Tag Archives: chopard

Roar into the Lunar New Year with These Dragon-Inspired Timepieces

 

2024 marks the return of the Year of the Dragon. Returning once every 12 years, this celestial creature is associated with prosperity and is a symbol of luck, strength and wisdom. The dragon is also an imperial icon that embodies life and immortality. In honour of this auspicious creature, LUXUO lists the exclusive festive releases and dynamic timepieces to usher in the Year of the Dragon — from dragon motifs to dragon figurines and every scale inbetween.

Vacheron Constantin

The Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon’s grisaille enamelling technique is objectively rare, and is a first for Vacheron Constantin in this shade of green. Note the 146 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and case of the 40 mm white gold watch, which take nothing away from the subtlety at the heart of this unique piece. Absent even a seconds indicator, it might be the most restrained watch on this list…

Ulysse Nardin

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Ulysse Nardin combines the majestic dragon with the alluring pearl. The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon is an embodiment of in-house innovations, métiers d’art and the magic of the Year of the Dragon. This limited edition timepiece is crafted from 5N rose gold with black DLC-coated titanium sections. The two-dimensional enamel dial features an intricate red gold dragon extending across the dial towards a pearl sculpture. The case back’s “X” shape is a signature of the watch and has become a notable feature of the modern Ulysse Nardin.

Piaget

Piaget’s new Dragon & Phoenix capsule collection features 10 daring designs of exceptional watches and High Jewellery pieces – topped off with a pair of extravagantly exclusive, made-to-order high jewellery cuff watches. Each creation brims with emotion and exuberance, joyfully channelling the codes of the Maison while celebrating the house’s unparalleled watchmaking savoir-faire. In the example seen here, the dial features the fine paillonne enamel craftwork of the famed Anita Porchet, framing a engraved gold dragon.

Chopard

Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dragon is an 88-piece limited edition in ethical rose gold and boasts a continuation of the brand’s exploration of the traditional Japanese urushi craft; the dial was crafted by a Japanese Maki-e master using urushi lacquer, gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlays. The in-house L.U.C 96.17-L calibre with micro-rotor ensures that a slender profile of just 6.80 mm can be maintained. It mingles technical savoir-faire and artistic flair delivered by Chopard Manufacture.

Breguet

Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon 5345 (Special edition)

Breguet unveils two new exceptional timepieces as a tribute to the emblematic Year of the Dragon. The first is the special edition Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon 5345, which sees a hand-engraved golden dragon twirl between the watch’s twin tourbillons. The dragon is seen clutching a pearl made of mother-of-pearl in its talons. The rhodiumised gold rotating plate is hand-guillochéd with a fan motif. The gold bridge below the mainplate features an anthracite galvanic treatment and Clous de Paris hobnail motif guilloché.

Next is the Classique Dragon 7145 which features a hand-engraved rose gold appliqué dragon standing triumphantly on the dial with the watches Roman numerals, minutes track and clouds finished in a golden powder-pink hue. The manufacture calibre 502.3 beats inside a 40 mm rose gold case which is one of Breguet’s thinnest at just 2.40 mm thick.

Classique Dragon 7145 (Eight Piece numbered limited edition)

Hublot

Drawing inspiration from the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting, the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon layers its hands, wheels and H-shaped screws to form a 3D silhouette of an eastern dragon. It is a formidable expression of creativity that bridges form and function. Created in collaboration with the Chinese artist Chen Fenwan, this limited edition timepiece of 88 pieces is the perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, combining metaphors and symbols in the spirit of Hublot.

Bovet

Bovet’s artisans combined the art of sculpting miniatures with its established mastery of high horology in the Recital 26 Chapter Two Dragon. The result is a hand-engraved horological objet dárt. A domed blue quartz dial displays the local time zone’s hours and minutes in the upper part of the case. The dome located at 3 o’clock displays a second time zone specifically developed for this timepiece and patented by Bovet.

Roger Dubuis

Roger Dubuis utilised the Year of the Dragon to introduce the Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon. The timepiece’s watchmaking innovation highlights the dance, complexity, artistry, and symbolism of the festive season all in one. For the sculpture of the dragon, the watchmakers have used 27 individual pieces of brass – each embellished with black lacquer on the sides and a pink gold treatment on the polished top surface. The pieces are then set on 25 different levels, producing a mutli-dimensional vision that is full of volume and vitality, thus enriching the skeletonised movement.

IWC Schaffhausen

IWC Schaffhausen welcomes the Lunar New Year with a special edition release of the Portugieser Chronograph. This timepiece features a 41 mm stainless steel case, a burgundy dial and contrasting gold-plated hands and appliques. Limited to 1,000 pieces, this watch features its rotor in the form of a majestic dragon, visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The watch is powered by the manufacture 69355 calibre.

Bell & Ross

Envoking tattoo artistry, the BR 05 Artline Dragon watch takes on this bold personality, with its own exclusive laser engraving. By adopting this graphic code, the timepiece visually plays on light and shadow through the relative fineness and thickness of each stroke honing in on the precision of line work that is crucial to “transcending the realm of drawing to that of a metal tattoo”. On the BR 05 Artline Dragon’s dial and integrated bracelet, the decorative motif is finely engraved.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chapter to this story of craftsmanship and artistry with the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’. The new timepiece pays tribute to the Year of the Dragon, and to the talents of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. Created to celebrate the Zodiac Year and made only to order, the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ is testament to La Grande Maison’s vision of culture and creativity, where the artistic crafts merge with the technical expertise of the watchmakers.

Blancpain

In 2012, Blancpain achieved a world-first when it debuted its Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar wristwatch that spanned East-West with its combination of a complex Chinese calendar and a Gregorian date and moonphase. This year, the Manufacture enters its second 12-year cycle with the introduction of a new limited edition of this grand complication featuring a dragon engraved on the red gold winding rotor in honor of the symbol of the new lunar year. This special limited edition for the first time is executed in red gold with a green enamel dial against a frosted background; the dragon is flanked by a red ruby and a Chinese character engraving of the words “dragon” and “wood”, the element of 2024.

Franck Muller

Franck Muller’s release of special edition timepieces comes every Lunar New Year to mark the procession of animals in the Chinese zodiac. Honouring the mythical dragon, the new Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Limited Edition bears a customised rotor that has been engraved with a dragon, which appears to coil around and protect the timepieces’s movement like a “mystical guardian”. The Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Rouge and Vert are accented in red and green respectively, with the pops of color coming from its tinted sapphire caseback – the special bright hues reflected in said caseback mirror that of the dial. Only 10 pieces will be available of each reference, including the Colour Dreams version (which is distinguished by a transparent caseback) exclusively at Franck Muller boutiques in the Asia Pacific region.

Parmigiani Fleurier

Maison Parmigiani celebrates the Year of the Wood Dragon with a magnificent restoration of a masterpiece from its Métiers d’Art collection, the “Tempus Fugit”. Inspired by the legend of the Dragon and the Pearl of Knowledge, the piece incorporates powerful symbols anchored deep in traditional Chinese culture. This piece is a reference to Parmigiani Fleurier’s vast experience in the restoration of antique clocks and its fascination with kinetic art.

L’Epée

The movement “Swiss Made Caliber 1853” was created entirely by L’Epée 1839, has 124 parts meticulously assembled by the L’Epée 1839’s master watchmakers. Two dragons “protect” on either side of the most precious part of a kinetic object — the gearing mechanism. The dragons with golden or palladium scale adopt mirrored postures, their serpentine body coils protectively around the horological craftmanship.

For more on the latest in luxury watch releases, click here.

10 luxurious jewellery pieces of this Fall/Winter 2021

From Chanel, Chopard to Piaget, these top-of-the-line jewellery pieces definitely will elevate your appearance.

Chanel

It’s the 100th anniversary of the iconic N°5 perfume and Patrice Leguéreau has just the present to celebrate the milestone. The Chanel Fine Jewelry Creation Studio director has crafted over a hundred stunning haute joaillerie pieces for Collection N°5 and they include this Golden Sillage bracelet in yellow gold and platinum with yellow sapphires, spessartite garnets and diamonds.

 

Chopard

Everything in Chopard’s Red Carpet collection is literally breathtaking—one does not simply enumerate the components in each piece without gasping for air. This cuff bracelet, for one, features Mandarin garnets, Paraiba tourmalines, pastel sapphires, white opals, pink quartz, tsavorites, tanzanites, kunzite, amethysts, aquamarines, beryls, topaz, citrines, rubies, tourmalines and diamonds.

 

De Beers

Untamed nature serves as the backdrop for De Beers’ Reflections of Nature high jewellery range. Capturing the maze of waterways, floodplains and islands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the Okavango Grace creations, particularly these climber earrings, boast rough and polished diamonds in a true-to-life colour scheme of green, pink, brownish pink, purple and grey.

 

Dior

A decade has passed since Victoire de Castellane came out with her lush Bal des Roses collection. Now, once again paying a tribute to Christian Dior and his favourite flower, the creative director introduces the sparkling new RoseDior range, which brings forth a slew of exquisite designs such as these RoseDior earrings in textured yellow gold with diamonds.

 

Gucci

The oh-so whimsical garden at Gucci continues to grow with the expansion of the Hortus Deliciarum high jewellery collection. Echoing the eclectic quixotism of creative director Alessandro Michele’s kaleidoscopic universe, the new batch is inspired by the mesmeric hues of the sky at various times of the day which is perfectly illustrated by this classic cocktail ring.

 

Louis Vuitton

Diving deeper into its past, Louis Vuitton takes its devotees back to the very beginning—when its founder embarked on that journey across France to realise his dreams—for the Bravery high jewellery assortment. The Arrow ring cleverly narrates this account, serving as a metaphor for his odyssey and a literal interpretation of his legacy with the incorporation of the emblematic V motif.

 

Hermès

An icon at Hermès has received the ultimate star treatment with the brand’s latest jewellery entry. The Kellymorphose line, just as its name suggests, takes after the legendary Kelly bag defined by a strong and assertive form, side straps, clasp, padlock and key-holder—elements that are present in the pieces under the banner notably this Kelly Gavroche necklace.

 

Piaget

Where there’s darkness, there’s light. Promising to illuminate even in the bleakest of nights, Piaget’s Extraordinary Lights high jewellery pieces are imbued with the most spectacular light phenomenon. The Magical Aurora necklace, for instance, is bound to set the sky ablaze with the verdant hue of its emeralds and the unparalleled sparkle of its diamonds.

 

Habib

Springtime stretches all year long at Habib and the blossoming of The Bouquet in the fall season shows us just that. This stunning frangipani-inspired brooch, handcrafted in a restful combination of 18k rose and white gold, exudes the feeling of unfiltered femininity as the pink petals unfurl under the morning sun and unveil 391 pieces of brilliant-cut diamonds.

 

Tiffany & Co.

Nature’s most vivid chromatic displays are turned into mesmerising works of art at Tiffany & Co. as the jeweller releases its 2021 Blue Book collection. Themed Colours of Nature, the new roster is brimming with one-of-a-kind masterworks including this delicate butterfly brooch in 18k yellow gold peppered with purple sapphires and dazzling diamonds.

 

This article was originally published on www.lofficielmalaysia.com.

 

The Happy Hearts Flowers Ring by Chopard

Spring season brings a renewed promise of hope and Chopard sets the tone for the realm of jewellery with another uplifting reinterpretation of its Happy Hearts jewels.

Underpinned by the maison’s beloved heart motifs and dancing diamonds which over the years have been alternately placed face to face in a delicate pas de deux, arranged in a line or forming pairs of butterfly wings, the pieces have taken a new form that’s inspired by flowers.

Nestled at the heart of the collection is the Happy Hearts Flowers ring. Illustrating a blossom in full bloom, five red, diamond or mother-of-pearl hearts have been fashioned into gleaming petals and planted around a dancing diamond. The use of ethical 18k rose or white gold to frame the corolla further attests to Chopard’s commitment to sustainability and ultimately turns the ring into a thoroughly wholesome masterwork.

Crafted by the artisans at the maison’s jewellery workshops whose storied know-how has been passed down from generation to generation, the ring boasts unparalleled workmanship infused with a tinge of nostalgia. And just as this expertise has stood the test of time, the ring—and the Happy Hearts Flowers range as a whole—promises big-hearted women everywhere a companionship that shall last a lifetime.

 

Visit chopard.com to discover more.

This article was originally published on www.lofficielmalaysia.com.

The End of Baselworld as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Chopard and Chanel Withdraw

The writing was on the wall in January 2020 as LVMH launched their inaugural Watch Week in Dubai with a rather optimistic albeit pointed opening address by Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin citing the late dates of the year’s edition of the Baselworld Watch Fair as being incongruous with product and sales cycles of their watch retailers, prompting a group decision to hold their product launches at the beginning of the year rather than so close to the middle of the year.

The end of Baselworld, long discussed and pontificated among the world’s watch journalists and subject to rumours following Swatch Group’s mass exodus, Breitling following suit, and then eventually leading to the exit of Seiko consisting of both Grand Seiko and Seiko, and Citizen Group comprised of Bulova, Citizen and Arnold & Son, already sounded the death knell for the beleaguered MCH Group AG, the organisers of Baselworld watch fair and Art Basel.

The End of Baselworld as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Chopard and Chanel Withdraw

Today 14 April 2020, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor announced their decision to leave the annual watch fair, ending Baselworld which has roots as far back as 1917 with the opening of the first Schweizer Mustermesse Basel which devoted a hall to watches and jewellery. The watch fair was eventually Baselworld, The Watch and Jewellery Show in 2003.

With Baselworld attendance down 22% for the 2019 edition after Swatch Group announced their shocking decision to depart, opting instead to hold their own Time to Move fair in Zurich. With Rolex, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Chopard and Tudor leaving the Messeplatz halls, they will create a new watch trade show in Geneva with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, the organisers of the now-defunct SIHH, recently renamed Watches & Wonders Geneva.

The decision comes after a communique from Rolex Head of Investments & Logistics Hubert J. du Plessix, and current president of the exhibitors’ committee of Baselworld was leaked to watch press and later rebutted in Le Temps by Michel Loris-Melikoff, director-general for Baselworld. MCH had postponed the Baselworld watch exhibition as a result of the worsening coronavirus pandemic but refused to offer any significant refunds, opting instead to offer unpalatable options to carry forward the majority (from 70%) of the exhibition fees to the next edition and reminding exhibitors that exhibitors’ contracts do not compel it to provide any refunds.

Mr du Plessix, speaking on behalf of the small exhibitors last week on 7 April 2020, denounced MCH for hiding behind a “rigorous reading of contractual provisions to justify its position” of only making partial refunds amidst extenuating, unforeseen circumstances. Insult to injury, exhibitors received reminders in February, during the growing outbreak, to pay outstanding fees for Baselworld 2020 and later followed up with deadlines to accept partial-refund proposals by end April.

“The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie is delighted to welcome a new salon which will strengthen the historical Watches & Wonders event in Geneva next year in early April.” – Jérôme Lambert, on behalf of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Council

With the biggest legacy exhibitors, Rolex and Patek Philippe and Chopard departing, the latest move signals the end of Baselworld. The show will be held early April 2021 at Palexpo, will be linked to Watches & Wonders Geneva.

Other brands may also be added, and the new event will be geared predominantly towards retailers, the press and VIP customers, similar to Watches & Wonders Geneva. LUXUO and World of Watches have published the brand CEOs’ full remarks without edits:

Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex SA, and Board Member, Montres Tudor SA, said: “We have taken part in Baselworld since 1939. Unfortunately, given the way the event has evolved and the recent decisions made by MCH Group, and in spite of the great attachment we had to this watch show, we have decided to withdraw. Following discussions initiated by Rolex, it seemed only natural to create a new event with partners that share our vision and our endless, unwavering support for the Swiss watchmaking sector. This will allow us to present our new watches in line with our needs and expectations, to join forces and better defend the interests of the industry.”

Thierry Stern, President, Patek Philippe said: “The decision to leave Baselworld was not an easy one to take for me, being the fourth generation of the Stern family to participate to this traditional yearly event. But life evolves constantly, things change and people change as well, whether it is at the level of those responsible for the watch fair organization, the brands or the clients. We constantly have to adapt ourselves, question what we do, since what was right yesterday may not necessarily be valid today!

Today Patek Philippe is not in line with Baselworld’s vision anymore, there have been too many discussions and unsolved problems, trust is no longer present.
We need to answer the legitimate needs of our retailers, the clients and the press from around the world. They have to be able to discover the new models from Swiss watchmakers each year, at one time, in one place, and this in the most professional manner possible.

That is why, following several discussions with Rolex and in agreement with other participating brands, we have decided to create, all together, a unique event in Geneva, representative of our savoir-faire.“

Frédéric Grangié, President of Chanel Watches & Fine Jewellery said: “Like its partners, CHANEL shares the same independence and the same desire to protect and promote the values, know-how, utmost quality and precision of Swiss Watchmaking. This initiative marks a key milestone in the history of CHANEL Watchmaking and is part of a long-term strategy, which began with the launch of this activity in 1987. This exhibition will allow us to present all of our new creations in an environment that meets our high-quality standards.”

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President Chopard et Cie SA said: “Chopard first exhibited at the Basel fair in 1964 with a stand of some 25 square metres. After careful consideration, our family decided to support the Rolex initiative and retire from Baselworld – a painful decision. The creation of this new watch show in Geneva, in parallel to Watches & Wonders, will allow us to better serve our watchmaking partners and our customers. Through the alliance, these grandes maisons will also be able to collaborate in promoting the values and best interests of Swiss watchmaking.”

 

See how the Chopard Red Carpet Collection for Cannes is made

With over 20 years of partnership with Cannes Film Festival, Chopard continues to cherish the relationship and has now introduced a stellar red carpet collection for the occasion.

The collection, which was dreamed up by Co-President and Creative Director of Chopard Caroline Scheufele, comprises 71 creations to reflect the edition number of the Cannes FilmFestival.

Taking inspiration from the journey of Scheufele where she came across architecture, art, literature, cinema and nature – which were her muses –, this Haute Joaillerie collection was rife with glamour and profusion of colours.

Among the 71 pieces of jewellery, the one-of-a-kind feather necklace has drawn our attention the most.

For the first time ever, Chopard created a necklace using real feathers to complement the annual prestigious French film festival. Co-created with feather artist Nelly Saunier, an acknowledged expert with 30 years experience, this creation is a masterpiece of exceptional mastery and fervent passion in jewellery.

Influenced by the costumes and traditional skills of the people on the Mongolian Plateau, the plumage necklace is beautifully adorned with the rooster, grey heron, ostrich and black pheasant feathers and accentuated by a sculpted gold cameo.

Snagged from the centre spot, the gold cameo is decorated meticulously by volutes of blue apatites, violet garnets and red jasper.

On the jewellery imbued with the free-spirited creature, Nelly Saunier said, “Birds are born with this elegance and appearances are never deceptive. They demonstrate total freedom in revealing their beauty. It is this spontaneity and this authentic form of expression that I share. Feathers are all about emotions .”

See more details about the intricate masterpiece in the gallery below:

Chopard jewellery and watches are now made of ethical gold

Sustainability has always been a core value for Chopard for more than 30 years and in its latest effort for the cause, Chopard will start the use of ethical gold for its collection.

Starting from July 2018 onwards, every single watch and jewellery made by the Maison will use 100% ethical gold, as announced by Chopard Co-Presidents Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele at Baselworld 2018.

The ethical gold Chopard uses to craft its jewellery and watches will be sourced from mines participating in the Swiss Better Gold Association (SBGA), Fairmined and Fairtrade schemes as well as RJC Chain of Custody gold, which all meet the international best practice environmental and social standards.

In an effort to contribute to artisanal gold miners’ improvement initiatives and to grow the volumes of ethical gold extraction, Chopard joined SBGA in 2017.

As one of the members of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the Swiss brand is in full control of the entire processes, from manufacturing to the final product.

At the press conference Caroline Scheufele says, “As a family run business, ethics have always been an important part of our family philosophy. Naturally, we have always put ethics at the heart of the values of Chopard”.

On top of the announcement, Chopard’s Green Carpet High Jewellery collection made of Fairmined gold made its first appearance at Baselworld along with High Horlogery L.U.C Full Strike watch and Happy Palm watch as the family-owned Maison slowly march into a new era of ethical gold usage.