L.U.C Skull One
Eight-piece limited edition in beadblasted ethical 18-carat rose gold

A horological interpretation of the vanitas theme

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Chopard presents a new edition of the L.U.C Skull One timepiece, a limited series of eight watches adorned with a Mexican calavera as a tribute to the Día de les Muertos. It beautifully combines a black dial with lacquered finishes and gilded hour-markers, a 40 mm case in beadblasted ethical 18-carat rose gold and a brown calfskin leather strap. Beneath this mischievous death mask beats the L.U.C 96.53-L mechanical self-winding movement, crafted by the Artisans of Chopard Manufacture.

A design inspired by ancient traditions

A syncretic tradition, born in the Aztec civilization and blended with Spanish Catholicism, the Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead in Spanish – is a joyful celebration of the cycle of life and a reminder to be aware of the possibility of death, which in turn gives meaning to existence. It is an opportunity to offer gifts, offerings and libations to the deceased, and to maintain the bond that unites families on both sides of the final frontier. Macabre, yet in a manner that is all about parody, this festival gives Chopard the opportunity to revisit the vanitas theme.

The lacquered dial of the Skull One timepiece features sun, flower and heart-shaped motifs, as well as a moustache with rounded tips above a gentle gap-toothed smile. An emaciated, yet harmless-looking and even friendly skull provides a background against which the hours flow by, marked off by hands, Arabic numerals and gilded hour-markers echoing the extremely contemporary case in beadblasted ethical 18-carat rose gold.

A hand-stitched brown calfskin leather strap sets a final touch of elegance to this eight-piece limited edition. Responsibly sourced in accordance with stringent ethical criteria, this noble leather becomes even more beautiful when time enhances it with a light-brown patina.

An ultra-thin, accurate beating heart
The case of this new timepiece houses the L.U.C 96.53-L mechanical self-winding movement. Ultra-thin at a mere 3.3 mm, it is nonetheless equipped with two barrels based on L.U.C Twin technology and guaranteeing a 58-hour power reserve. It comes to life thanks to a micro-rotor in tungsten – a high-density alloy ensuring optimal winding and occupying minimal space within the watch case. With its movement bridges finely adorned with a "Côtes de Genève" pattern, it makes the L.U.C Skull One watch as beautiful inside as it is on the outside, which is why its precious calibre is made visible through a blackened transparent back reflecting the sombre aesthetic of this creation.

The L.U.C collection: 25 years of horological excellence
In 1997, Chopard Manufacture launched the first watch to emerge from its watchmaking workshops: the L.U.C 1860, equipped with the L.U.C 96.01-L movement. Since then, through the L.U.C collection, it has acquired comprehensive mastery of all the major horological complications. Between Fleurier and Geneva, Chopard Manufacture devises, develops, produces, assembles, decorates and certifies all its timepieces. Thanks to Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's commitment to watchmaking traditions, the Manufacture maintains a high level of finishing by preserving numerous artistic crafts. Finally, it is rooted in a solid tradition of precision watchmaking, with all L.U.C. timepieces bearing a seconds indication earning chronometer certification.