According to annual tradition, a whole series of watchmakers have released festive watches to coincide with the next cycle of the Chinese zodiac. This means that there is a whole series of clocks dedicated to dragons and depicting dragons.
Dragons symbolize success, luck and growth, which frankly we could all do after the last few years. Historically, the mythological creature has been associated with Chinese emperors. While it appeared on the first Chinese national flag during the Qing Dynasty, making it a spiritual and cultural figure. Let's take a look at the best Year of the Dragon clocks.
Arnold and Son Perpetual Moon Year of the Dragon
Arnold & Son has spoiled us with a pair of watches for the Chinese New Year. The Perpetual Moon is the model they usually release to celebrate the occasion. They have previously released themed versions of this watch with the inscription of the animal of the moment on them. The 2024 version depicts a pink gold dragon sculpture flying over some thin trees in a blue or black aventurine glass sky under a mother-of-pearl moon.
The second watch released for the Year of the Dragon is based on the Luna Magna model. Just like the Perpetual Moon model, it prominently features a gold dragon winding along the dial,. Although this time the night sky is represented by dark, onyx or pietersite. I particularly like the way the dragon encircles the moon, holding it with his claws like the precious treasure in his vault.
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery Dragon
In recent years, Vacheron has always celebrated Chinese New Year with the Metiers d'Art collection. However, while I still expect them to release at some point, the first watch they released in honour of the dragon is this one-off piece Les Cabinotiers Grisaille High Jewellery - Dragon. Unlike a gold sculpture, it features a depiction of the Chinese Imperial Dragon in grisaille enamel, which is stunning.
Grisaille is a technique in which the image is created by multiple layers of white enamel on a dark base. It is usually overlaid with a final layer of transparent enamel to give it a shine. In a departure from tradition, Vacheron Constantin used a translucent green final layer. To give the entire piece this distinctive green hue. It is powered by the Calibre 1120 with a power reserve of 40 hours and a thickness of just 2.4 mm.
Hamilton Ventura Dragon
In a world of Khaki Fields and Navy Frogmen, Ventura is a curious beast in Hamilton's stable. A triangular watch that is far more artistic and original than their usual instrumented watches. It was the first electric watch and Elvis' favorite. It also starred in the movie Men in Black as part of their uniform. It is these aspects that make it perfect for a special edition in honor of the dragons. It features a perforated dial in the shape of a dragon's face, with red burning eyes to match the red seconds hand.
It is an extreme avante garde, which redefines the way we perceive scaffolded screens. It uses the negative space created to shape the image and fill the space of the triangular dial. It's a clever piece of design. However, I personally feel that the intensity of the dragon's face leaves it a little cartoonish - it tries too hard to be cool like a child's fantasy. Although maybe that's a bit of jealousy on my part, because I was born in the year of the Tiger and I wish that year had some cooler watches.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
Jaeger-LeCoultre has taken the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon concept literally by hiding the dragon that is on the Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon on the back of the piece. If you reverse the dial to reveal the dragon, you'll find that this is one of the more subtle designs featured in this article. An incredibly smooth, black Grand Feu enamel base forms a sharp, clear background for the golden dragon, which seems to emerge from the inky depths surrounded by golden clouds.
The same enamel forms the base for the main dial, equipped with hour and minute hands and the corresponding Art Deco style scales. The movement inside is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 822, a mechanical movement with manual winding and a power reserve of 42 hours. I like the fact that this watch is manual because it feels like a daily winding ritual, feeding into the symbolism of the zodiac.
Chopard LUC XP Urushi Year of the Dragon
Chopard usually creates an L.U.C XP Urushi to coincide with each lunar new year and 2024 is no different. These watches are usually one of the top of the line, but with the Year of the Dragon version, I find there's a glaring issue. In particular, the Chopard logo below the 12th watch completely interferes and obscures part of the dragon's head and neck. If it was just part of the body I wouldn't have a problem with it, but come on, not covering the head of the main subject is design 101.
Looking beyond that, it's an incredibly cool rendition of the imperial dragon, created with traditional Urushi lacquer and made for Chopard by a renowned Japanese craftsman, Minori Koizumi. This watch also goes further, incorporating a mother-of-pearl tray held by the dragon. As in previous years, the watch itself is a 39.5mm gold offering with the L.U.C.C 96.17-L micro-rotor movement.
Casio G-Shock MT-G Golden Dragon MTG-B3000CXD-9AER
Casio brings its own style to the Year of the Dragon with the G-Shock MT-G Golden Dragon MTG-B3000CXD-9AER. Just like the dragon it's inspired by, the watch is something of a monster, measuring 51.9mm x 50.9mm x 12.1mm in proportion. Thankfully, this huge size creates a large surface on which Casio can create the intricate dragon scale pattern that decorates the entire case and dial of the piece.
The case actually consists of two parts. There is the outer part made of stainless steel, with an ionic coating of gold color to give it shine. And also a dark black carbon inner core for extreme durability. Durability is always the key to the G-Shock series. And the Golden Dragon is no different with a water resistance of 200 meters,. As well as high resistance to shock, centrifugal forces and vibration.
Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon
Interestingly, the Tag Heuer is one of the first watches we reviewed. And which has taken the approach of highlighting the red colour for the Year of the Dragon watch. Red is a colour associated with happiness in Chinese symbolism. It works well with the dragon's own meaning of luck and growth. In years past many more horologists focused on red over the sign of the zodiac. I just assume the dragon is so evocative that designers prefer to deal with that meaning instead.
The Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon features red chronograph counters in a steel or rose gold case. In addition, there is a dragon on the watch. It has simply been placed on the back of the watch instead of having its place of honor on the dial.
Corum Bubble 47 Dragon and Dragon Eye
Corum is known for its experimental designs. They focus on equal parts style and technology with the Golden Bridge and the recent Tourbillon Concept. The Bubble 47 is different in that it is completely focused on aesthetics. Making it the perfect canvas for a watch that celebrates the Year of the Dragon. They chose to create two designs, the Bubble 47 Dragon and the Bubble 47 Dragon Eye.
The Dragon version has a similar style to the other watches presented here. With a gold dragon emerging from a black dial. The Drago Eye is more unique, as it zooms in to present, well, a dragon's eye. A deep red orb with a piercing black pupil surrounded by a gold scaled cap. Both models are presented in black PVD steel cases with a diameter of 47 mm, which house the CO 082 automatic movement.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Hublot has never been discreet. So you can bet that with the mandate to create a dragon-inspired watch, they're not going to start toning it down now. The Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon is a feast for the eyes. With a stylized dragon face peering at you from the dial. The layered aesthetic is inspired by the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting. The piece was designed by a famous paper artist, Chen Fenwan. Chen is known for her striking use of pink and blue. Which you can clearly see represented in the colours of the Hublot dragon.
It features a 42mm diameter titanium case that ends in a custom black rubber strap with a decorative dragon scale design. The pattern is designed to look like it was produced by marquetry, a traditional, decorative art of woodworking. Between paper cutting and marquetry, Hublot are paying close attention to the fact that 2024 is the year of the wooden dragon. A lesser known aspect of the zodiac, where each year is also attributed to a material or element.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon
Interestingly, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon is one of the few watches I have seen. But it doesn't immediately place a dragon on the dial of its festive watch. Instead, it pays homage to another Chinese symbol of luck and happiness, the color red. It features a rich burgundy dial with a vertical bicompax chronograph display and gold markings. This makes it one of the most distinctive watches of the Year of the Dragon. Although I wouldn't go so far as to say it's subtle, just comparatively.
But turn the clock and you will find a dragon, hidden in plain sight in the form of the engraved gold watch. This swivel is attached to the IWC Manufacture Calibre 69355, an automatic piece with a 46-hour power reserve.
Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon
Ulysse Nardin is not one of the usual brands that produce zodiac watches every year. However, it historically celebrates the Year of the Dragon. They did it again with the new Blast Tourbillon Dragon. It's quite special because I also don't usually associate Ulysse Nardin with metiers d'art. Except for their silicone marquetry, so the rose gold dragon hand engraved and micro-painted is particularly unexpected and striking. But the idea dates back to 2012, the previous Year of the Dragon. When Ulysse Nardin produced an enameled dragon watch (Classico Enamel Champlevé Dragon) with the 2024 version taking this design and rendering it in 3D.
Another nice touch is the tourbillon frame decorated with a pearl. A precious jewel that is often depicted as protecting the eastern dragons. The tourbillon is part of the UN-172 Manufacture automatic skeleton movement, which features a platinum micro-rotor and 72 hours of power reserve. The 45mm case that houses it is made of a combination of rose gold and DLC-coated titanium.
Bell and Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon
Bell & Ross is no stranger to the occasional bizarre design and intricate artwork; just look at the Cyber Skull. However, the BR 05 Artline Dragon is a little different. Because it features an integrated sports watch design, where the entire top surface. Including the bracelet, it is laser engraved with the image of a dragon. The style of the piece is inspired by the fine line design. Also the stylization of a tattoo, giving it an urban vibe, like a piece of art from a graphic novel.
The BR 05 has a diameter of 40 mm in the characteristic rounded square shape and is made of satin brushed steel. It accommodates the BR.CAL.321 with 54 hours of power reserve, showing that the curves of the BR 05 have now been upgraded as well as those of the BR 03 41mm. This is due to Sellita upgrading the basic mechanisms used by B&R.
Swatch Year of the Dragon Collection
Swatch went all out with a collection of five watches celebrating the Year of the Dragon. These are the Dragon in Cloud Big Bold, Dragon in Wind Pay Gent, Dragon in Waves Gent, Dragon in Motion Irony Chrono and Dragon in Gold Skin Irony watches. Each is a slightly different model with its own colour and its own depiction of a dragon.
The Dragon in Wind, black with a fiery red and yellow dragon. It is the most similar to the previous versions of the zodiac signs and looks like the most conventional. Although I think my favorite is actually the Dragon in Gold. Even though it's the most feminine (they're all unisex), because the rich glow of the gold color matches the imperial image of the dragon.
Source: oracleoftime.com
