the year under the most favourable auspices!

The Chinese New Year is a chance for watchmaking brands and craftsmen to express their skills on dials designed to celebrate the festivities. For the Year of the Dog, beginning on 16 February 2018, Chopard has chosen to highlight the delicate work of the master craftsman Minori Koizumi, who works for the Japanese imperial family. His work celebrates the age-old art of Urushi-e lacquer work, using resin taken from the tree of the same name. Here, the hand-made creation depicts an Akita Inu dog, a breed from the Land of the Rising Sun. The technique used adds relief to the scene. In a snow-filled decor, flowers and a dragonfly bring touches of bright colour. Numerous layers of lacquer of outstanding finesse are combined with the encasement of tiny iridescent particles to produce a finely nuanced picture. The L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dog dial has neither indices nor numerals, but dauphine-type hands made of pink gold.

By Dan Diaconu