Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons Watch Review
The Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons, limited to just 25 pieces, transforms the passage of time into a masterful and visually stunning work of art. Capturing the cyclical nature of the seasons, it employs an array of techniques, including hand-painting, gem setting and mother-of-pearl marquetry.
Chopard watch
When I first saw the Imperiale Four Seasons by Chopard, it immediately brought to mind a special music box I once owned as a child that helped me fall asleep. By winding the wheel to the rear of the music box, the screen began to roll slowly, perpetually turning to reveal the passing seasons of the year as a mechanically moving image. The colours would shift from the blossom-strewn light of spring to the golden warmth of summer before transitioning into the russet scenes of autumn and finally, winter’s crystalline stillness.
I remember being captivated by this theatre of time unfolding before my eyes. It’s the type of fascination that the Imperiale Four Seasons rekindles today, albeit expressed with all the majesty of Haute Horlogerie. To admire this new delectable high-jewellery watch is to relive that wonder in a more sophisticated, grown-up form.
Nature in Motion
Once again, with the release of this latest Imperiale reference, Chopard validates its place alongside the finest exponents of artisanal watchmaking. The model shares its superlative beauty with the likes of Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art pieces, Breguet’s hand-guilloché dials and Jaquet Droz’s miniature hand-painted works. However, what differentiates the Imperiale Four Seasons is that it expresses art in a dynamic format, continuously changing throughout the year. Indeed, the Four Seasons watch has a much deeper meaning than most diamond-clad timepieces. It goes beyond the expected to capture the annual waltz of the Earth around the sun, portraying the beautiful seasons as they evolve.
Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons – case
Measuring 36 mm in diameter with a case thickness of 12.1 mm, the new Imperiale Four Seasons is crafted from Chopard’s ethically sourced 18ct white gold.
image – ©Patrick Csajko
Water-resistant to 50 metres, the round case features the characteristic lotus-shaped crown, a hallmark of the Imperiale collection, along with the signature bar lugs. The bezel sparkles with large, round, brilliant-cut diamonds to match the tips of the bar lugs and the crown. Along with the generous helping of diamonds, the Manufacture complements the watch with an array of sumptuous leather straps. Presented in shades of yellow, blue, green and orange, the various hues echo the prevailing season depicted on the dial.
Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons – dial
Chopard’s artisans employ an array of techniques to create the dial of the new Imperiale Four Seasons. A lotus flower, located at the top of the dial, sets the scene and proves a recurring theme throughout the composition. Finely engraved in ethically sourced, satin-finished 18-carat white gold, it is adorned with intricately polished veins and covers over half of the dial. An opening, below the layered petals, reveals a revolving disc beneath.
The vividly coloured revolving disc, composed of pink and white mother of pearl marquetry, completes a full rotation every 365 days, changing as the seasons ebb and flow. As it turns, it showcases a full spectrum of hues, from the cool blues of winter to the vibrant greens and zesty yellows of spring. Further depth is achieved by adding each coloured petal as an individual layer. The dial shuns traditional hour markers and forgoes a minute track instead allocating space for a circlet of diamonds. The coloured petals, majestic lotus flower and openworked dagger-style hour and minute hands are framed by a scintillating, diamond-set bezel.
Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons – Calibre 96.31-L
At the heart of this perpetually moving canvas of seasons is the Calibre 96.31-L, an automatic movement featuring Chopard Twin Technology (twin barrels).
The movement, with its impressive 65-hour power reserve, harnesses energy from the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist using a micro-rotor. This approach was first employed by Chopard when it created its inaugural L.U.C calibre back in 1996, the same year the brand opened its own Manufacture. Unlike a ‘regular’ oscillating mass which sits above the bridges, the micro-rotor resides within a recess, flush with the neighbouring bridges, culminating in a slender movement, measuring a mere 4.7 mm in height.
Another benefit of equipping the watch with a micro-rotor is that it allows the wearer to drink in the heady cocktail of flawless finishing without anything obstructing the view. The inventory of finishes includes Côtes de Genève on the bridges, polished jewel and screw sinks, polished screw heads and a mainplate adorned with perlage (aka circular graining), all visible via an exhibition caseback.
Closing Thoughts
The Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons invites the wearer to contemplate the passage of time on a much grander and natural scale, surpassing the use of date windows, running seconds or day indications.
Endowed with a high quotient of horological and visual artistry and infused with Chopard’s ethical approach to luxury, the Imperiale Four Seasons makes a compelling case for acquisition. Considering this is such an imaginative and bewitching timepiece, it is hard to envisage where Chopard will venture next in the realm of haute Joaillerie timepieces.
Further reading
Technical Specification
- Model: Chopard Imperiale Four Seasons
- Reference: 384246-5001
- Case: ethical 18-carat white gold, diameter 36.0 mm, height 12.1 mm, water resistance 5 ATM (50 metres), sapphire crystal to front, exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes
- Movement: Chopard L.U.C 96.31-C, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), power reserve of 65 hours
- Strap: seamless alligator leather strap in orange, blue, green or yellow, interchangeable system. Buckle in ethical 18-carat white gold
- Price: £86,200 (RRP as of 15.10.2025)
- Limited Edition: 25 pieces