After the water hare, the year of the wood dragon will begin on Saturday, February 10, 2024, according to the Chinese calendar. As every year, watch houses follow the stars and compete in creativity to honor the corresponding astrological sign.
To be ready for this new year, here are some of the most beautiful watches to discover featuring the imposing dragon!
Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton Auto
Since its creation in 1957, the Ventura has always been able to attract attention. Especially with its surprising triangular case.
Over time, Elvis Presley and the Men in Black have fallen for the charm of this Hamilton watch, which continues to reinvent itself in 2024, with this new “Dragon” skeleton dial. A creature with flaming eyes, thanks to the in-house automatic movement H-10-S that can be distinguished. Dressed in red, the seconds hand offers a striking contrast and makes this Ventura even more “aggressive”.
To enhance the visual effect, Hamilton also relies on a surprising rubber bracelet, with a 3D dragon scale pattern.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
You will have to be markedly more observant to notice the nod made by TAG Heuer in this ultra-limited edition (50 examples) of the Carrera. Rather than a massive dragon imposing its stature across the entire dial, this one discreetly joins at 6 o’clock, in the form of elegant calligraphy.
Particularly luxurious and refined, the chronograph is endowed here with a 42 mm diameter rose gold case and the dial elegantly mixes red and gold, the two flagship colors of the Chinese New Year.
To make its model even more exclusive, TAG Heuer has chosen a sapphire case back decorated with a majestic dragon and accompanied by an engraving “One of 50”.
Corum Bubble 47 Dragon Eye
The Bubble has regularly been an opportunity for Corum to transform the dial of its watch into a work of art. Sometimes it features a clown, sometimes a tiger… but for 2024, it is “obviously” adorned with a dragon.
Two limited editions will be released to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Next to the Bubble Dragon, on which seems to hover a golden dragon, it is particularly the Dragon Eye that catches the eye (of course!): beneath the iconic domed glass appears a piercing and flamboyant eye, surrounded by gold scales and cast in metal. The effect is striking, especially since the dial is in total contrast with the casing (and its iconic crown) and the black strap.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Year of the Dragon
At Arnold & Son too, two watches have been released to celebrate the new lunar year. The Luna Magna Red Gold is not only embellished with a magnificent spherical moon, but also features an impressive raised golden dragon.
As for the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold, it comes in two versions with an aventurine dial (black or blue) sprinkled with metallic powder. A sculpted dragon takes place on the lower part, while the massive moon phase indicator is traversed by a particularly realistic white mother-of-pearl star, with hand-painted shadows. The constellations of the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia, also covered with luminescent material, add a dose of poetry to this watch that puts stars in our eyes.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
At first glance, it’s hard to see that this Jaeger-LeCoultre watch was specially created for the lunar new year and the year of the dragon. But as often with the eternal Reverso, it’s by flipping the case that the magic happens.
A magnificent dragon engraved in rose gold stands amidst golden clouds and seems to emerge from the background of opaque black grand feu enamel. The contrast is striking, as is the visual effect. Even more so when you observe the creature up close and discover the play of light offered by the different textures, between the polished surfaces of the body, the fineness of the scales, and the sandblasted finish of the clouds.
Piaget Emperador
Symbol of power, strength, and prosperity, the dragon also makes an appearance at Piaget on various pieces of jewelry and watchmaking. Notably on this Emperador watch, on which the animal asserts its presence all around the 46.5 mm diameter case.
Engraved in gold, the dragon wraps around the two openings that allow one to admire the watch mechanism. This partially open face is also set with sapphires and diamonds, forming a magnificent starry sky and enabling Piaget to make a perfect synthesis between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Dragon
At Vacheron Constantin, the names of the watches are at least as complicated… as the watches themselves! And since 2012, the Swiss brand has been honoring Chinese culture with The Métiers d’Art The Legend Collection, revealing each year a (or several) watch dedicated to a zodiac sign.
As a 12-year cycle comes to an end, a powerful and majestic dragon reveals its silhouette on the dial of two new limited-edition watches (25 pieces each). Engraving and enamel come together on these two variants in 950/1000 platinum and 750/1000 rose gold, with a relief dragon standing out against a finely chiseled and enameled dial.
Other brands are expected to unveil watches featuring the dragon by February 10, 2024. G-Shock and Chopard are particularly regulars in this genre, each in a very different register. So, what will be the next watch to display the legendary creature on its dial… or elsewhere?