Only once in twelve years the Year of the Dragon is celebrated. The last one happened in 2012, and the next one will occur in 2036. In Chinese culture full of symbolism, the dragon is a symbol of wisdom, success and prosperity. As the first creature to appear in Chinese myths and legends, the dragon represented imperial power, wealth and fertility.
According to Chinese astrology, on February 10 started the Year of the Wooden Dragon, which is considered as the protector of the environment and a symbol of harmony with nature. The Chinese five elements theory assigns one of the five elements – Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth – to each year, in addition to the zodiac signs. Wooden ones are believed to give the dragon vitality, creativity, growth and renewal, which also are the characteristics of the Swiss watchmaking industry.
Leading manufacturers usually mark the Chinese New Year with special editions of their prestigious watch models, decorated with motifs from the Chinese astrology. But none of them provide such inspiration as the mythical dragon. All of this newest watchmaking achievements are special in their own way, but yet the one called Tempus Fugit is unique in every aspect.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tempus Fugit
This exceptional creation is part of the ‘Objets d’art’ collection of the Parmigiani Fleurier atelier, whose owner and creative officer Michel Parmigiani has dedicated his life to pays tribute for the rich cultural history of ancient civilizations. So the legend of the Dragon and The Pearl Of Knowledge inspired him to create automaton Tempus Fugit. This work of art composed of 1000 parts symbolizes the march of time, where the pursuit for wisdom never ceases.The dragon embarks on an eternal journey, chasing a shining orb – the coveted pearl of knowledge. When the dragon approaches victory, the shining pearl slips from its claws. And so six times in every hour.
This little dragon automaton inspired by Chinese mythology, is 280 mm in height and 165 mm in diameter, weighs 6.12 kilograms. Its base and crown are made of rock crystal, silver and 10 micron rhodium plating. The waves and hours indexes are set with imperial jade. The dragon speaks for itself: weighs 1,44 kg, it is hand-forged and chiselled, polished and set with gold scales, and encrusted with first-class jade in varying shades from imperial green, light green, white, yellow, orange to brown red. The dragon’s claws and moustaches are made of rhodium – plated white gold, the eyes from rubies, and the tongue from carnelian. The pearl of wisdom is made of gold, diamonds, yellow sapphires and rubies.
The dragon has an eyes of a demon and includes the body parts of nine animals: the head of a camel, the ears of a cow, the antlers of a deer, the neck of a snake, the paws of a tiger, the claws of an eagle, the belly of a mollusc, the scales of a carp, and the mane and beard of a lion. All in all, Michel Parmigiani and his craftsmen invested more than 5,800 hours of work to shine with Tempus Fugit in the Year of the Dragon 2024.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Inspired by the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting, this 88 pieces limited edition watch is created in collaboration with the Chinese artist Chen Fenwan. Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon layers its hands, wheels and H – shaped screws to form a 3D silhouette of the dragon. Hublot presents a rubber strap with the marquetry design for the very firs time, the decorative operation is entirely hand made and takes 8 hours per strap. In a 42 mm titanium case the manufacture features an HUB1710 automatic movement and power reserve of 50 hours.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon & Luna Magna Red Gold Year Of The Dragon
Two versions of gold mechanical watches dedicated to the Year of the Wooden Dragon were made in the Arnold & Son manufacture. Both are available in black and dark blue, and there are only eight of each. The Luna Magna Red Gold is a three-dimensional model, with a hand – engraved golden dragon that curls around the dial trying to catch the pearl of wisdom – a golden moon. Price: 79.600 CHF. The dial of the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold collection features a golden dragon, a constellation and a mother-of-pearl moon. Thanks to the A&S1512 movement, it shows the hours, minutes and the moon phases.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dragon
The 39,5 mm case is made of ethical rose gold, it is powered by the mechanical self-winding movement LUC 96.17 – L with a micro rotor created in the Chopard manufacture, and has a power reserve of 65 hours. The Japanese Urushi technique was used to decorate the dial by hand with lacquer, gold dust and mother-of-pearl. Each of the 88 dragon-inspired models are hand – painted by Japanese master Minori Koizumi.
Jaeger – LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
The Reverso – a watch with two faces – created in 1931 in the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, is perfect canvas for artistic and technical expressions. On the front side of the pink gold case, measuring 45.5 x 27.4 x 9.73 mm, there is a black enamel dial, hands and hour and minute indexes. Swivelling the watch case to its reverse side reveals a small golden dragon, created by using rare techniques of craftsmanship and artistry – enamelling and engraving. It is manually wound, powered by the Caliber 822 movement, and made to order.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery – Dragon
The thinnest self-winding movement (Caliber 1120, thick 2.43 mm) made in the Vacheron Constantin Maison drives this unique piece from their collection dedicated to travel stories. The Maison established trade relations with China in the first half of the 19th century. According to that a new tribute to the ancient culture of Asia comes in the form of a mythical dragon with five claws. For the first time the Maison’s master enameller has employed a rare grisaille technique using green enamels on the dial. Total of 146 baguette cut diamonds shine on the 40 mm case in white gold, measuring just 8.9 mm thick.
Breguet Classic Dragon
The hand-engraved dragon, 12 Roman numerals and rose gold hands creates a powerful contrast to the two-tone dark red dial and mother-of-pearl disc. The Breguet rose gold classic wristwatch with a diameter of 40 mm, Caliber 502.3 and only 2.4 mm thick movement, is composed of 162 components. It does not need to be wound for 45 hours, 8 copies were made, each one is individually numbered.
Bovet Recital 26 Chapter Two Golden Dragon
It’s hard to tell whether it’s a bigger challenge to make a miniature dragon sculpture out of rose gold or to integrating it into a watch with a diameter of 46.5 mm. Together with a domed blue quartz dial that shows the hours, minutes and seconds, as well with a second time zone indicator with the 24 cities disc, representing the 24 time zones. The perfection of Bovet’s movement, Caliber 17DM06-DT, made up of 443 components, allows the time in each of the mentioned cities to be read – simultaneously. This masterpiece is manually wound, has a power reserve of five days, and is limited to 12 pieces for the world: with the dials in blue quartz, aventurine and blue guilloche.
As the fantasy writer George RR Martin says: ‘Not all men are made to dance with dragons’.
Piaget Dragon & Phoenix Watches
Piaget Maison welcomed the year of the dragon with a special remarkable capsule collection featuring ten designs of exceptional watches and a High Jewellery pieces dedicated to the Dragon and Phoenix magnetic energies. Anita Porchet, the enamelling master has been behind Piaget’s two 38 mm Altiplano watches. Limited to 38 pieces each, the dials with elegant blue dragon or a mix of red, orange and pink hues for the Phoenix, truly brings the scene to life. A 41 mm Altiplano High Jewellery Dragon Watch continue the theme. Porchet’s fine enamelwork completed a gold engraved Dragon. Trimmed with diamonds on the lugs and bezel, the watch is powered by historic 830P Manufacture ultra thin hand wound mechanical movement. The watch is limited to eight numbered editions.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year Of The Dragon
The classic and elegant Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon features a 41 mm stainless steel case, a burgundy dial and contrasting gold – plated hands and hour indexes. Limited to 1000 pieces, this watch impresses with its rotor in the form of a majestic dragon, visible through the sapphire glass case back. Burgundy – a charming shade of red – symbolising the vibrant colour of fire, traditionally used to welcome the Lunar New Year in China and promises longevity and luck. The chronograph is powered by the IWC Schaffhausen manufactured 69355 calibre, a robust and precise mechanical movement in a classic column – wheel design.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon
Manufacture Roger Dubuis has skilfully crafted the dragon using 27 individual pieces of brass – each embellished with black lacquer on the sides and a pink gold treatment on the polished top surface. In typically inventive style, the pieces are set on 25 different levels, producing a 3D vision that is full of volume and vitality. No matter which side you are looking from, you’ll see the dragon. The Excalibur watches are designed like contemporary works of art. A 42mm pink gold case displaying its monoturbillon with skeletonized movement, calibre RD512, has a 72 hours of power reserve. Limited edition of 28 pieces is available exclusively in Roger Dubuis boutiques.
Text Dubravka Tomeković Aralica
Photos Parmigiani Fleurier, Hublot, Arnold & Son, Chopard, Jaeger – LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Bovet, Piaget, IWC & Roger Dubuis
