Those who once lived can be honored timelessly owing to a timepiece that is a traditional tribute to Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, this one-of-a-kind edition timepiece raises the bar like never before. In its 13th edition L.U.C Full Strike ‘Día de los Muertos’, the award-winning minute repeater is the hero that puts the exceptional artistic crafts of the Maison on a pedestal. Made in 18-karat gold, the 42.5 mm case honors the symbols of the Día de los Muertos tradition, portraying the calavera in utmost style and artistry. Reconciliation, joyful remembrance, and cultural identity are the pillars on which this stylized skull embodies the festive spirit.
The rose gold base acts like the perfect canvas for the colors of life and death to play their part. In a debut of sorts for Chopard, eggshell marquetry takes center stage while holding hands with deep-blue straw marquetry, two rare crafts that require the experience, craftsmanship, and perfection perfected by Maison Chopard. To put this plainly, a single artisan creates this masterpiece over a total of 160 hours. During this time, they meticulously combine more than 70 individually selected rye straw fragments with carefully assembled eggshell inlays, which is best noticed on the eye sockets and teeth.
No small feat, the handwork requires the straw to be split and shaped individually before laying it to a T to bring focus into the calavera. The hand-executed chasing on the perimeter extends to the bezel, caseband, and crown for continuity. Under the gilded fusée hour and minute hands is a hand-engraved gold mustache that balances the dial and features a subtle L.U.Chopard logo. The eternal watch is powered by the L.U.C Caliber 08.01-L, the first minute repeater movement developed entirely by Chopard Manufacture.
The movement components have a blue CVD treatment to match the dial, and it holds five patents ensuring fluid chimes without silent pauses. “By associating an exceptional chiming complication with rare decorative crafts, the unique L.U.C Full Strike ‘Día de los Muertos’ Edition 13 celebrates both the richness of Mexican culture and the remarkable talents of our Artisans who perpetuate these precious skills,” says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard. This spectacular timepiece comes with a complementing strap in hand-sewn cognac brown alligator leather with tone-on-tone lining and an 18-karat rose gold clasp.
