CHINESE NEW YEAR THE YEAR OF THE PIG Miniature painting of the ivory grand feu enamelled dial of a Petite Heure Minute Pig Watch by Jaquet Droz; 18K red gold case; self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 39mm; limited edition of 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. www.jaquet-droz.com
Making of Chopard s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig; Kiichiro Masumura applying the ancient Japanese lacquer technique, of which he is a master. www.chopard.com Chinese New Year 2019 is the year of the Pig (the twelfth animal in the calendar and as such the final sign of the cycle) believed to bring about sincerity, hard-work, considerate mind-set and generosity. A Year of the Pig is thus composed of successful exertions, as well as festivities. The New Year starts on Friday 5th February 2019 and will end on January 24th 2020, and a few high jewellers and watchmakers have thought about the occasion with sensational insight. Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz in particular reminds us of the attributes of the symbol: those born in the year of the Pig are said to be loyal, cautious and attentive. The Pig is empathic, selflessly devoted to the causes of others, endlessly trusting and exceptionally honest. Besides, in Chinese culture, the pig is considered a symbol of wealth and therefore it is quite an auspicious sign. That is why it is also possible to pay tribute to this Chinese New Year by wearing the colour red, and so for jewellery lovers, it is time to dust off or buy new pieces set with rubies, red spinels or even rubellites. I have featured a very small selection of creations featuring red that will hopefully boost your chances of success in 2019 or at least ignite your passion!
www.chopard.com L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig Watch in 18K rose gold with special hand-crafted dial created in Japan using the Urushi technique with a special Year of the pig motif, Gilded Dauphinetype hour and minute hands; mechanical selfwinding L.U.C. 96.17-L via a 22-carat gold micro rotor; two barrels, Twin technology, bridges, adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, circulargrained mainplate, bevelled components; handsewn black alligator leather strap with brown alligator leather lining and 18K rose gold pin buckle; limited edition of 88. POA. For the new limited series of its L.U.C XP Urushi watch celebrating the Chinese Zodiac, the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig, Chopard has chosen a golden pig, a symbol of abundance, with a protruding stomach (a sign of joviality) appearing against a multicoloured forest background, the team explains. The lifelike and meticulous details have once again been achieved thanks to the Urushi ancient lacquer technique, which only a rare few artists are able to execute. Chopard once again called upon Master Kiichiro Masumura to oversee the creation of the L.U.C XP Urushi dials. He is recognised as a master of his art and has been raised to the status of national human treasure in Japan. The dials were executed by the Urushi Grand Master Minori Koizumi. For this collaborative endeavour, Chopard secured the services of the Yamada Heiando company, official purveyor to the Japanese imperial family.
High Jewellery earrings one-of-a-kind creation by de Grisogono in 18K white and pink gold set with 2 pear-shaped white diamonds (approx. 1ct and 1.06cts), 2 pear-cut Vivid Red no heat rubies (approx. 7.54cts and 7.57cts), 2 trapezecut rubies (approx. 0.71ct), 48 baguette-cut white diamonds (approx. 6.52cts), 164 rubies (approx. 0.50ct) and 366 white diamonds (approx. 0.52ct); part of 25 Jewellery Creations, Symbolising 25 Years Of Creative Audacity. POA. www.degrisogono.com Multi Colour Tourmaline, Red Ceramic and 18K Rose Gold Bracelet Signed Taffin. POA. +001 (212) 421-6222 www.taffin.com 26 Vendôme Ring by Boucheron in platinum set with one 88.8-carat Burmese oval red spinel, paved with diamonds; Boucheron Surréaliste, Nature Triomphante collection. POA. www.boucheron.com
www.harrywinston.com Harry Winston Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm Watch with dial made of mother-of-pearl marquetry on a 18K gold base, 9 brilliant-cut diamonds and one emerald-cut diamond; 18K rose gold case set with 57 brilliant-cut diamonds; mechanical, automatic movement and red alligator leather strap with 18K rose gold ardillon buckle set with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds; limited edition of 8; Harry Winston The Premier Collection. POA. Launched in 1989, the Premier was the first timepiece collection introduced by the House of Harry Winston and was designed to replicate iconic symbols of the New York jewellery brand. It is only befitting that a rose gold Premier Automatic 36mm version would be used as ambassador to commemorate the Chinese Year of the Pig, and pay tribute to some of China s richest cultural traditions (the colour red and the stylised magnolia flowers). Worth noting, pearl marquetry has been expertly used for the dial. Much like enamellers, artists at Harry Winston paint different tonalities of mother-of-pearl onto a gold base to set the scene. Fiery red mother-of-pearl offers a dramatic backdrop for the charming pig, the team explains. Then fine slivers of mother-of-pearl in red and pink create the delicate magnolia flowers. Carefully selected diamonds elevate the scene with 8 of them used as hour markers and one generous emerald-cut diamond Mr. Winston s preferred cut crowning the dial at 12 o clock.
www.jaquet-droz.com Petite Heure Minute Pig Watch (front and back) with ivory grand feu enamel dial with miniature painting; 18K red gold case set with 232 diamonds (1.23cts); self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 35mm; limited edition of 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. Petite Heure Minute Pig Watch (front and back) with ivory grand feu enamel dial with miniature painting; 18K red gold case; self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 39mm; limited edition of 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. As a pioneering designer in Swiss Haute Horlogerie, Jaquet Droz forged very special ties with 18th century China, then under the reign of Emperor Qianlong. His fascination with the Middle Kingdom left its mark on the brand with the famous two stars. It is with a combination of art and technology that four new timepieces have been created in honour of the Chinese New Year: the Petite Heure Minute in red gold and in female and unisex versions, where the art of miniature painting was chosen to depict a young pig in a field of wheat. Applying the brand s signature naturalist technique, Jaquet Droz evokes the abundance and prosperity of a ripe wheat crop. Engraving is the dominant art in the second new pair of limited-series pieces: The Petite Heure Minute Relief Pig, for which a wild pig is depicted in front of eight oak trees. The number eight has a special significance in Chinese culture, which sees it as a lucky number.
www.jaquet-droz.com Petite Heure Minute Pig Watch (front and back) with ivory grand feu enamel dial with miniature painting; 18K red gold case set with 232 diamonds (1.23cts); self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 35mm; limited edition of 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. Petite Heure Minute Relief Pig Watch (front and back) with 18K white gold dial with onyx; pig appliques and relief trees in 18K white gold, handengraved and hand-patinated; 18K white gold case set with 272 diamonds, buckle set with 24 diamonds (1.16cts); self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 41mm; limited edition of 8; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA.
Inspired by Cy Twombly Necklace by GRAFF in which the rubies and diamonds, invisibly set so that the metal is hidden from view, form an endless loop of rich colour, creating an intense play of light on the décolletage; total weight of rubies is 49.21 carats, and of diamonds is 46.24 carats. POA. www.graff.com Cygne Earrings by Dior High Jewellery in 18K white gold set with diamonds and red spinels. POA. www.dior.com Stax Ring by David Yurman in 18K white gold set with diamonds and rubies. POA. www.davidyurman.com
www.piaget.com Possession Pink Gold Watch with 18K red gold case set with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.03cts); natural carnelian dial; Manufacture Piaget 56P; quartz movement; power reserve: approx. 31 months; interchangeable red alligator leather strap with pink gold ardillon buckle; Piaget boutique exclusivity; Possession collection. POA. Piaget Altiplano 38mm Watch in Cloisonné Enamel with18k white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.7ct); grand feu cloisonné enamel dial inspired by the Chinese Zodiac and graced with a pig motif; Manufacture Piaget 430P ultra-thin mechanical manualwinding movement; power reserve: approx. 43 hours; black alligator leather strap with a white gold ardillon buckle; limited edition of 38; Piaget boutique exclusivity. POA. Every year since 2012, Piaget has showcased that year s zodiac sign on the dial of one of its ultra-thin Altiplano watches, handcrafted in the grand feu cloisonné enamelling tradition. In 2019 the pig joins the limited edition collection, creatively interpreted within the confines of the watch s extremely thin case. By partitioning the enamel pigments using cloisons before they are fired multiple times at over 800 C in the kiln, world-renowned master enameller Anita Porchet is Possession Carnelian Open Bangle in 18K pink gold set with 30 brilliant-cut diamonds and 2 carnelian cabochons; Possession collection. POA. able to better create the subtleties of light and shades. Through the magic of the cloisonné enamelling technique, Porchet creates the most subtle nuances and gives the pig its lifelike velvety coat of skin. As for celebrating red the colour of the year in style, Piaget points out their red Possession collection with the Possession Pink Gold Watch and the Possession Carnelian Open Bangle. For the 2019 Chinese New Year, it looks like Piaget have covered all the bases!
www.dior.com Dior Grand Bal Miss Dior Rouge Watch Grand Bal Miss Dior Rouge Watch in steel and 18K yellow gold, set with 171 diamonds (approx. 1.08cts) and one ruby; Dial is golden-brushed with a shiny red tie and dye shaded effect and has yellow gold faceted hour and minutes hands; automatic movement, Dior Inversé 11 1/2 calibre, decorated with lacquered yellow gold corollas, translucent enamel petals, gold pearls and set with round-cut diamonds; black satin with red calfskin strap and stainless steel prong buckle set with round diamonds; Dior Grand Ball collection; Limited edition of 88. POA. Rose des Vents Bangle by Dior in 18K pink gold set with one diamond and red ceramic lacquer; Rose des Vents collection. POA. Two departments at the house of Dior have joined forced to mark the occasion, and this means that you can wear both resulting creations together and hereby probably double your chances for good fortune in 2019! One is a timepiece and the other a piece of fine jewellery; both are embellished with the event s traditional colour red. First is the Dior Grand Bal Miss Dior Rouge Watch which pays tribute to the iconic Miss Dior dress embroidered with a thousand petals and created by Christian Dior for his spring- summer 1949 haute couture collection, the team shares which is adorned with red and gold. Its rotor features a flower in bloom, suggesting the promise of happiness and rebirth. Then comes the Rose des Vents collection designed by Victoire de Castellane and which introduces a bangle decorated with two red ceramic lacquer discs, one of which is adorned with the couturier s lucky star.