Urushi, an ancient lacquer technique developed in Japan using tree sap, is the catalyst for Chopard’s limited-run L.U.C XP timepiece ($24,290). The watch depicts a horse, inspired by the 2014 Chinese New Year, adorned with lotus flowers painted onto the dial by hand. To make each piece, a skilled urushi specialist applies thin layers of resin derived from the sap of the Japanese urushi tree and then traces the fine lines, using thin bamboo brushes, with gold powder to highlight the design. The number of timepi…