Fergus Nash
This new addition to the Chopard IMPERIALE collection pays tribute to an Egyptian legend.The lotus flower signifies the sun, and has inspired the day/night indicator dial.The calibre 96.30-L is an in-house marvel, featuring a healthy power reserve and micro-rotor.It’s hard to invalidate diamond-set watches when artisans like Chopard bring in new levels of creativity. The Chopard IMPERIALE is a range of feminine watches typified by floral motifs and elaborate material decoration, however this new limited edition for Watches & Wonders is perhaps their most ambitious and glamorous display yet.The Chopard IMPERIALE at 10:08pmFor the latest Chopard IMPERIALE, the lotus flower has been revisited as the underlying theme of both the decorations and complications. The lotus is celebrated across many cultures and has a long list of significant associations, but this particular homage follows an Egyptian legend where the sun rises once the petals have opened at dawn before setting as the flower closes in darkness. You can see how the lotus has been represented with resplendent 18k rose gold, engraved delicately to show the texture of the petals. The top half of the flower has been skeletonised to reveal the dial underneath, which is actually a fully-revolving day/night indicator.The Chopard IMPERIALE at 10:08amThe spinning dial is a captivating works of ornate craftsmanship even for a jeweller of Chopard's calibre, and it will surely be hard to resist adjusting the time just so that you can watch the display turn. The central disk is made from a mother of pearl with a blue gradient, forming extremely convincing fluffy clouds in daytime and a bright night sky. Powdered gold was used to create dainty five-pointed stars on the night side, and a spectrum of blue sapphires have been used with diamonds to form the ring of precious stones on the dial's perimeter.The Chopard IMPERIALE at 12am (left) and 12pm (right)The 18k rose-gold case is of course also set with diamonds, as is the crown with a sapphire cabochon. The diameter is 36mm for a versatile fit, meaning that anyone with confidence could pull this watch off. The blue alligator leather strap is seamless and works with the dial colours beautifully, and is paired with a simple pin-buckle closure. The movement is visible from a sapphire display caseback, and there's plenty to stare at there as well. The in-house manufacture Chopard 96.30-L is decorated with Geneva stripes and perlage, with expert finishing and a micro-rotor for automatic winding. The power reserve is an impressive 65 hours while beating at 4Hz, making it just as impressive mechanically as it is visually.The Chopard IMPERIALE pricing and availability:This addition to the Chopard IMPERIALE collection is a limited and numbered edition of 25 pieces, engraved on the caseback bezel. Price: TBABrandChopardModelIMPERIALECase Dimensions36mm x 10.15mmCase Material18k rose goldWater Resistance50mCrystal(s)SapphireDialDay/night rotating diskLug Width16mmStrapBlue alligator leatherMovementChopard 96.30-LPower Reserve65 hoursAvailabilityLimited to 25 piecesPriceTBA
27.03.23