The watch business is bracing for what they hope will be a soft landing as the post-pandemic spending splurge ends and a return to more normal trading resumes.
That means special occasions will be a strong focus: birthdays, weddings, Thanksgiving, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day take on additional importance in a cooler market.
Chopard has unveiled a scarlet-red version of its Happy Oval Sport, which is a perfect fit for Valentine’s, and comes with those peerless symbols of love: diamonds.
The jeweler even points out that the oval, or egg shape of its recycled steel and ethical rose gold case, represents “both shelter and emergence, a landscape of all possibilities, where future transformations take shape”.
Its red mother-of-pearl dial with rose gold hour markers is brought to life with seven diamonds that dance around the face as it moves.
Its golden crown is set with a ruby and it can be bought with a diamond-set or polished gold bezel.
Chopard has installed its automatic 09.01-C three-hand movement, with its finishing on show via a crystal case back and paired the bright red dial with a glossy red alligator leather strap.
Chinese Year of the Dragon
Four days before Valentine’s is the Chinese New Year, welcoming in the Year of the Dragon.
Chopard has this occasion covered as well with the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dragon.
The watch’s dial is a work of art depicting the dragon on Urushi lacquer, using gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlays.
It is hand-crafted for Chopard in Japan by a world-renowned artisan specialising in the Maki-e technique.
This the 12th consecutive year that Chopard has been unveiling watches with Urushi dials, each continuing the centuries old traditions of Chinese New Year.
Depicting a dragon completes a full cycle of 12 Chinese zodiac symbols that began with a snake in 2013.
The slim 6.8mm high 39.5mm watch is forged from ethical 18ct rose gold and contains an L.U.C 96.17-L two-hand movement with a 22ct gold micro rotor.
It has twin barrels delivering power reserve of 65 hours.
It is limited to 88 pieces and is worn on a black leather strap.
