Celebrating the Year of Dragon with dragon-inspired watches

February 10, 2024, marked the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival; it is also the Year of Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. China is one of the biggest markets for luxury watches, and watch brands across the globe left no stone unturned in celebrating the New Year and the Year of Dragon with their dragon-inspired watches.

Take a look 10 Year of Dragon watches of 2024.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon' watch

Crafted in pink gold, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ features black grand feu enamel dials on both sides, with the front side reserved for timekeeping and a golden dragon carved on the reverse side.

Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon ref. 5345 and Classique Dragon ref. 7145BR

Breguet unveiled two timepieces paying ode to the Chinese New Year - the Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon Ref. 5345 and the Classique Dragon Ref. 7145. The former features a hand-engraved gold dragon with a pearl clenched in its claws, sailing amidst two tourbillons housed inside the 46mm platinum case.

The other, Classique Dragon ref. 7145, is a 40mm watch crafted in red gold and exhibits a red grand feu enamel dial with a hand-engraved dragon in rose gold chasing a mother-of-pearl disc amidst clouds. The watch is a limited edition of 8 for it is a lucky number for Chinese.

Bovet Récital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon

Bovet’s Récital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon in 18K red gold pays an ode to the Chinese zodiac with a captivating solid gold dragon carved on its famous writing-slope dial. The gold dragon is brought to life by Bovet’s artisans who worked on it for about 40 hours to engrave the scales, claws, and more details. The calibre 17DM06-DT visible through caseback is not left untouched either.

Chopard L.U.C. XP Urushi Year of the Dragon

For Chopard, the golden dragon has caught the pearl in its claws. Beautifully crafted with Urushi lacquer with the use of Maki-e technique by Japanese artisans, this watch is a limited edition of 88 pieces (the lucky number). The case is made with rose gold and the dial is brought to life by creating layer after layer with gold flakes in between. L.U.C 96.17-L micro-rotor movement powers this watch.

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Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon

Ulysse Nardin used rose gold and enamel to create the detailed three-dimensional dragon, in shades of red, orange and yellow, on the dial of the Blast Tourbillon Dragon that wraps around the open-worked X. The dragon here chases the pearl placed over the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. The pearl and dragon are co-related in the Chinese tradition that represents wisdom, power, and fortune. Housed inside the 45mm rose gold case, Calibre UN-172 drives the watch.

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon

Hublot expands its art of fusion by collaborating with Chinese paper artist Chen Fenwan to create the new Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon. The dragon is represented through the hands, wheels, and screws of Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang collection - the eyes of the dragon replicate the H-shaped screws, the wheels form the head of the dragon, and the hands make its mane. The design is extended to the rubber strap with the scales of the mythical creature. HUB1710 automatic calibre powers the watch.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon

TAG Heuer adds to the celebrations with the Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon timepiece in 18K rose gold and steel. The 42mm watch features a rose gold-plated sunray brushed dial with red accents symbolising luck, and a dragon motif at 6 o’clock.

On the flip side is the golden dragon tattooed over the sapphire crystal caseback. The chronograph watch is driven by Heuer 02 calibre.

IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon

Coloured in burgundy, a shade that represents fire and fortune in Chinese tradition, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph subtly brings out the spirit of the Year of Dragon. Enhancing it is the oscillating weight visible through the caseback in the shape of a dragon. The watch is 41mm in stainless steel and powered by automatic calibre 69355.

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Longines Flagship Heritage Year of the Dragon

Longines celebrates the Chinese zodiac year with its Flagship Heritage Year of the Dragon timepiece crafted in steel. The 38.5mm watch features a red fumé dial with a moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock.

Turn the watch over and there’s the caseback engraved with the dragon zodiac sign designed by Chinese graffiti artist Zinan Lam. The motif is a blend of the zodiac and peach blossoms, where the dragon appears to have a mane like the branches of a peach tree. Housed inside is the Longines calibre L899.5.

Grand Seiko Red Dragon Automatic Hi-Beat 36000

Grand Seiko gives a touch of Japanese culture to the Year of Dragon with the new Red Dragon Automatic Hi-Beat 36000 watch, limited to 88 pieces. The 40mm timepiece features a zaratsu polished steel case with a burgundy dial decorated with a three-dimensional radial pattern. The watch is powered by 9S85 calibre and comes with a steel bracelet.

The tribute extends to an optional red leather strap finished with the dragon’s scales’ pattern.

Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar

Blancpain was the first to create a series of watches with Chinese and Gregorian calendars. This year the brand has added another model to the series with the new Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar, in a rose gold case featuring a green grand feu enamel dial.

On the flip side, the oscillating weight is shaped like a dragon that chases a red ruby. The rotor also features the engravings ‘dragon’ and ‘wood’ in Chinese symbols.

Images: Courtesy Brands

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