CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR Japanese Urushi Grand Master Minori Koizumi carving the fine hair of the dog s tail with surgical precision for the limited edition L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dog Watch by Chopard. www.chopard.com
Meticulous painting of the dial of the Petite Heure Minute Dog Watch by Jaquet Droz, www.jaquet-droz.com Chinese New Year 2018 is the year of the Male Earth Dog (the eleventh animal in the calendar) believed to bring about honesty, loyalty and yes, stubbornness. The New Year is on Friday 16th February 2018, and a few jewellers and watchmakers have thought about the occasion with sensational insight. Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz in particular reminds us of the origin of the symbol: The dog symbolises passion, tradition and honesty. Beyond its friendly, lively character is a playful dreamer. In fact, when the Jade Emperor came up with his idea for a race to the Heavenly Gate, the dog was so busy having fun with the butterflies that he only made eleventh place in the zodiac. The dog is a sign that beyond its zodiacal symbolism, appeals to a wide audience, as one can assume that there are as many if not more dog lovers as they are people bearing the canine sign. It is also possible to pay tribute to the Chinese New Year by choosing some of the country s other cultural icons instead of the zodiacal sign: heavenly blooms in the case of Dior s watch or the architectural detail of an old palace for Carnet by Michelle Ong. But no matter whether 2018 ends up being a challenging year or not, any of the following creations will help you get through the year with a smile on your face.
www.chopard.com L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dog Watch in 18K rose gold with special hand-crafted dial created in Japan using the Urushi technique with a special Year of the Dog motif, Gilded Dauphine style hours and minutes hands; mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.17- L; Two barrels, Twin technology, bevelled, engraved and guilloché 22-carat gold oscillating weight, bridges, adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, circular-grained mainplate, bevelled components; hand-sewn black alligator leather strap 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 Dog, Chopard has selected a representative of the extremely beautiful Asian Akita breed, depicted in a lush natural setting dotted with wild orchids and enhanced by the fluttering presence of a dragonfly, regarded as a lucky charm and a good omen, the team explains. The lifelikeness and meticulous details have once again been achieved thanks to the ancient Urushi lacquer technique, which only a rare few artists can produce. Chopard called upon Master Kiichiro Masumaro 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.
www.chopard.com L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dog Watch in 18K rose gold with special handcrafted dial created in Japan using the Urushi technique with a special Year of the Dog motif, Gilded Dauphine style hours and minutes hands; mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.17-L; Two barrels, Twin technology, bevelled, engraved and guilloché 22-carat gold oscillating weight, bridges, adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, circular-grained mainplate, bevelled components; handsewn black alligator leather strap and 18K rose gold pin buckle; limited edition of 88. POA.
www.vancleefarpels.com Straight from L Arche de Noé by Van Cleef & Arpels a menagerie of benevolent creatures that are brooches or clips comes this delightful pair of dachshunds. They seem to be caught while playing, one standing up the other looking back. Black and white pelage is rare for this species (something not lost on the high jewellery house) and it is here made of carved onyx for the black and diamonds for the white. Worth noting is the reverse mirroring of colours: one dog is mostly white while the other is mostly black. Both have piercing blue eyes, another detail that makes them unique. Daschunds Clip in 18K white gold with black onyx, white diamonds and sapphires for the eyes; L Arche de Noé by Van Cleef & Arpels. POA.
www.jaquet-droz.com Petite Heure Minute Dog 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 Dog Watch (front and back) with Ivory Grand Feu enamel dial with miniature painting; 18K red gold case; selfwinding 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. In writing and crafting its own history, the brand perpetuates the vision of its founder, with exclusive pieces depicting traditional Chinese folklore, whilst incorporating the exquisite watchmaking expertise of its master craftsmen. It
www.jaquet-droz.com Petite Heure Minute Relief Dog Watch (front and back) with 18K red gold dial with cuprite, onyx subdial; handpatinated 23K yellow gold relief decoration appliques; hand-patinated and engraved 18K yellow gold dog relief appliqué; 18K red gold case and applied ring; self-winding mechanical movement; power reserve of 68 hours, diameter 41mm; limited edition of 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. Petite Heure Minute Relief Dog Watch (front and back) with 18K white gold dial with cuprite, white mother-of-pearl subdial; hand-patinated 23K white gold relief decoration appliqué; handpatinated and engraved 18K white gold dog relief appliqué; 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 28; Collection les Ateliers d Art. POA. is with this combination of art and technology that the brand s auspicious new timepiece has been created in honour of the Chinese New Year: the Petite Heure Minute Dog and the Petite Heure Minute Relief Dog. These new additions to the Ateliers d Art collection portray the eleventh animal in the Chinese zodiac, in decorative detail inspired by ancient Chinese arts.
www.carnetjewellery.com You will do yourself a big favour by welcoming these divine earrings from Carnet by Michelle Ong into your own or your loved one s collection. The asymmetry (reverse mirroring) in the positioning of blue round brilliant-cut sapphires animates the purple paving that seems to be the floor under the fine borders of white diamonds. The resulting pattern evokes the typical delineation of a sacred Chinese garden. Ong takes this further by explaining that this creation was inspired by the ornamental charm of a Chinese window, evoking the calm and tranquillity of a garden. In the centre sit two purple sapphires whose hue echoes the blue and pink of the smaller surrounding stones. Besides, purple is associated with romance in modern China, so what better way to start the New Year than by declaring your love? Sapphire Gardens Earrings in 18K white gold and titanium set with two cushion-cut purple sapphires, pink and blue brilliant-cut sapphires and white diamonds. POA.
www.dior.com Dior Grand Bal Fête du Printemps Watch in steel and 18K yellow gold, with diamonds, rubies and mother-ofpearl; Dior Watches. POA. An alternative way to celebrate the New Year is to focus on Spring and its promises of rebirth and gentle days ahead. This new Dior Grand Bal Fête du Printemps Watch from the Grand Bal Collection uses mother-of-pearl to create the signature fan pattern on the lower half of the dial. This time the dial is enriched with fine golden branches and a sprinkle of blooms. Could this be cherry blossom? One thing for sure, the ravishing foliage inspires the same bliss. The right amount of glitz is bestowed by two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds (one in the middle and the other around the case), and a carmine alligator strap completes what is in essence a deceptively discreet watch.
www.piaget.com Piaget Altiplano 38mm Watch in Cloisonné Enamel with 18K 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 dog 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. POA. Each year since 2012, Piaget has showcased the year s zodiac sign on the dial of one of its ultra-thin Altiplano watches, handcrafted in the grand feu cloisonné enamelling tradition. In 2018 the brown dog 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 able to better isolate the shades of grey from light to more intense. Through the magic of the cloisonné enamelling technique, she has portrayed the animal as a lively, proud and loyal companion.
www.anabelachan.com www.wildatheartfoundation.org Who has never gushed over puppies? Well here is another reason to fall in love. Anabela Chan s Puppy Collection is in homage to the sheer adorableness of canine youngsters. The designer has opted for the puppy s face as a stylised outline. Her portraiture includes breeds of frenchies, bulldogs, terriers, and Labradors, either in 14K white or yellow gold. Stack them, cherish them You will always do a good deed by adopting one of these cute fellas since 25% of all sales go towards the Wild at Heart Foundation, which is a British non-profit charity which funds and supports animal welfare around the world. (left to right) Pink Diamond Frenchie Ring in 14K white gold, hand pavé-set with 0.3ct of natural white diamonds, 0.3ct of pink sapphires and 0.1ct of blue sapphires ( 1360); Diamond Frenchie Ring in 14K yellow gold, hand pavéset with 0.3ct natural white diamonds ( 1100); Pink Diamond Terrier Ring in 14K white gold, hand pavé-set with 0.11ct of natural black diamonds, 0.2ct of pink sapphires and 0.1ct of blue sapphires ( 960); Diamond Terrier Ring in 14K yellow gold, hand pavé-set with 0.25ct natural white diamonds ( 960); all Puppy Collection.
www.carandache.com Year of the Dog limited edition fountain pen (888) or ballpoint (888) with long cylinder in grey lacquer carved onto polished glossy black lacquer, red Chinese seal, Swiss made and Caran d Ache logos engraved on decorative ring, nib in 18K yellow rhodium-plated gold and available in 3 widths (M, F or B); Artiste de Caran d Ache Collection. CHF2,500 (fountain pen) and CHF2,250 (ballpoint). Not only watch makers celebrate each new Chinese New Year in style. Caran d Ache, the Swiss centenary company, which is an expert in creating great writing instruments and colour pencils, also unveils each year a limited edition pièce d exception inspired by the Chinese zodiac sign of that year. In 2018, a splendid Year of the Dog pen that comes as either a fountain pen or ballpoint makes the best of engraving onto Chinese lacquer. Here the fierce dog s silhouette is compounded by the depth of polished black lacquer that contrasts with the brilliance of 18K yellow for the gold caps, decorative ring and clip. This is a sensational companion to write your own future this year!