The Lunar New Year is an important date on the calendars of not just the Chinese community and the diaspora, but for renowned watch manufactures. With China and Hong Kong being two of the largest importers of Swiss luxury watches in the world, it’s no wonder the industry is taking note of the auspicious occasion with lavish limited-edition commemorative timepieces. The Year of the Dragon in 2024 is a particularly special one, with the dragon being the only mythological creature in the Chinese Zodiac. When it comes to being translated into the world of horology, the visually interesting form of the dragon allows for a surplus of creative designs, with the mythical creature interpreted in both literal and abstract form.
With the Year of the Dragon taking place on the 10th of February 2024, we’ve rounded up our favourite watches tributing the occasion.
1. Arnold & Son Luna Magna ‘Year of the Dragon’ Onyx
True to form, British-born manufacture Arnold & Son has taken a unique approach to its Year of the Dragon watch. Using the Arnold & Son Luna Magna as a canvas, the moonphase watch is bestowed with a three dimensional golden dragon, with the creature rendered in rose gold to match the case.
2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’
Jaeger-LeCoultre flexes its métiers d’art on its signature model for Lunar New Year. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ appears like a classic Reverso at first glance; executed in rose gold with a black Grand Feu enamel dial, flipping the dial over reveals a rose gold dragon engraved atop a background of glossy black enamel. The meticulously hand-engraved dragon features a combination of polished and sandblasted surfaces, with its scale hand-drawn using black rhodium.
3. Speake Marin Art Series Dragon
A titanium case plays host to a three dimensional engraved dragon in rose gold, set atop either a grey, golden or red lacquer background. Rhodium-plated heart-shaped hands contrast against the intricate scales of the engraved dragon, while a subtle small seconds subdial sits between 1 and 2 o’clock.
4. Vacheron Constantin Métiers D’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac The Year of the Dragon
Succinct monikers aren’t Vacheron Constantin’s forte. Fortunately, exquisite métiers d’art is. Eschewing hands and indices altogether, the manufacture opts for a digital display for the hours, minutes, day, and date, providing an uninterrupted canvas for its master engravers and enamellers. A three dimensional engraved sculpted rose gold dragon rests on a clay red enamel dial which is adorned with yellow gold inflections that recall the technique of decoupage from China and Switzerland.
5. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Designed in collaboration with artist Chen Fenwan, the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon fuses ancient Chinese art forms with cutting edge horology to create a unique tribute to the Year of the Dragon. Housed within a tonneau-shaped titanium case, it depicts the Eastern dragon—known as the ‘loong’—using a form inspired by the traditional art forms of paper cutting and marquetry. The dragon motif continues onto the rubber strap, with an innovative form of ‘rubber marquetry’ seeing each scale of the dragon coloured and nano-vulcanised into the strap.
6. Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon
Designed in collaboration with its namesake artist, the Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon offers an abstract take on the dragon. While the creature is typically depicted as a regal, powerful figure, this piece sees it anthropomorphised as a series of doll-like girls, in keeping with Japanese artist Ryoko Kaneta’s signature style. The dragon-girls interact with the hour numerals around the dial, injecting the iconic Cintrée Curvex with a welcome sense of playfulness.
7. Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon 5345
Métiers d’art and technical prowess meet on the dial in the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345. Brought to life by the hand-wound in-house calibre 588N1 (composed of a massive 749 components), this detail laden timepiece features a hand-engraved gold dragon that oscilates between the two tourbillons at either side of the dial, with the dragon secured by two barrel bridges. The dragon itself clutches a pearl between its talons, contributing to the opulent effect.
8. Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon
The Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon houses the most photorealistic dragon of the bunch. Crafted from rose gold—as is the case—it weaves its way through the skeletonised X structure of the watch, seemingly incorporated into the movement itself. The mythical pearl holds court atop the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, positioned between the dragon’s five-clawed hands (with five-clawed dragons associated with imperial dynasties and considered to be the most prestigious of their kind).
9. Longines Flagship Heritage Year of the Dragon
Taking a less overtly reptilian approach to the Lunar New Year, the Longines Flagship Heritage Year of the Dragon sees the brand’s signature 38.5mm Flagship Heritage timepiece fitted with a red fumé dial with yellow gold accents and a moonphase display at 6 o’clock. It’s housed within a stainless steel case; flip it over and you’ll find the face of a dragon etched into the caseback.
10. IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon
It’s business on the front and tribute on the back with the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon. The Schaffhausen manufacture’s signature elegant chronograph receives a striking burgundy dial (with red and burgundy hues symbolising luck, joy, and prosperity in Chinese culture) which is complemented by gold-plated hands and appliques. Flip it over and you’ll find that the golden rotor (visible through the exhibition caseback) has been carved into the shape of a dragon.
11. Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon
Taking a sketch-like approach to its Lunar New Year tribute, Bell & Ross employs the art of laser engraving to create this monochromatic timepiece the Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon draws inspiration from tattoos, with its signature round-within-a-square case playing host to a meticulously engraved dragon surrounded by motifs of natural elements like the sun and moon as well as various flora and fauna.
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Words by AR Staff
