L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit Of The Dragon And The Pearl

The finest techniques within a showcase entrusted to Chopard’s Mains d’art (i.e. artistic hands): the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl reveals a subtle yet passionate character.

Subtle in that the dragon engravings inspired by China’s founding myths are shown to stunning effect on the hand-engraved case middle. And passionate because this one-of-a-kind creation, with its perpetual calendar and tourbillon movement, is intended for a true aesthete.

A journey to the very origins of China

Tales of Ancient China almost inevitably evoke the dragon, a central animal in the founding myths of the Celestial Empire’s first dynasties. They tell of the fabled five-clawed dragons serving the emperor in the quest for the sacred pearl leading to wisdom and knowledge. It is precisely this legendary vision of China that Chopard has decided to express through its L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl timepiece, a one-of-a-kind model which, like a sacred pearl, ushers the observer into a world of emotions. The task of engraving the 18-carat rose gold was entrusted to the Mains d’art of the Maison. This exquisitely refined figurative work has been crafted using the fine line engraving technique so as to highlight two dragons on the case middle and space between the lugs, chasing after the sacred pearl depicted on the crown. More specifically, this allegory represents two Tian Long dragons, creatures of the sky and symbols of the soul's elevation to a state of pure consciousness. In short, all that it takes to inspire a contemporary gentleman – who will naturally be delighted by this masterpiece embodying 200 hours of meticulous care – to undertake the same initiatory journey.

To complete the scenography, the solid gold dial of the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl is adorned with an engraved motif drawn from traditional Chinese iconography, like those appearing on the rose gold bezel and buckle. The scrolling patterns of the watch case are thus matched by the pleasing geometry of its face. Technique does the talking here, through the perfect micromechanical mastery that has enabled the Maison Chopard to make its mark in Fine Watchmaking circles and earned it numerous awards. This model with its L.U.C 02.15-L movement and featuring two stellar horological complications is no exception to these abiding principles of excellence.

An uncompromising calibre

The 353-part movement of the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl is equipped with a tourbillon regulator whose carriage, carrying the small seconds indicator, rotates once a minute beneath its polished steel bridge at 6 o'clock. Complementing the display is a perpetual calendar requiring no correction until the year 2100, since only century years divisible by 400 are leap years, making 2100 a common year. To ensure perfect readability of the calendar indications, they are spread over two dials – one at 3 o'clock for the month and leap years and another at 9 o'clock for the day and the 24-hour indication – along with a large twin-aperture date rounding off the symmetry of the dial at 12 o'clock.

Thanks to its tourbillon calibre, a prestigious early 19th century watchmaking invention designed to compensate for the effects of gravity on watch mechanisms, the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl timepiece is well-equipped to achieve a high degree of precision: a requirement laid down by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, who insists that all L.U.C watches from the Manufacture be certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This is what makes it possible to place the title of "Chronometer" on the dial of the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl, in addition to the ‘Poinçon de Genève’ quality hallmark stamped on the back, one of the most demanding watch industry labels. To ensure optimal user friendliness, the watch is also equipped with Chopard Quattro technology, based on four series-coupled barrels ensuring a nine-day power reserve indicated on the back of the watch.

Introspective by nature thanks to its mythological connotations that instil a spiritual dimension into the measurement of time, yet implacably rigorous when it comes to counting off that same time, the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl timepiece is a narrative creation whose story is told through a blend of art and technique in perfect osmosis.