Here are some watches to get in on the festive mood for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Each comes its own flair and interpretation of capturing the spirit of the dragon.
Grand Seiko ‘Red Dragon’
The Grand Seiko ‘Red Dragon’ keeps in style with the watchmaker’s brand identity. The timepiece comes in a deep burgundy coloured dial with a three-dimensional halo pattern adorning its surface, while the seconds hand and Grand Seiko logo are lacquered in gold to symbolise wealth.
More details here.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
The 42mm TAG Heuer Carrera Chronographs epitomizes the rich blend of watchmaking and Chinese culture. These timepieces are available in two editions: gold and steel. Of particular beauty are the red azuré subdials. Red alligator leather straps completes the look which complements the steel and gold cases. The steel variant is limited to 300 while the gold in 50 pieces.
Register your interest here.
Breguet Classique Dragon 7145
The 40mm classique wristwatch comes in 18-carat rose gold. A red grand feu enamel dial with gold is applied, all of it engraved by hand displaying the Chinese zodiac sign of the Dragon. The timepiece is a self-winding movement with balance-spring and lever in silicon as well as a sapphire caseback. It is water-resistant up to 3 bar (30m). Limited and numbered edition of 8 pieces.
Make your bid here.
Harry Winston Chinese New Year Automatic
Gleaming with the brilliance of Harry Winston diamonds, the case frames a dial decorated with the figure of an imperial red dragon floating through dreamy white (mother-of-pearl) clouds. A limited edition of eight timepieces, this magnificent, highly symbolic 36mm timepiece augurs good fortune and happiness for years to come.
Register your interest here.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon Watch
IWC Schaffhausen presents a limited edition of the Portugieser Chronograph. The classic and elegant Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon features a 41-millimetre stainless steel case, a burgundy dial and contrasting gold-plated hands and appliques. Limited to 1000 pieces, this watch impresses with its rotor in the form of a majestic dragon, visible through the sapphire glass case back.
Purchase the watch here.
Arnold & Son Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon Watch”
This timepiece may be the most ostentatious on this list, but it had to be included. Fine watchmaking, miniature sculpture, and gemstone craftsmanship make up the two versions of Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”. This limited edition comprising eight pieces features an encounter between a dragon and the moon.
Make your purchase here.
Honorable Mentions:
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Hublot’s Titanium Dragon, produced in collaboration with artist Chen Fenwan, draws on ancient Chinese art of paper cutting. Chen Fenwan’s designs were then brought to life on the multi-layered dial and the snazzy bracelet, featuring a dynamic dragon.
The dragon’s snaky tail extends to the black rubber strap and highlights the marquetry scales matching the dial. Each scale is hand-colored and nano-vulcanized onto the strap, taking craftsmen up to eight hours — per strap.
Read more here.
Blancpain Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel
The Villeret collection is home to some excellent calendar complications, but the Traditional Chinese Calendar takes the cake. It took Blancpain five whole years to perfect this timepiece, melding two calendars into one watch. The white dial was left behind for a Grand Feu enamel green, making a lovely contrast.
Read more here.
Featured image courtesy of TAG Heuer.