In Chinese language astrology, these born underneath the signal of the Dragon are celebrated for his or her vitality, energy, confidence, intelligence, and generosity. Dragons are recognized to provoke grand endeavours and preserve them operating, promising luck, prosperity, and financial success.
And, as 2024 is a yr when the Dragon reigns supreme, watch aficionados can rejoice this auspicious event with timepieces that seize the essence of the Wooden Dragon (the Dragon representing the animal zodiac, whereas Wooden is the ingredient related to the yr, the others being Gold, Water, Hearth and Earth).
The Chinese language dragon, not like its Western counterparts, is seen as a benevolent image, representing braveness and journey.
Individuals born within the Yr of the Dragon, which begins on February 9, are believed to embody these traits, and the checklist of well-known people born underneath this zodiac signal is spectacular – from John Lennon, Andy Warhol and Keanu Reeves, to Bruce Lee, Martin Luther King Jr. and Maya Angelou.
Unsurprisingly, the most important manufacturers are eager to capitalise on watches that seize the spirit of this auspicious yr. However, whereas the dragon takes centre stage on the earth of timepieces, it’s important to recognise the cultural nuances surrounding Lunar New Yr gift-giving.
In Chinese language tradition, the phrase ‘giving a clock’ feels like ‘attending a funeral ritual’ and, as an added reminder, watches actually symbolise the passing of time.
Regardless of these cultural taboos, nonetheless, the watch trade continues to dedicate consideration to Lunar New Yr releases, and collectors eagerly embrace these limited-edition treasures.
Arnold & Son
Perpetual Moon 41.5 Crimson Gold ‘Yr of the Dragon’ and Luna Magna ‘Yr of the Dragon’
A rose-gold flying dragon and mother-of-pearl moon are on the coronary heart of two new Perpetual Moon fashions, every made in an version of eight items. Set in opposition to a backdrop of blue or black aventurine, are stone pines, evening sky constellations and the majestic dragon.
A moonphase indicator is proven on the caseback. Throughout the 41.5mm red-gold case is the double-barrelled, manually-wound A&S1512 calibre. Launched alongside the Perpetual Moon is the Luna Magna Crimson Gold ‘Yr of the Dragon’ (pictured), additionally produced in two editions of eight.
The watches function massive dials in pietersite or onyx plus a big moon and dragon in pink gold. The off-centre hours and minutes subdial is in white opal. The Luna Magna is powered by the A&S1021 calibre with 90-hour energy reserve.
Bell & Ross
BR 05 Artline Dragon
A model extra often related to utilitarian device watches, Bell & Ross employs a freer hand with the BR 05 Artline vary displaying its extra flamboyant facet.
Utilizing a way that has been employed by a number of manufacturers over time, the watch case and bracelet have been handled to laser engraving leading to a tattoo-style design.
The primary time such a graphic design has been utilized by the model, the play of sunshine and shadow emphasises the weather of nature that function a backdrop to the legendary dragon.
The BR 05 Artline Dragon includes a BR-CAL.321 self-winding mechanical motion with a 54-hour energy reserve.
Time indications are positioned on the flange in order to not detract from the design. Simply 99 items of the intricate 40mm BR 05 Artline Dragon might be made in celebration of the Lunar New Yr to be offered completely in Bell & Ross boutiques and e-boutiques.
Blancpain
Villeret Conventional Chinese language Calendar
Blancpain’s first Chinese language Calendar wristwatch was launched in 2012, that means that in 2024, the model is getting into its second 12-year cycle of the Chinese language zodiac. The watch, that reveals each the Chinese language calendar and a Gregorian date and moonphase, options an engraved dragon on the red-gold winding rotor, whereas the 45mm gold case frames a inexperienced enamel dial.
The Chinese language calendar is displayed by way of three subdials at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock, plus home windows for the Zodiac and leap month. The Gregorian date is indicated by way of a serpentine hand and the moonphase is represented at 6 o’clock.
5 years in improvement, the 50 items of this particular assortment are powered by Blancpain’s uber-complex Calibre 3638.
Bovet
Récital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon
The golden or yellow dragon is central to Chinese language mythology and is the primary aesthetic ingredient of Bovet’s most up-to-date Récital 26 Chapter Two, which reveals all 24 time zones all over the world.
The solid-gold dragon is integrated into Bovet’s famed ‘writing desk’ case between the domed hour and minutes subdial, the world time hemispheric subdial, the mother-of-pearl moonphase and the flying tourbillon.
The dragon itself is hand-engraved earlier than a fiery-red ruby is about into the attention and the beast is then assembled across the dial.
Throughout the 46.5mm red-gold case is the award-wining Calibre 17DM06-DT motion with a five-day energy reserve from a single barrel.
Chopard
L.U.C XP Urushi Yr of the Dragon
One of many horological highlights of each Lunar New Yr is Chopard’s limited-edition (often 88 items) Urushi mannequin. For 2024, the home revisits the traditional Japanese artwork of maki-e lacquer to breed an imposing dragon.
Executed on the Yamada Heiando studio by grasp artist Minori Koizumi, a golden dragon, clutching the pearl of knowledge that represents data and non secular vitality, leaps by way of an evening sky the place gold flakes are sandwiched between layers of lacquer produced from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree.
Housed in a 39.5mm moral rose-gold case, the watch is powered by the ultra-slim L.U.C 96.17-L calibre with micro-rotor.
Corum
Bubble x 2
Corum’s most imaginative watch design, the Bubble, which was born out of Severin Wunderman’s fascination with Sixties diving helmets, is celebrating the brand new yr with not one however two devoted watches.
The black sunray dial of the Bubble 47 Dragon (pictured) evokes an evening sky punctuated by a mother-of-pearl moon. Above the dial hovers a golden dragon. In a nod to earlier Bubbles, the Bubble 47 Dragon Eye, includes a hand-crafted, aid steel eye surrounded by golden scales magnified by the domed sapphire crystal of the watch.
Each fashions are restricted to 88 items and are geared up with the CO 082 computerized motion and a vulcanised rubber strap.
Dior
Grand Soir Yr of the Dragon
Since its inception in 2012, the Grand Soir assortment has seamlessly fused the distinctive design language of Dior with the meticulous craftsmanship inherent within the model’s watchmaking.
Representing a charming homage to ultra-femininity and a vivid celebration of color and texture, these watches elegantly unveil their intricacies with a refined artistry.
That includes a 36mm metal case, housing an computerized Zenith Elite motion, this new limited-edition mannequin celebrates the sweetness and energy of the Wooden Dragon, bringing the beast to life in a blaze of yellow gold, accentuated with diamonds and colour-matched feathers.
Hamilton
Ventura Skeleton Dragon
Launched in 1957, and a horological rock star because it was first noticed on Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii, Hamilton’s Ventura has revealed its inaugural Lunar New Yr look ahead to 2024 with this daring cutaway dragon design.
Revealing a stylised and geometric dragon’s face, the Ventura Dragon Skeleton is obtainable in two variations – a rose-gold PVD case with black dial and inexperienced dragon eyes, or a black PVD mannequin with flame pink eyes.
Each are powered by the self-winding H-10-S motion with 80-hour energy reserve and Nivachron steadiness spring. The watches are offered on black rubber straps with a 3D dragon scale sample.
Harry Winston
Moments Chinese language New Yr Automated 36mm
In 2024, Harry Winston is celebrating Lunar New Yr with a devoted watch in a 36mm rose-gold case with a pearl-topped crown positioned at 12 o’clock. The dial is adorned with an imperial pink dragon – his golden scales coated with pink lacquer – rising by way of fluffy white mother-of-pearl clouds, the pearl of knowledge in his jaws.
The watch is the primary in a brand new assortment known as Harry Winston Moments, showcasing a gem-set double bezel set. Throughout the case is a Swiss computerized motion. Simply eight items of this distinctive jewelry watch might be made and might be offered in an octagonal Chinese language Temple-inspired field.
Hublot
Spirit of Huge Bang Titanium Dragon
Designed in collaboration with Chinese language artist Chen Fenwan, Hublot’s Lunar New Yr watch takes inspiration from the Chinese language artwork of paper reducing – a craft that has been on the Consultant Checklist of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009.
The phantasm of the jap dragon is achieved by way of layering of the watch palms, gears and screws to type a 3D silhouette of the beast – the symbolism persevering with onto the marquetry rubber strap that represents the dragon’s scales.
In Hublot’s interpretation, 9 totally different animal traits are mixed – from the eyes of a prawn and the whiskers of a catfish, to the horns of a deer and the claws of an eagle. Housed in a tonneau-shaped, 42mm Spirit case, the watch (in an version of 88 items) homes a HUB1710 computerized motion with an influence reserve of fifty hours.
IWC
Portugieser Chronograph Yr of the Dragon (ref. IW371629)
Traditional, slim and stylish, this 41mm metal Portugieser, restricted to 1,000 items, includes a burgundy dial with gold-plated palms and utilized indices. Whereas the refined pink face is a nod to the East, turning the watch over reveals the Calibre 69355 column-wheel motion by way of a sapphire caseback.
The golden winding rotor takes the type of a dragon and the caseband is engraved with: “2024 Yr of the Dragon”. The watch is offered with a pair of straps – one in black calfskin, the opposite in burgundy rubber – and is obtainable from IWC boutiques, authorised retail companions, or on-line at IWC.com.
As well as, the timepiece is eligible for registration underneath the My IWC care programme, benefitting from a six-year extension to the usual two-year Worldwide Restricted Guarantee.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
A JLC favorite since 1931, because of its swivelling head the Reverso has lengthy supplied loads of scope for personalisation with enamelling and engraving. For Lunar New Yr 2024, Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched a brand new pink-gold, métiers d’artwork timepiece bearing the picture of a mighty dragon rising from Grand Feu enamel clouds.
The dragon is created in JLC’s in-house atelier by way of an 80-hour lengthy course of referred to as ‘modelled engraving’ – involving the usage of 10 totally different chisels – over Grand Feu enamel. Turned to dial-side, there is similar black enamel because the caseback, whereas the simplicity of the face is a stark distinction to the highly effective picture on the reverse.
Utilized hour-markers, a chemin de fer minute monitor and Dauphine palms, full the deceptively easy look. Throughout the case is the manually wound Calibre 822.
Piaget
Lunar New Yr Capsule Assortment
Piaget’s Lunar New Yr Capsule Assortment is devoted to the masculine and female energies of the dragon and the phoenix. The dragon takes centre stage in two 38mm Altiplano Zodiac references, that includes intricate cloisonné enamelling by Anita Porchet.
The blue dragon and the phoenix, depicted in pink, pink, and orange hues, are delivered to life with gold engraving, including depth and dimensionality. These watches, restricted to 38 items every, showcase a contemporary and vibrant expression of the Lunar New Yr.
The gathering additionally consists of 4 new excessive jewelry watches – a 41mm Altiplano Excessive Jewelry Dragon watch, a dragon-emblazoned Emperador that includes a flying tourbillon and two Phoenix Excessive Jewelry watches.
Swatch
Dragon In… assortment
A model that has celebrated the symbolism of Lunar New Yr for a lot of editions, for 2024 Swatch has launched a whole assortment of reasonably priced tributes to the mighty dragon. Impressed by the neon lights of Asian cities, the gathering symbolises energy, energy, and luck in 5 fashions raging in dimension from 34mm to 47mm.
Base colors differ from the black background of Dragon in Wind to the blue of Dragon in Waves, the semi-transparent white of Dragon in Cloud, and the golden plated metal of Dragon in Movement and Dragon in Gold.
The entire watches are waterproof to 30 metres and are offered in cube-shaped packaging, which repeats the colors and designs of the watches inside.
TAG Heuer
Carrera Chronograph, Yr of the Dragon x 2
TAG Heuer has produced two variations of the Carrera to rejoice Lunar New Yr – one in metal, the opposite in gold. The metal model of the watch boasts a sunray-brushed silver dial whereas the face of the gold mannequin is pink-gold plated.
Each are adorned with rhodium- and pink-gold plated indices and fiery pink lacquer.
A ‘reverse panda’ impact is achieved by way of the pink chronograph subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock, which echo the color of the central seconds hand. The caseback includes a printed Chinese language dragon across the sapphire glass plus engravings confirming ‘Restricted Version’ and ’Considered one of 300’ for the metal model and ‘Considered one of 50’ for the gold.
The watch is powered by the Calibre Heuer 02, seen by way of the sapphire again and is offered on a pink alligator-leather strap.
Ulysse Nardin
Blast Tourbillon Dragon
The Blast Tourbillon, launched in 2020, can flip its face to any alternative, and the Lunar New Yr isn’t any exception. To mark the event, Ulysse Nardin is highlighting the abilities of its métiers d’artwork workforce with the creation of a dragon that prowls throughout the skeletonised X construction of the dial.
The dragon is hand-sculpted in rose gold and painted. It has 5 claws – a type that, in line with Ulysse Nardin, might solely be utilized by the Emperor and the royal household whereas the remainder of the inhabitants had to make use of depictions of a four-clawed creature.
The dragon is guarding the tourbillon carriage of the UN-172 motion at 6 o’clock, which options the pearl of knowledge at its centre. A complete of 88 watches might be produced.
Wolf 1834
Lunar Triple Watch Roll Yr of the Dragon 2024
Lastly, if any of the above enchantment, they are going to want someplace to be saved and WOLF 1834 has the answer within the type of a triple watch roll made in ‘vegan leather-based’ and adorned with intricate black dragon embroidery.
A nod to the color of luck, the dragon has a pink eye and the Ultrasuede inside includes a crimson hue. Throughout the roll is a secret capsule that enables the proprietor to cover particular treasures or fortunate charms.
