INTRODUCING: Chopard L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art

A rare, colourful tribute that showcases the L.U.C collection’s whimsical side.

As some are still reliving this year’s Halloween revelry, and Mexico is winding down from the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, Chopard is proposing that the celebration be extended indefinitely with a limited edition timepiece that pays tribute to the latter. The fourth watch in a series, the L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art continues to be inspired by the colourful Mexican holiday, with a richly hued skull motif as its centrepiece – a symbol of life, mortality, and the cycle of existence.

For those unfamiliar with Día de los Muertos, it is a vibrant and deeply rooted Mexican tradition honouring and celebrating deceased loved ones. Observed on November 2 each year, it also coincides with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. It’s believed that during this time, the spirits of the dead return to join the living in a joyful reunion. The celebration is a time of remembrance, reflection, and a joyous commemoration of the deceased, reminding us that they live on in the hearts and stories of those they’ve left behind.

Among the many emblems of Día de los Muertos, the calavera is perhaps the most iconic. The representation of a human skull is a prominent symbol of the cycle of life and death. It comes in various forms during the festival, including decorative objects intricately adorned with vibrant colours and patterns. Incidentally, the skull motif is also used as a talisman across multiple cultures, some believing that it protects the wearer from negative energies and acts as a guardian against unseen dangers. 

And one would be hard-pressed to find a horological talisman as striking as the L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art. Elegantly interpreted by Chopard artisans, the transferred skull motif on the dial has a pop-art feel featuring the colours of the Mexican national flag. Just as calaveras often bear the names of the dearly departed, that of the brand’s founder, Louis-Ulysse Chopard, appears as a kitschy L.U.Chopard logo on the moustache of the skull.

Seemingly to avoid drawing attention from the artistry of the dial, Chopard has judiciously kept the rest of the watch a sober affair. Its 40mm case is crafted in the Maison’s proprietary Lucent Steel, a highly resistant alloy comprising 80% recycled materials with properties rivalling surgical steel. The hardiness of the case is bumped up by a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating in the same hue as the black Dauphine hour and minute hands. 

Also in stark contrast to the lively dial is the workhorse Chopard L.U.C 96.53-L movement, a high-end calibre that delivers an impressive 58-hour power reserve via the brand’s Twin Technology, whereby two co-axial barrels work in sequence. Thanks to this self-winding ultra-thin movement, the watch slips easily under any shirt cuff with its 7.20mm thickness. The sapphire crystal caseback has been subtly tinted, adding a sense of mystery. However, the movement’s tungsten alloy micro-rotor and bridges with hand-finished Côtes de Genève decoration are still visible.

Priced at S$16,300 and limited to 25 pieces, the L.U.C Skull One Calavera Pop Art is made for those seeking the extraordinary, as it highlights the L.U.C collection’s playful side backed by Chopard’s boundless creativity and watchmaking prowess.

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