Vacheron Constantin flexes its artisanal muscles by combining fine engraving and enamelling work on its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac — Year of Dragon watches (Photo: Vacheron Constantin)
The majestic dragon symbolises power, authority, intelligence and good fortune. Keep its benevolent energy close by donning the sacred creature on your wrist.
Created in collaboration with Chinese artist Chen Fenwan, Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese art of paper cutting. A dragon head anchors the dial, made of numerous appliqués layered upon each other that mimic the artist’s elaborate paper dragon sculpture. The body extends onto the rubber marquetry strap — a first for the brand — where each scale is coloured, nano-vulcanised and integrated by hand. Offered in a limited edition of 88 pieces, the timepiece is an exemplary instance of Hublot’s Art of Fusion mantra. (RM129,700)
Vacheron Constantin flexes its artisanal muscles by combining fine engraving and enamelling work on its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac — Year of Dragon watches. The 40mm 950 platinum version, limited to 25 pieces only, features a deep blue grand feu enamel dial matched with a blue Mississipiensis alligator leather strap. Adorned with some 300 scales, the hand-engraved dragon reaches to grasp a pearl, symbolic of knowledge and wisdom. The elegant timepiece beats to the rhythm of a self-winding Calibre 2460 G4, which powers a display of the hours, minutes, day and date through four apertures. (RM660,000)
Channel the confident, powerful and charismatic energy of the dragon with Franck Muller’s new Vanguard Slim Skeleton. The mystical creature, engraved on a customised rotor, coils around the open-worked movement and protects it like a guardian. In the case of the Vanguard Dragon Slim Skeleton Rouge, its viscera can be observed through a scarlet-tinted sapphire caseback. Red infilled hands accent the timepiece and a celebration of pave-set diamonds lend a touch of glamour to an already visually breathtaking spectacle. Just 10 pieces have been allocated for the Asia-Pacific region. (Price upon application)
In Chinese folklore, the revered dragon is often depicted with a pearl, signifying a harmonious blend of power, providence and prosperity. The new avant-garde Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon portrays a five-clawed creature, which is of imperial prestige, slithering through and out from within the Calibre UN-172 movement. Sculpted in rose gold and engraved and micro-painted by hand, the 3D model is rendered with utmost precision, from its scales to whiskers. It hovers over the mythical pearl perched atop the cage of the flying tourbillon. (RM458,700)
The Dior Grand Soir Year of the Dragon timepiece presents a portrait of this year’s reigning zodiac animal by way of fluttery gold-tone feathers on a sun-brushed dial. Its facial features are marked with marquise- and brilliant-cut diamonds while another 52 brilliant-cut gems ring around the 18-carat yellow gold bezel. A milky sapphire crystal caseback offers a translucent look into the automatic movement accented with yellow gold metallisation. The limited-edition 36mm watch (only 18 pieces have been manufactured) is paired with a grey satin strap, the perfect final touch for the refined and sophisticated number. (RM210,000)
The coveted Portugieser Chronograph by IWC Schaffhausen is now available in a deep burgundy hue for Chinese New Year. Paired with a 41mm stainless steel case and gold-plated hands and appliques, the Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon is perfect for those seeking a more timeless but no less stylish design. The gold-plated rotor, which can be seen through the transparent sapphire caseback, takes the form of a majestic dragon. Here, a “2024 Year of the Dragon” engraving also marks the timepiece. Limited to 1,000 units, the watch comes with a black calfskin and burgundy rubber strap, allowing the wearer to choose between two distinctive looks. (RM39,500)
When Blancpain first debuted its Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar in 2012, it achieved a world first by combining a Chinese calendar, Georgian date and moonphase. This year, as the manufacture enters its second 12-year cycle, the grand complication is given a refreshed look. For the first time, the special limited edition is carried out in red gold with a green grand feu enamel dial. This year’s zodiac is emblazoned on the red gold winding rotor, but a window at 12 o’clock displays the animals of each respective year. Blancpain’s artists have also updated the zodiac symbols with new portraits. The highly complex timepiece is limited to 36 pieces. (RM301,700)
Inspired by the richness of Chinese mythology, Corum’s Bubble 47 Dragon Eye finds its uniqueness in the meticulous depiction of the dragon’s peeper on its dial, meticulously metal casted and painted by hand. The sublime detail is encased in a domed sapphire crystal — characteristic of the Bubble collection — that offers a magnifying effect, allowing the wearer to fully appreciate the artisanal finesse employed. The 47mm stainless steel watch is equipped with the CO 082 automatic movement, beating at a frequency of 4Hz and offering power reserve of 42 hours. It is presented on a vulcanised rubber strap and limited to an auspicious 88 pieces. (RM34,900)
This article first appeared on Jan 29, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
