As an auspicious beast in ancient Chinese legends, the dragon has the characteristics of antlers, snake body, eagle claws, lizard legs and other features. It is graceful and graceful, soaring in the clouds and mist. The watches selected in this issue are inspired by the dragon, and the image of the dragon is vividly presented on the wrist, which is eye-catching. In addition, Chinese calendar watches are famous for their complex calendars and exquisite craftsmanship. We will also recommend a watch that perfectly combines the traditional lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar to welcome the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.
Vacheron Constantin
Métiers d'Art Master Series Year of the Dragon Watch
Since the launch of the zodiac watch in 2012, Vacheron Constantin has paid tribute to the alternation and innovation of the twelve zodiac signs with limited edition timepiece masterpieces every year. This stems from the brand’s deep historical relationship with China. Since 1845, the brand has established formal business relations with China and is deeply rooted in this land. This year, the Maestro series of Zodiac Legend watches has added a new piece, marking the first complete cycle of this theme work, praising the myth and legend of the dragon.
The master hand engraver carefully carved a dreamlike auspicious cloud pattern on the gold dial, which was inspired by traditional Chinese artistic patterns. In this elegant background, a giant dragon relief breaks out of the sky, winding and undulating, proudly entrenched on the dial. Its sharp claws hold fire beads that symbolize knowledge and wisdom, exuding a sense of divine majesty. The dragon is lifelike, showing every detail. There are as many as 300 dragon scales on its body alone.
The new work is available in 950 platinum and 18K 5N pink gold, each with dark blue and brown grand feu enamel dials and Mississippiensis alligator leather straps of the same color, each limited to 25 pieces. The case has a diameter of 40 mm and is equipped with the self-made 2460 G4 self-winding movement. It displays hours, minutes, day of the week and date through four windows. The first two are sliding display designs, and the last two use jumping characters.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon flip series enamel year of the dragon watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre's flip series has always been the perfect canvas for expressing artistic creativity. This year, it launched the Year of the Dragon commemorative watch, which combines the ancient craftsmanship of enamel and engraving to celebrate the dragon that has a unique status in ancient legends.
The new dial is covered with black grand feu enamel. During the baking process, the enamel pigments need to be stacked layer by layer and baked layer by layer to present a deep and three-dimensional pure black color. The dial design is simple and elegant, with faceted appliqué hour markers, orbital minute scale and dauphine hands. It perfectly matches the rose gold case and highlights the exquisite beauty of the glossy black background.
Turning the case over, a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds leaps into view. The pattern is engraved on the back of the rose gold watch, which is lifelike. The dragon's scales and clouds are polished and feature frosted rhodium-plated stripes that capture and refract light, creating unique light and shadow effects. In order to highlight the three-dimensionality and depth of the engraved pattern, the engraver used the modeled engraving process to gradually carve the metal with engraving knives of different sizes. This watch has a diameter of 45.5 mm, is equipped with the 822 manual winding movement, and is paired with a black alligator leather strap. It is only available for exclusive customization.
TAG Heuer
Carrera Chronograph Carrera Series Year of the Dragon Watch
TAG Heuer reinterprets classics this year and launches the Year of the Dragon limited edition Carrera watch to pay tribute to the Lunar New Year. This new work combines the Chinese cultural background with the brand’s racing genes, showing the strength and majesty of the dragon.
The Year of the Dragon limited edition is available in two styles: stainless steel and rose gold. The matte dial is silver and 18K 5N rose gold plated, decorated with radial sunburst patterns. There are eye-catching red and blue paint "Azurage" at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. "Engraved" chronograph dial boldly interprets the iconic Reverse Panda surface design of the Carrera series. The two watches are respectively inlaid with rhodium-plated and 18K 5N rose gold-plated hour markers and decorated with red paint. There is a calendar window at 6 o'clock and a Chinese calligraphy "dragon" printed on it.
The sapphire crystal case back is decorated with a Chinese dragon pattern in gold and black. The stainless steel and rose gold models are engraved with the words "One of 300" and "One of 50" respectively, highlighting the preciousness of the watch. The new watch has a diameter of 42 mm and is equipped with the brand’s self-made Caliber Heuer 02 self-winding movement, which provides an 80-hour power reserve and is waterproof to 100 meters. Both models are paired with burgundy alligator leather straps, with stainless steel or rose gold buckles respectively. 
Henry Moser & Cie.
Endeavor Chinese Calendar Endeavor Chinese Calendar Watch
H. Moser & Cie.'s perpetual calendar has always enjoyed a high reputation. The brand has cleverly introduced an ancient calendar system this time, integrating the traditional lunar calendar that combines the movement of the sun and the moon with the current Gregorian calendar based on the solar cycle. Combined, it simultaneously displays the alternation of the twelve zodiac signs and the changes in the profit and loss of the moon phases, accurately presenting the mystery of the movement of the sun and the moon.
The new case has a diameter of 40 mm and is made of red gold, which contrasts sharply with the midnight blue smoked dial. The dial is decorated with a radial sun pattern, and the transparent lacquer brand logo is looming. There is a crescent-shaped window on the left and right sides. The left side displays the lunar month in retrograde, and the right side displays the lunar date and moon phase in retrograde at the same time. The upper window at 12 o'clock displays the zodiac; the lower window displays the leap month, and the regular year is black. There is an off-center small seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and a Gregorian calendar date window below.
The new watch is paired with a hand-stitched brown alligator leather strap and is equipped with the HMC 210 self-winding self-winding movement. It is the first 12-year automatic calendar movement and is limited to 100 pieces. The secret lies in the use of two cams operating in parallel to transmit the counted lunar months and days with the help of contact rods. The watch interprets the connotation of traditional Chinese culture from the perspective of contemporary Western aesthetics, demonstrates simple beauty, and symbolizes the harmonious blend of two different cultures and time measurement methods.
