The legend of the dragon has a long history, and it is one of the symbols of the Chinese nation, symbolizing great supernatural power and supreme authority. Because of this, the Year of the Dragon is also full of good luck and soaring. As the new year comes to the occasion, many brands have taken this as inspiration to launch the Year of the Dragon watches for the Chinese market. Here's a look at a few of the recent Year of the Dragon special editions, in order of reasons for sale.
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Dragon watches at different price points
Illustrated version of this episode:
The first is from the Movado Museum collection. The watch is recognizable in its minimalist style, with its toffee needle and metal dots at 12 o'clock. However, it does not use a scale design, which is called the "time by guessing" series by players, but on the other hand, the minimalist plate also reserves plenty of space for artistic processing. Just like the 2023 Year of the Dragon limited mechanical watch, the 40mm stainless steel case is PVD-plated.
There are differences between the East and the West when it comes to the idea of the imaginary creature of the dragon. As a work for the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar, this work uses the well-known "Chinese Dragon", which simply includes "the head is like a camel, the horns are like a deer, the eyes are like a rabbit, the ears are like a cow, the neck is like a snake, the belly is like a mirage, the scales are like a carp, the claws are like an eagle, and the palm is like a tiger". There are two types of "Hidden Dragon" and "Jade Dragon" in the Museum Series Limited to the Year of the Dragon, which correspond to black and gradient green respectively. The dark lines that emerge behind the dragon echo the traditional culture of "dragon rises from clouds" and gives the wearer good wishes.
Sellita SW200-1机芯
The official price of this work is 7,000 yuan, and it is equipped with the SW200-1 automatic movement, with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and can provide 38 hours of power reserve, which is the mainstream solution chosen by most brands in the same class.
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The Boer Engineer "Tamron" limited edition combines it with the brand's superior technology, the miniature gas lamp, to truly achieve the "finishing touch". Based on the popular Ingenieur series, it continues many of the collection's features, including a 40mm diameter, a 904L case, a small convex lens, a miniature gas lamp glow-in-the-dark light, and consistently excellent anti-magnetic and impact resistance.
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As a special edition for the New Year, the plate uses crimson as the main color, red not only represents auspiciousness and joy in traditional Chinese culture, but also has the meaning of "good luck". Buried beneath the dragon's eye is a miniature gas lamp that glows orange at night or in low-light environments. This design cleverly uses the idiom allusion of "dragon", combined with the brand's advantageous technology, and the unique creativity is impressive.
Models: H24535332 and H24525332
Hamilton has also recently launched the Adventure Skeleton Dragon. The collection is known for its distinctive triangular case, and the Hamilton Expedition is also known as the "Elvis" by virtue of its association with Hollywood films, especially Elvis Presley. The new Adventure Skeleton Dragon measures 42.5 x 44.6 mm and is available in PVD gold or black.
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To see the shape of the dragon's head, the wearer needs to rotate the watch 90 degrees clockwise (i.e. with the crown facing up) so that the dragon appears on the dial with the eye in front of him. While adding fun to the watch, it also makes clever use of the shape characteristics of the case. At the same time, a black rubber strap engraved with dragon scales echoes the theme.
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The Hamilton H-10-S automatic calibre is a skeleton version of the regular H-10. As a result, the movement retains almost the same performance as the H-10, including a long reserve of 80 hours, a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, a jewel bearing number of 25, a metal escapement and a built-in Nivachron® balance spring.
The Longines Replica Moon Phase Watch Dragon Year Zodiac Special Edition, limited to 888 pieces worldwide, is in line with the Chinese's love for the number "8". The 38.5 mm diameter of this stainless steel case features a "Dragon's Red" dial that gradually deepens from the center to the edges. The moon phase display is located at 6 o'clock on the dial, and the numerals around it are the date display.
The shape of the dragon head engraved on the case back was designed by the artist Mr. Lin Zinan. At the heart of the watch is the L899.5 self-winding mechanical movement, which has a silicon balance spring that is resistant to magnetic fields and has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and is water-resistant to 30 metres.
The Baume & Mercier Rivera, known for its sporty style and twelve-sided bezel, is offering a limited edition of 150 pieces each to welcome the upcoming Year of the Dragon.
The men's version has a diameter of 43 mm, and the date moon phase disc is in a festive red color, with a sense of prestige outlined by gold lines. The caseback depicts a majestic five-clawed golden dragon, with the Baume & Mercier Manufacture BM14-1975 AC1 calibre automatic movement with a 120-hour power reserve, circular plates, a sandblasted plate with a snailing motif, and a skeleton oscillating weight with the "Côtes de Genève" and snailing motifs.
The women's model has a diameter of 33 mm and is designed in the same vein as the men's model. The mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with a transparent mountain and sea pattern, and the four diamond-set diamonds on the dial, made from brilliant-cut Wesselton diamonds, and presented with a gold-plated PVD steel ring on the side of the case, symbolize nobility, glory and wealth, and highlight the beauty of the design with a bright and refined design.
In addition, the TAG Heuer Carrera chronograph combines the richness of Chinese culture with TAG Heuer's racing DNA, highlighting tradition and innovation while showcasing the essence of the Year of the Dragon. It is available in 18-carat rose gold and stainless steel, with a limited edition of 300 pieces in stainless steel and a public price of RMB 46,700 in the stainless steel version, and a limited edition of 50 pieces in rose gold at a public price of RMB 167,100.
Both models feature rhodium-plated and 18-carat 5N rose gold-plated hands, accented with red lacquer. The "Inverted Panda Disk" at 3 and 9 o'clock has a striking red color. The watch is decorated with two functional dials and a strap in the color of red, which has a beautiful meaning in traditional Chinese culture. The 6 o'clock direction of the plate is depicted with the calligraphy "dragon" character, which is the finishing touch of this work.
Heuer Caliber 02
The sapphire case back is engraved with the words "LIMITED EDITION" and a limited edition message, and a dragon motif. Through the caseback, the in-house Heuer 02 calibre is visible, with a vertical clutch and column wheel, providing a power reserve of up to 80 hours.
Model: IW500125 (2012)
IWC has a long tradition of introducing zodiac watches. As early as 2012, the Portuguese Automatic Edition for the Year of the Dragon (Ref. IW500125) features an oscillating weight set with a dragon emblem made of 18K gold and engraved with the words "DRAGON YEAR – ONE OUT OF 888". After a zodiac cycle, the new Year of the Dragon Special Edition for 2024 uses the Portugieser chronograph as the base and expresses the joy and peace of the New Year through the Burgundy red dial.
Compared to the 2012 Year of the Dragon Special Edition, which was limited to 888 pieces, the new release has been adjusted to 1,000 pieces, and the stainless steel case has reduced the price, creating an opportunity for more players to experience it. The 41 mm case with a burgundy red dial, gold-plated hands and indexes, and an additional strap are the highlights of this new limited edition. Flip it to the back to reveal the dragon carved by the oscillating weight, echoing the theme of the Year of the Dragon.
As IWC's main in-house chronograph movement, the 69000 series is widely used in pilot's chronographs, Portuguese chronographs, Portofino chronographs and other series. The 69355 calibre is the calendarless model of this series of movements, featuring a small seconds counter at 6 o'clock, a chronograph minute counter at 12 o'clock, and the elimination of the chronograph chronograph counter.
Masters of the Art Series Chinese Zodiac Legends - Year of the Dragon
The works presented next are from Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d'Art collection. The new "Legend of the Chinese Zodiac" Year of the Dragon features a hand-engraved golden dragon on the dial, and master engravers and enamellers use their expertise to reinterpret Chinese and Swiss paper-cutting techniques.
The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Dragon is 40 mm in diameter and available in 18-carat pink gold (Ref. 86073/000R-B983) and 950 platinum (Ref. 86073/000P-B982). Three-dimensional carved dragons appear on the surface of the plate, and its scales, whiskers and claws are all hand-polished. The four apertures on the dial display the hours, minutes, day of the week and date.
2460 G4 calibre self-winding
Powered by the Vacheron Constantin 2460 G4 calibre self-winding, this movement is engraved with the Poinçon de Genève and is the embodiment of the Maison's heritage and savoir-faire.
AltiplanoZodiac生肖腕表
Since 2012, Piaget has been launching its zodiac creations every year. This year's new Altiplano Zodiac watch, created by master enameller Anita Porchet, is available in two versions, the blue dragon and the red phoenix, both with a 38 mm diameter, and each limited edition of 38 pieces.
It can be adorned with a majestic blue dragon or a red, pink or orange phoenix, which is complemented by a white and grey mother-of-pearl dial. The use of cloisonné enamel and gold engraving gives life to mythical creatures, bringing them to life.
There is also a 41 mm Altiplano with a blue dial adorned with a gold-engraved dragon. The dragon had red lacquered eyes and a mysterious black opal in its front paws. Powered by the ultra-thin 830P hand-wound movement, this watch is limited to 8 pieces. The above special watches for the Year of the Dragon have different product positioning and prices, including works priced from 7,000 yuan to one million. Which one do you think has the best understanding and use of the image of the "dragon" and is expected to be named the "Dragon Watch of the Year"?