Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte 2

Also known as Day of the Dead, it is an annual event at the end of October celebrated in Mexico meant to remember the dearly departed, explaining the liberal use of skulls on the L.U.C Perpetual T, named after the Mexican patron saint of death, which boasts a perpetual calendar, (invisible) tourbillon regulator and nine-day power reserve. It makes for surely the most extravagant, and oddly appealing, L.U.C complicated wristwatch in a long, long time.

Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte 7

The dial is a solid 18k gold disc with a radial guilloche edge and a hand-engraved skull that’s been painted with black lacquer. Each of the sub-dials for the perpetual calendar form the eyes, while the skull has mother of pearl inlaid for its teeth, and the black-coated tourbillon bridge forms a moustache of sorts. But because of the dial design, the tourbillon is entirely hidden, a discretion almost unheard of in modern watchmaking.

Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte 6

Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte 5

The case is a large 43mm, and in 18k rose gold, with the front, sides and crown fully engraved by hand. The L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte (ref. 161941-5005) is a unique creation, priced at SFr244,500. However, similar timepieces are available as custom orders.

Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte 3