On February 10, 2024, the Chinese Lunar New Year calendar transitions from Rabbit to Dragon – and, as far as years go, the Year of the Dragon has to be the most bad ass.
With the Dragon being the only mythical creature of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, it has set the creativity of the world’s more artistic-leaning watch brands ablaze.
From Hublot to Chopard, we’ve gone through all the fiery limited edition watch releases and curated a round-up of all the best Year of the Dragon watches to countdown the Lunar New Year with.
Hublot – Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Releasing in an extremely limited quantity of only 88 pieces, Hublot’s Spirit of the Big Bang Titanium Dragon watch was designed and manufactured in collaboration with Chinese artist Chen Fenwan. The face is a titanium 3D silhouette of an eastern dragon with a rubber strap designed to resemble dragon scales.
The collection is now available to shop online.
Breguet – Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon 5345 Special Edition and the Classique Dragon 7145 Limited Edition
Swiss luxury watchmaker Breguet is introducing two new timepieces to commemorate the Year of the Dragon: the Classique Double Tourbillon Dragon 5345 Special Edition and the Classique Dragon 7145 Limited Edition. The 5345 features an intricately detailed dragon design, hand-engraved in gold, clutching a mother-of-pearl pearl, with laser-engraved Roman numerals and two independent tourbillons, each rotating once per minute. The 7145 is as rare as they get, with a limited and numbered edition of 8 pieces. The design uses the rare and challenging technique of Grand Feu enameling, combined with a crimson red dial and rose gold dragon appliqué. The 5345 is priced at AED 2,811,100 and the 7145 at AED 284,900.
The collection is now available through appointment via Breguet’s website.
Blancpain – Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar wristwatch
In 2012, luxury watch Maison Blancpain launched its Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar wristwatch; a model that weaves three unique complications: the moon phase, the Chinese calendar, and the Gregorian calendar. 12 years later, Blancpain’s 2024 limited edition watch refreshes its original concept with new design elements centered around the dragon. The new watch is limited to 50 pieces and retails at $72,400 USD.
Enquire here.
Roger Dubuis – The Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon
Limited to 28 pieces, the Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon is Geneva-based watch manufacturer Roger Dubuis’ tribute to the dawn of the Lunar New Year. Having previously released an Excalibur Dragon timepiece in 2020, this Monotourbillon is a new take on the dragon theme, drawing on the creature’s mythological nature and depicting a more abstract design. The dragon design was created using 27 individual pieces of brass embellished with black lacquer on the sides and a pink gold finish on its surface, creating a vivid 3D look and feel.
Enquire here.
Chopard – L.U.C XP Urushi
Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi series debuted in 2013, with its Year of the Snake commemorative watch, and will be completing its first 12-year zodiac cycle with the Year of the Dragon version this new year. In line with its 11 predecessors, the new design is adorned with traditional Japanese Maki-e lacquerwork and features a detailed dragon motif, hand-finished by master artisan Minori Koizumi. Like other entries on this list, Chopard’s release is limited to 88 pieces and retails at $31,275 USD.
IWC – Portugieser Chronograph
IWC is celebrating the Lunar New Year by redesigning its iconic Portugieser watch; a unique Portugieser Chronograph presented in a luxurious burgundy shade. A more subtle design on the watch face, the back of the face features a majestic dragon in an elegant gold. The watch is available with two different calfskin straps in black and burgundy.
The limited edition Portugieser Chronograph is available to shop online.
Jaeger-Lecoultre – Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
Swiss watch and clock manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre has redesigned its luxurious Reverso Tribute series to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The design maintains its signature Art Deco slim rectangle shape while introducing new elements of double-sided Grand Feu enamel on a bed of 18K pink gold. On one side, an elegant enameled black dial, with a richness achieved only through five layers of enamel, each followed by a specific firing and cooling process. Swiveling the watch case to its reverse side, the wearer is met with a majestic dragon in a sea of golden clouds; a design that took 80 hours to hand-engrave.
The watch is Made-to-order only and can be enquired about online.
Hamilton – The Ventura Dragon Skeleton
Featuring a rose gold casing and black skeleton dial, Hamilton’s Ventura Dragon Skeleton watch is a bold and unique addition to the Year of the Dragon lineup. The watch face depicts a fierce dragon design with piercing jade-green eyes, sitting on a custom-made black rubber strap of 3D-textured dragon scales.
The collection is available to shop online for $1,995 USD.