With the dragon being among the most favoured and prosperous of the Chinese zodiac, it is little wonder that the mythical is the ultimate muse of Lunar New Year 2024 – and it’s no exception for the world’s best watchmakers. Here, the 9 watches that bring the dragon to life through show-stopping craftsmanship and incredible design.
Dragon motif timepieces stand out as both a cult statement and a nod to the enduring influence of Oriental aesthetics. Breathing life into this mystical creature, however, requires exquisite craftsmanship, from hand-engraving to the use of grisaille enamel. The result is striking, as seen in the following watches marking the Year of the Dragon this Lunar New Year 2024.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS EXTRAORDINARY DIALS COLLECTION MIDNIGHT DRAGON TERRE
42mm white gold case. White gold bezel, set with round diamonds. Dial decorated with sculpted white gold flowers and leaves, vallonné enamel, sculpted white gold dragon head and tail, diamonds, miniature painting, white mother-of-pearl marquetry work. White gold crown, red cabochon-cut enamel. Black alligator strap.
Discover Van Cleef & Arpels’ Extraordinary Dials here.
DIOR GRAND SOIR CNY DRAGON 2024
36mm polished stainless steel case. Yellow gold bezel, set with 52 round diamonds. Sun-brushed dial decorated with a golden dragon head and feathers, and set with diamonds. Silver satin strap with additional alligator strap. Self-winding movement. Water-resistant to 30m.
ARNOLD & SON LUNA MAGNA RED GOLD YEAR OF THE DRAGON
44mm red gold case. Pietersite dial, decorated with a hand-engraved, red gold dragon. Astronomical moon phases featuring a large moon composed of red gold (5N) and pietersite. Additional indicator of moon’s age on the back. Handwound A&S1021 calibre. 90 hours power reserve. Water resistant to 30m. Limited to 8 pieces.
Discover the Arnold & Son Luna Magna Red Gold Year of the Dragon here.
PIAGET ALTIPLANO DRAGON ZODIAC HIGH JEWELLERY WATCH
41mm white gold case, set with diamond. Dial decorated with paillonné enamel work by Anita Porchet, set with a rose gold engraved dragon and a black opal. Ultra-thin, hand-wound 830P calibre. Limited to 8 pieces.
BELL & ROSS BR 05 ARTLINE DRAGON
40mm satin-polished steel case. Laser-engraved upper bezel, dial and bracelet with dragon motif. Self-winding BR-CAL.321 calibre. 54 hours power reserve. Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 99 pieces.
Discover the Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon here.
HARRY WINSTON CHINESE NEW YEAR AUTOMATIC 36MM
36mm rose gold case, set with 118 brilliant-cut diamonds. Gold base dial, decorated with white mother-of- pearl and a red lacquer dragon, set with diamonds and a pearl. Crown set with a pearl. Self-winding HW2010 calibre. Limited to 8 pieces.
Discover the Harry Winston Chinese New Year Automatic 36MM here.
HUBLOT SPIRIT OF BIG BANG TITANIUM DRAGON
42mm satin-finished and polished titanium case. Multi-level dial with 3D effect, based on the works of paper artist Chen Fen Wan. HUB1710 self-winding movement. 50 hours power reserve. Black rubber strap with dragon scale decoration. Additional grey fabric with velcro strap. Limited to 88 pieces.
Discover the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon here.
CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE DRAGON
39.5mm rose gold case. Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer technique with a special Year of the Dragon scene. L.U.C 96.17-L self-winding movement. Two barrels stacked according to Chopard Twin technology. 65 hours power reserve. Water resistant to 30m. Limited to 88 pieces.
Discover the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dragon here.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN LES CABINOTIERS GRISAILLE HIGH JEWELLERY – DRAGON
40mm white gold dial, set with 146 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 7.10 carats). Crown set with an inverted brilliant-cut diamond. Dragon motif green grisaille enamel dial. Self-winding 1120 calibre. 40 hours power reserve. Unique timepiece.
Discover the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery – Dragon here.
Art Direction: AUDREY CHAN
This story first appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.
