We had the Year of the Rabbit last year and the Year of the Tiger before that, and now for 2024, the Chinese Zodiac calendar celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Like always, watchmakers all around the world are joining in the festivities and launching their own Year of the Dragon watches.
The Dragon is one of the twelve animal signs in the Chinese zodiac cycle and according to tradition, the fire breathing creature is emblematic of success, fortune, and power. Historically, they are also associated with Chinese emperors, representing imperial authority and divine power. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to inherit the dragon's positive traits, such as charisma, ambition, and intelligence. These are people that make natural leaders and are thought to bring good luck to those around them.
Does this apply to Year of the Dragon watches too? Let’s hope so, because we’ve been inundated with a huge number of models to enjoy. It’s nothing new that luxury watchmakers launch their own celebratory watches to coincide with the next cycle of the Chinese zodiac. But has anyone else noticed there seems to be more Year of the Dragon watches than normal?
Even watchmakers that don’t typically launch annual Chinese Zodiac-inspired watches are coming out of the woodwork to mark the occasion. I suppose it makes sense, since the rabbit or cockerel, while cute and charming, might not be viewed quite as cool and fantastical as the dragon. So more than ever, watchmakers are making the most of the celebrations and launching watches dedicated to the mythical creature.
Here are some of the best Year of the Dragon 2024 watches so far…
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon - Credit IWC
As you’ll soon see from this list of Year of the Dragon watches, watch brands have gone either one of two ways: over-the-top and showy or timeless and subtle. Of the latter, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon Limited Edition is one of my personal favourites. At first glance, you’d not know this was a watch inspired by a creature of fantasy. Instead, it looks like a sophisticated dress watch with a gorgeous burgundy red dial and golden appliques. It’s only when you turn the case around that you’ll find the gold-plated rotor of the automatic winding system taking the form of a beautifully detailed dragon.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Burgundy with gold-plated hands and appliques
- Movement: IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre, automatic winding chronograph
- Complications: Hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, small seconds, 30 minutes counter
- Power Reserve: 46 hours
- Strap: Black calfskin leather or burgundy rubber
- Price: £8,450
- Availability: Limited to 1,000 pieces
Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon
Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon - Credit Bell & Ross
A design a little more out there, but still undeniably cool, is the Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon. This model is inspired by the tattoo concept and delivers a single dragon motif across the entire dial, case and bracelet. The creature’s head is laser engraved onto the dial showcasing plenty of detail including scales, claws and teeth. Then the dragon’s long body and tail cleverly extends from the dial onto the case and all the way down and around the metal bracelet. The image works really well with the integrated architecture of the BR 05 model. Another nice addition is the hands which are satin-finished, rhodium-plated, skeletonised and uniquely wavy to mimic the curves of the dragon’s form.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Laser-engraved with dragon head
- Movement: BR-CAL.321 automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Strap: Laser-engraved integrated bracelet
- Price: $11,000
- Availability: Limited to 99 pieces
Hamilton Ventura Dragon
Hamilton Ventura Dragon - Credit Hamilton
One watch brand I’ve never seen launch a “Year of the” watch before is Hamilton, but for 2024, they have joined in and launched their own Hamilton Ventura Dragon watch. The design is based on the brand’s iconic shield-shaped timepiece famously worn by Elvis Presley in the 1961 musical comedy, 'Blue Hawaii'. But rather than the usual retro-inspired display, the dial is transformed to include a skeletonised depiction of a dragon’s head and its scales. The matte black dial is cut away to expose the H-10 automatic winding movement beneath outlined in gold on a gold PVD edition or black on the black PVD coated model. To match, the rubber strap is embossed with a scale-like pattern.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 42.5mm
- Case Material: Rose gold PVD or black PVD
- Dial: Black with cut-out areas to create dragon’s head
- Movement: H-10 automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Strap: Black rubber embossed with dragon scales
- Price: CHF 1,895
- Availability: Non-limited edition
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon - Credit Hublot
Arguably one of the more outlandish models in today’s line-up, and one that will appeal to a niche audience, is the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon watch. The limited edition has been created in collaboration with artist Chen Fenwan who has taken inspiration from the Chinese art of paper cutting to create a unique multi-layered dial and rubber marquetry strap. The dial recreates a paper cutout dragon sculpture using H-shaped screws for the eyes and multi-layered stripes of white, pink, grey and blue for the face. The image extends onto the integrated rubber strap which is a first for Hublot, created using a marquetry motif in the same hues found on the dial.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Titanium
- Dial: Black with multi-layered dragon sculpture
- Movement: Caliber HUB1710 automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Strap: Rubber with dragon scale marquetry motif
- Price: £25,400
- Availability: Limited to 88 pieces
Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar “Year of the Dragon”
Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar “Year of the Dragon” - Credit Blancpain
A watch delivering a more timeless, sophisticated approach to the Chinese Calendar celebrations is the Blancpain Villeret Traditional “Year of the Dragon” model. This novelty recreates the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar watch launched back in 2012 which cleverly integrated both the Chinese and Georgian calendars into one display. Twelve years have passed and with the Year of the Dragon back again, they are marking the anniversary with a new 18ct gold edition with a green Grand Feu enamel dial. A dragon motif is also included on the gold oscillating rotor of Blancpain’s calibre 3638.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 45.2mm
- Case Material: 18ct rose gold
- Dial: Green Grand Feu enamel
- Movement: Blancpain automatic calibre 3638
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, Chinese signs of the Zodiac, date, month of the Chinese calendar, indication of five elements, celestial stems and leap months, pointer date, moonphase
- Power Reserve: 168 hours
- Strap: Brown alligator leather
- Price: Available on request
- Availability: Limited to 50 pieces
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon - Credit Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre has launched their own interpretation of a dragon watch with their Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon. The ingenious flip case of the Reverso watch becomes a canvas for a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds. The engraving is set upon the 18ct rose gold case metal and leaps out from a background of black Grand Feu enamel. The design has been completed by the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares™ atelier of the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. On the opposite side, another black Grand Feu enamel dial delivers classic hours and minutes function with golden dauphine hands and markers.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 45.5mm
- Case Material: 18ct rose gold
- Dial: Black Grand Feu enamel with engraved dragon on reverse
- Movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre manually wound Calibre 822
- Complications: Hours and minutes
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Strap: Black alligator leather
- Price: $107,000 (excluding taxes)
- Availability: Made to order
Roger Dubois The Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon
Roger Dubois The Excalibur Dragon Montourbillon - Credit Roger Dubois
The Year of the Dragon also sees Roger Dubois igniting its tourbillon craftsmanship once more. This time watch fans are graced with a strikingly creative design inspired by the Year of the Dragon. This latest design is full of Maison's unbridled spirit and is truly a timepiece where expression is paramount. A tribute to the Lunar New Year, the watch encompasses intelligence, charisma and confidence, traits commonly attributed to the Dragon. Similar in ways to the 2020 Excalibur Dragon that came before it, though this time Roger Dubois really invites the wearer to set their imagination free. The Dragon has been crafted using 27 individual pieces of brass and each has been decorated with black lacquer on the sides and a pink gold treatment on the polished top surface. The pieces have been cleverly set on 25 different levels and the finished impact is a 3D vision full of volume and life. The Year of the Dragon arrives only once every 12 years and the Dragon monotourbillon is just as elusive, with only 28 pieces being released.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Pink gold 750/1000 with open case back Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Brass bezel with Pink Golden Galvanic treatment
- Movement: Manual-Winding
- Complications: Skeleton, Flying Monotourbillon
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Strap: Black calf-skin leather with quick release
- Price: Approx £177,926.78 (excluding taxes)
- Availability: 28 pieces
Ralph Lauren Lunar New Year Polo Bear
Lunar New Year Bear. Credit: Ralph Lauren.
The home of the most dapper bear we know has released a new iteration fit for the festivities of a real New Year Celebration. Ralph Lauren bring us the Lunar New Year Bear complete with a smart twist on his classic outfit. Reimagined and dressed in a festive Lunar New Year outfit consisting of velvet smoking jacket in the lucky colour of the moment, red. Complete with a satin shawl lapel and a gold dragon embroidered on the breast, black satin-striped tuxedo trousers, red socks and embroidered black velvet slippers. Clutched in his fluffy paw we see three red envelopes adorned with golden dragons, ushering in an abundance of prosperity and good health for the New Year.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 38mm
- Case Material: Stainless Steel, polished
- Dial: Cream-white lacquered. Printed Black Arabic Numbers. 3D printed Chinese Bear.
- Movement: Ralph Lauren’s RL200 caliber, a mechanical self-winding Swiss movement
- Complications: Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Water Resistant: 5 ATM
- Strap: Black grosgain silk with leather details and a steel pin buckle engraved with "Polo"
- Price: US $1750.00
- Availability: 50 pieces launching on February 10th 2024
Jacob and Co Mystery Tourbillon Twin Dragons
Jacob & Co Mystery Tourbillon Twin Dragons. Credit: Jacob & Co.
Another in the line-up of fiery new releases is Jacob & Co's Year of The Dragon timepiece, the Mystery Tourbillon Twin Dragons. Already renowned for the flurry of dragon-themed timepieces they have released over the past seven years, this wouldn't be a Dragon-watch showcase without Jacob & Co. The latest one-off piece to display their dedication to this wonderous creature houses a pair of miniature dragon sculptures, a world-exclusive movement and the only flying, central, twin, triple-axis, back-to-back tourbillon. Set majestically in a 50mm rose gold case, this is yet another example from Jacob & Co of their high levels of craftsmanship and their commitment to pursuing creativity.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 50mm
- Case Material: 18K Rose Gold
- Dial: 2 rotating rings with 2 rose gold, hand-painted dragon sculptures
- Movement:
- Caliber: JCAM32
- Complications: Mysterious Hour and Minute rings. Central, flying, twin, triple-axis tourbillon.
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Water Resistant: 30m (3 ATM)
- Strap: Red alligator leather with 18k Rose Gold folding buckle
- Price: Available on request
- Availability: Unique piece
ArtyA Tiny Purity Tourbillon
ArtyA Tiny Purity Tourbillon White Ceramic & Black Ceramic. Credit: ArtyA.
ArtyA are delivering something special in honour of Chinese New Year with not one but two dazzling new timepieces. The two Tiny Purity Tourbillon's are bound together in an exquisite box, crafted by prestigious leather artisan, Vaudaux. The Ying Yang theme is embodied through the bold colour scheme and the matte ceramic White and Black dials of the Tiny Purity Tourbillon set. With a sleek and contemporary 39mm case size, dial repositioned to 3 o'clock and a fully skeletonised display, the Tiny Purity Tourbillon is as much a work of art as it is a timepiece.
Technical Specifications:
- Case Size: 39mm
- Case Material: Matte ceramic
- Dial: 2 rotating rings with 2 rose gold, hand-painted dragon sculptures
- Movement: Double barrel, skeletonised Manufacture tourbillon
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds on the flying tourbillon
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Water Resistant: 30m (3 ATM)
- Strap: Black or white nubuck leather, with pin buckle
- Price: 266,000 EURO / 290,000 USD
- Availability: 2 unique pieces exclusively as a set
