Whether you’re born in this zodiac year or would like to pay homage to this symbol of vitality, here are the watches for you to wear the enterprising rat loud and proud.
This Lunar New Year will mark the Year of the Rat, the year of strong vitality. It is said to be a year when spirits will rise and market economies boom due to the fertile characteristics of the rats – they are known for high reproductive capacities and a strong survival rate, thriving even in hardships and uncondusive environments.
Whether you’re born in this zodiac year or would like to pay homage to this symbol of vitality, here are the watches for you to wear the enterprising rat loud and proud on your wrist.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rat
The Artisan of Emotions’ ode to the Year of The Rat is an interpretation of optimism and prosperity immortalised in lacquer. Chopard is once again honouring Asian traditions by calling on the ancestral Japanese art of Urushi to create the dial of the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rat timepiece. This work of art highlights the theme of the next zodiac sign in the traditional Chinese calendar: the Metal Rat, renowned for its intelligence and perspicacity. Each of the watches in this refined and powerfully symbolic 88-piece limited edition crafted in 18-carat rose gold is powered by an ultra-thin movement produced in the Chopard Manufacture workshops: the L.U.C 96.17-L calibre. W Chopard.com
Blancpain Métiers d’Art Chinese Year of the Rat
Blancpain proudly unveils a new Métiers d’Art limited edition of eight timepieces featuring for the first time porcelain dials. Entirely hand-crafted in its Métiers d’Art workshops, the special series marks the introduction of this traditional Chinese skill within the Manufacture in Le Brassus. Each of the enameled dials has been painted freehand, with images of rats, the Chinese zodiac animal for 2020, before being fired in a kiln at 1,200 degrees. Powered by a 1154 automatic movement with hours, minutes and seconds functions, and a 100-hour power reserve, the watch, which is housed in a 33-mm diameter white-gold case, features a bezel set with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds. Each of the eight one-of-a-kind timepieces of this limited edition will be presented with an alligator strap. W Blancpain.com
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Rat
Jaquet Droz is celebrating the new Chinese zodiac cycle with four exclusive creations, which celebrate the pairing of the Rat and the pomegranate, both symbols of health and prosperity. The first two models depict two rats on a bed of leaves dotted with pomegranates, set on a Grand Feu enamel dial. Both variations are produced in red gold, and the 35 mm model is set entirely with diamonds. The case back of both models houses an oscillating weight designed especially for this limited series of 28 pieces. A second scene, engraved in red gold, depicts two rats reveling in a basket of pomegranates. For the 41 mm version, the Petite Heure Minute is available in two other animal-inspired variations that explore the same theme yet feature an onyx dial in a shade of black that is as pure as it is intense as the backdrop for a Rat holding a pomegranate in its hands. These two prestigious pieces are crafted in either red gold or white gold (case, rat, hands, and oscillating weight engraving). In addition, the white gold version is set with 272 diamonds that illuminate its ring and pallet lugs with radiant sparkle while creating contrast with the dark intensity of onyx. For each of these versions set with jewels, pomegranates are symbolised by rubies. Each of these creations has been issued in a strictly limited edition of eight pieces. W jaquet-droz.com
Panerai Luminor Sealand Year of the Rat
Panerai recalls the evocative thousand-year tradition of the Chinese Zodiac with the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm (PAM00863), a special edition created to anticipate the Year of the Rat. A distinguishing feature of every Sealand – the decorated cover with a signaling mirror inside – is hinged at 12 o’clock on the brushed AISI 316L steel case of the 44-mm model. This element protects the grey dial with its printed Arabic numerals and linear hour-markers, supplemented by luminous SuperLumiNova™ dots. The decoration of the cover has been engraved by hand by Italian master craftsmen using the ancient art ofsparsello. This technique is named after the tool, like a little scalpel, which is used to make incisions. These are then inlayed with gold threads which are carefully hammered to fill the recesses, an operation that takes up to 50 hours of work for each watch. The mechanical movement of the new Luminor Sealand – 44 mm is the P. 9010 Calibre with a power reserve of three days provided by twin spring barrels, and rapid time adjustment which also changes the calendar. With automatic winding and only 6 mm thick, it was entirely conceived and developed at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. W Panerai.com
Piaget Altiplano Year of the Rat
Harry Winston Premier Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm
Harry Winston celebrates the Chinese Year of the Rat with an exquisite rose gold Premier timepiece. Set against a vibrant red mother-of-pearl background, the artful silhouette of a rat comes to life through China’s time-honoured paper cutting tradition. Diamonds all around the bezel frame the rat, seen frolicking amidst a low hanging branch of delicate flowers and the timepiece is held to the wrist with an equally arresting red leather strap. W harrywinston.com