Inside The Making Of Chopard’s Imperiale Four Seasons Watch

Chopard’s watchmaking philosophy has always blurred the lines between high horology and fine art. With the Imperiale Four Seasons, the maison introduces a poetic complication that encapsulates nature’s timeless rhythm — not just in function, but in form and feeling. While the beauty of this timepiece is immediately apparent, it’s in the making that its soul truly reveals itself.

Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons: Inside The Watch

At the heart of the watch is an extraordinary feat of micro-mechanical engineering: a rotating disc that completes one full revolution every 365 days. This disc doesn’t just mark time — it tells a story. Crafted in textured mother-of-pearl marquetry, the rotating display features hand-painted hues inspired by the four seasons. Summer’s golds, spring’s greens, winter’s frosty blues, and autumn’s burnished tones merge into a seamless tableau that evolves with each passing day.

This dial is not merely ornamental — it’s technically indexed to the hour hand, ensuring mechanical harmony between function and poetry. The challenge? Marrying ultra-precise horological mechanics with fragile, hand-painted mother-of-pearl, a task requiring intense skill and calibration. Each disc is crafted with minuscule variations to align with the organic quality of the materials, ensuring each of the 25 watches is unique.

The upper dial is a visual ode to the lotus flower, a symbol recurring in the Imperiale collection. Here, it’s sculpted in ethical 18-carat white gold, its petals satin-finished and polished to catch the light in different ways — a masterclass in texture. The lace-like motif floats over the dial, demanding micro-sculpting expertise more akin to high jewellery than traditional horology.

Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons: A Closer Look At The Watch

The case, crown, lugs, and even the lug covers are crafted from the same ethical white gold, fully set with brilliant-cut diamonds, further elevating the watch’s celestial quality. Despite its dazzling finish, the watch remains wearable, sized at 36mm and water-resistant to 50m — subtle details that reflect the maison’s respect for both luxury and practicality.

Beneath the shimmering dial lies the L.U.C 96.31-L calibre, a self-winding mechanical movement developed entirely in-house by Chopard. It contains 227 meticulously assembled components, including two barrels supported by Chopard’s Twin Technology, enabling a 65-hour power reserve. The movement is wound by a tungsten alloy micro-rotor, allowing for a slimmer profile without compromising efficiency — a testament to the brand’s vertical integration and mechanical prowess.

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Each Imperiale Four Seasons is paired with four interchangeable alligator leather straps in seasonally inspired hues — golden orange for autumn, icy blue for winter, fresh green for spring, and vibrant yellow for summer. The straps are equipped with an easy-change system, ensuring the watch remains in sync not just with the calendar but with personal style.

Only 25 pieces of the Imperiale Four Seasons exist, available exclusively at Chopard boutiques. Every detail — from ethical sourcing to artistic execution — reinforces Chopard’s evolving vision of modern luxury: one that is rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and storytelling.

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Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons: Final Thoughts On The Watch

In an age where complications often chase complexity for its own sake, the Imperiale Four Seasons chooses poetry. And in doing so, it delivers a timepiece that doesn’t just mark the passage of time — it honours it.