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9 Best Dragon-Inspired Watches To Mark Chinese New Year 2024

The Chinese Zodiac calendar is the ultimate representation that a New Year is upon us as a new animal takes control. Last year in 2023, the Rabbit was the go-to source for Chinese New Year inspired watches.

Now, top luxury brands have kept their eyes peeled and unveiled a glitzy new tray of dragon inspired pieces for us to feast upon…ready to go for The Chinese New Year in 2024.

The Dragon is a huge presence within the Zodiac calendar. Representative of a number of characteristics, including fortune, wealth, luck and charm, it’s actually understood that most babies in China are born during these years. A bit like predicting the Rolex Daytona waitlist, do they know something that we don’t?

So, while we enjoy the innocence of the rabbit like in the staggeringly beautifully finished Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art piece last year, our hearts are sold on the fire-breathing wow-factor of the most mythical of beasts.

Watchmakers have obviously taken note as we would like to take you on a journey to the Far East, to delve where no site has delved before.

It appears that the likes of IWC, TAG Heuer, Vacheron Constantin and JLC have been as busy as bees in their horological hives producing golden nectar pieces worthy of celebrating the Chinese New Year’s icon, The Dragon. After all, it only comes around once every twelve years.

Starting on February 10th 2024 to January 28th 2025, our horological scopes tell us this is the year of opportunities and change… Great!

Without further ado, it’s time to reveal the best dragon inspired watches to celebrate Chinese New Year 2024. As Nelly, owner of legendary Patek Philippe Nautilus 5719, once described, it’s going to get Hot in Here!

1. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon 42mm

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang collection is a brilliant play on the iconic Big Bang collection released at Baselworld 2005.

Source - Hublot

Taking inspiration from the initial Hublot model release date in 1980, they were released by Jean-Claude Biver as a flagship collection. Characterised by a porthole style dial and a screwed in bezel, they have swiftly grown and evolved into the Spirit of Big Bang.

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang reverts away from the porthole cases to a stylish tonneau case shape. This has been followed through into this brand new Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon 42mm.

Measuring 42mm x 13.8mm, the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon is quite large, but they are crafted out of titanium which is naturally more lightweight and ergonomic than steel. Made up of 6 H-shaped screws across the bezel, they are fixed in with an integrated rubber strap. The case is slightly curved, allowing the satin brushed finish to shine.

Chinese New Year influence doesn’t get much bigger or grander than this particular piece. Not only is there a Zodiac calendar reference, but the face is also made up of a Chinese paper cutting style, one of the most popular decorative handicrafts in the nation.

Artist Chen Fen Wan is a pioneer of such a skill and so she is the perfect influence for this Hublot piece.

The dial cleverly blends components into the shape of the creature's head, such as the H-shaped screws taking the form of the eyes. Hmmm, my Spidey senses are tingling for a minute. Reminds me of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Spider-Man with its white gold Spider-Man figurine on the dial that's seemingly suspended in mid air.

How’s that for craftsmanship!

Coloured in pink, blue and grey, the creature is designed in such a way to give a 3D aesthetic over the black background. Robust and as flamboyant as Liberace thanks to the dragon skin style strap, it is powered by the in-house HUB1710.

These wondrous watches deliver 28,800VpH and a 50 hour power reserve that is bolstered with 27 jewels.

Locked onto a black rubber strap which features a delightful tail of the creature in the form of non-vulcanised marquetry, rock this with a black suit to let the colour of the watch pop for those more special occasions.

Official Specs

Diameter	42mm
Material	Titanium
Thickness	13.8mm
Movement	HUB1710
Power Reserve	50 hours
Strap	Black Rubber
Reference	646.NX.6600.RX.CHF24

- You can buy a Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon 42mm at retail for £25,400 as of January 2024.

2. Longines Heritage Flagship Moonphase Year of the Dragon

The Longines Flagship was originally released in 1957, the same year as the legendary Speedmaster with a beautifully clean face and classic circular case shaping.

Longines celebrated the storied line by releasing a fantastic update in the form of the Flagship Heritage.

Source - Longines

For this model, the Longines Flagship is maintained but given a fresh styling in the form of a Year of the Dragon. Sized at a 38.5mm casing, they are given a very modern diameter which is perfect for the everyday wearer.

Keeping the circular case, the lugs are tight and not overly present on the wrist. Featuring a polished finish along the top to give you a mirror like sheen, the case sides are brushed in order to let the polished aesthetic be even more present.

The face is red hot in the centre and graduates to black on the dial’s periphery. It is slightly domed which enhances the brightness of the red when compared with the black edging. Makes you think of a certain fire-breathing animal…

The hour markers are gilt appliques, just like the golden sword shaped hands. It features a moonphase complication at 6 o’clock which features a red snailed cover. Given a date chapter ring, the yellowed moon and stars clearly stand out against the blue night sky.

Go on, flip the watch over, we dare you. Reveal the beastly goings on bearing witness to a stunning medallion of the dragon’s head. A sight for sore eyes you might think but nowhere near as scary as the below if you want to buy a watch with frighteningly excellent flex appeal;

8 Of The Most Spooktacular Watches For Halloween

The Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase is powered by the L899.5 calibre. Fitted with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring that capably fights against those pesky phones and computers, the movement beats at 25,500 VpH with a sublime 72 hour power reserve.

More than capable of accompanying you in the air for a long weekend getaway or extended overseas business trip.

Fitted onto a black alligator leather strap, why not adorn this cracker with a burgundy cashmere jumper or a navy blue suit.

Official Specs

Diameter	38mm
Material	Steel
Thickness	12.40mm
Movement	L899.5
Power Reserve	72 hours
Strap	Black Alligator Leather
Reference	L4.815.4.09.2

- Capped at 888 models, you can buy a Longines Heritage Flagship Moonphase Year of the Dragon at retail for £2,950 as of January 2024.

3. IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year Of The Dragon

Horology has never been the same after the initial release of the IWC Portugieser in 1939.

After two Portuguese merchants approached the brand for an oversized wristwatch, the Portugieser has kicked off a whole trend of large, dress watches.

Source - IWC

Now, they have gone one step further by imbuing The Zodiac calendar into the legendary lineup. Introducing, The IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year Of The Dragon.

Sized at 41mm, they are made out of steel. This isn’t bad considering the oversized title that follows the collection. Fitted with pushers on either side of the crown on the case. The bezel is exceptionally thin which allows the face to look even larger with immense clarity.

The face is where the fun begins. Given a beautiful red sheen, the face totals golden Arabic numerals and leaf shaped hands. The combination of red and gold is a stunning marriage, especially since it closely ties in with the colour scheme of Chinese Lunar New Year events.

Bizarrely, there is no lume on any of the hour markers or hands. We’ll let that slide for a second as we can easily see this effortlessly glide from the boardroom to the red carpet. Combined with a low level water resistance of 30 metres, we would save this for only the most formal events!

There are two chronograph functions at 12 and 6 o’clock which are powered by the pushers.

Made up of a 30-minute sub counter residing at 12 o’clock and a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, they are given a red snailed background and golden tints on the numerals and hands. The flange is given a quarter scale ring that's adorned in gold.

Powered by the Calibre 69355, they offer a 28,800VpH and a weekend-proof 48 hour power reserve. Connected via a black calfskin leather strap, we can see you wearing this with a black polo shirt or snappy red tux if you want to enhance your wrist power.

Official Specs

Diameter	41mm
Material	Steel
Thickness	13.1mm
Movement	69355
Power Reserve	48 hours
Strap	Black Calfskin Leather
Reference	IW371629

- You can buy an IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year Of The Dragon at retail for £8,450 as of January 2024.

4. TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 42mm

The TAG Heuer Carrera is what Pepsi is to the drinks industry. An icon. A huge name with indescribable influence behind it. Launched in 1963, the line was launched at Basel Fair for a new breed of petrol heads.

Inspired by the iconic Carrera Panamericana race, a border to border race across 2km plus of risque Mexican terrain, they are riddled with motorsport heritage and swiftly become the go to timepiece for race fans globally.

Source - TAG Heuer

Measuring 42mm x 14.33mm, the latest Carrera Chronograph 42mm with Zodiac Calendar influences performs major alterations to the traditional Carrera styling. Crafted out of rose gold, they do not have a bezel with a tachymetric scale which is a huge part of the racing style.

However, this is actually reminiscent of the original 1963 construction delivered by Jack Heuer. Ah, the times of yesteryear.

Fitted with two pushers on either side of the crown, the tops of them are polished, allowing the tight lugs to seamlessly blend into the case. The dial is given an 18K rose gold plate which allows the highly contrasting red sub counters to be instantly visible at 3 and 9 o’clock. There is a small seconds sub counter based at 6 o’clock which is skeletonised and below that, a date aperture.

Look above the small seconds sub counter at 6 o’clock. There is a calligraphic dragon emblem, linking to the Zodiac calendar. The hour markers are made out of rose gold just like the hands and daubed in a rather fetching red lacquer.

Water resistant to 100 metres, the back is given an exhibition style, allowing a golden dragon with black scales to run around the oscillating rotor. The Heuer 02 calibre is fitted with a vertical clutch and column wheel to ensure a robust 80 hour power reserve and 28,800VpH.

Connected to a red alligator leather strap, we can see you wearing this with a camel overcoat when heading to the big meeting or a beige turtleneck when out on the fairway.

Official Specs

Diameter	42mm
Material	Rose Gold
Case Thickness	14.33mm
Movement	Heuer 02
Power Reserve	80 hours
Strap	Red Alligator Leather
Reference	CBN2048.FC8323

- Capped at 50 pieces, you can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 42mm at retail for £19,650 as of January 2024.

5. Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year Of The Dragon

The L.U.C XP Urushi is the most apt collection to feature the brand new Year Of The Dragon. The line has already displayed watches like the Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen which features the traditional Chinese time and the Urushi Year of the Pig model.

And we are simply squealing with delight over this new model.

Source - Europa Star

For this model, Chopard retains the collection's beautiful allure and goes further with the Chinese heritage. Sized at 39.5mm, the watches are very ergonomic and an accessible sizing. Crafted out of 18K rose gold, these pieces are very luxurious and ever so slender on the wrist with a thickness of just 6.8mm.

The dial is perhaps the most interesting part of the timepiece. Created by legendary craftsman Minori Koizumi, it is constructed with the instantly recognisable Maki-e technique. Requiring at least 20 hours of work per dial, they require many layers comprising gold flakes and Urushi lacquer.

The background is designed into a Chinese New Year inspired creature atop a black background. The watches are powered by the strong L.U.C 96.17L. The in-house calibre is fitted with a 22K gold micro rotor that offers a 28,800VpH and a 65 hour power reserve.

Perfect for all your weekend activities, dressed up or down.

Connected onto a black alligator leather strap, they are secured via an 18K rose gold pin. We can see you pulling this off with a charcoal suit or a bohemian loose white shirt on those cool summer nights.

Official Specs

Diameter	39.5mm
Material	Rose Gold
Thickness	6.8mm
Movement	L.U.C 96.17-L
Power Reserve	65 hours
Strap	Black Alligator Leather
Reference	161902-5079

- Capped at 88 pieces, you can buy a Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year Of The Dragon at retail for £24,700 as of January 2024.

6. Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon

During 2019, Bell & Ross released the BR 05 collection, welcoming in a fresh urban design to the iconic squared shape. 5 years later, Bell & Ross used this line again to be the horological canvas for the red hot Artline Dragon. How time flies!

Source - Bell & Ross

The Artline is a very specific branch of the BR 05 collection. Representing the artistic side of the BR 05, they feature only the finest models that have undergone rigorous creative changes. No room for mundanity here!

Sized in a 40mm steel case, the steel undergoes both a satin-finish and a laser engraved aesthetic. Secured with a screw-down crown and crown guards, you can be sure that this pretty picture is still a titan on the wrist. That explains the 100 metres water resistance.

The dial is another masterpiece that wouldn’t look out of place in the Louvre. And with added panache. Featuring a Dragon engraved centre, the hour and minute hands are rhodium plated and feature a satin finish. Filled with black lacquer, the bezel is similarly engraved with a floral style pattern.

The watches are powered by the excellent BR.CAL-321. This automatic winding calibre offers a 54 hour power reserve which is over 2 days ensuring you can take this baby with you for all your short term travelling jaunts.

The steel strap is firstly laser engraved on each link before it's actually assembled. How’s that for first class construction!

We can see you wearing this with a cream shirt or a burgundy polo shirt.

Official Specs

Diameter	40mm
Material	Steel
Thickness	10.33mm
Movement	BR-CAL.321
Power Reserve	54 hours
Strap	Steel
Reference	BR05A-DR-ST/SST

- With a limited edition run of 99 pieces, you can buy a Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon for £7,200 as of January 2024.

7. Vacheron Constantin Métiers D'art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac - Year Of The Dragon

Vacheron Constantin have started to earn a bit of a reputation for their Chinese Lunar New Year watches. First things first. What exactly is metiers d’art in watchmaking? Defined as “Art Professions”, it refers to the most specialised forms of luxury.

Following on from the Year of The Rabbit last year, the Métiers D'art collection is the outstanding premium platform Vacheron Constantin uses to flaunt their luxury refinery.

Source - Vacheron Constantin

And boy does it not disappoint. Crafted out of pink gold, the Vacheron Constantin circular watch comes in at 40mm. This isn’t much of a problem considering the juicy stuff that resides within. Given a thickness of around 12.72mm, the watches are water resistant to 30 metres. Not great, we hear you cry. But hang on a tick.

The dial is given an enamel warm golden brown with the Chinese New Year creature sitting proud at the centre. Given a cloud motif as the backdrop, the mythical creature is made out of solid gold and finished by hand.

Utilising decoupage from China and Switzerland, master engravers have ensured the piece is finished to an exceptionally high quality.

The dial boasts four displays totalling hours by aperture, calendar aperture, minutes by aperture and day of the week. After all, there are no hands or hour markers so we need as much info as we can get!

The 2460 calibre offers a modest 40 hour power reserve, 28,800VpH and a Hallmark of Geneva seal, guaranteeing ultimate precision and accuracy. Locked onto a brown leather strap, we can see you pulling this off with a brown cashmere jumper or a tan suede jacket.

Official Specs

Diameter	40mm
Material	Rose Gold
Thickness	12.72mm
Movement	2460 G4
Power Reserve	40 hours
Strap	Brown Leather
Reference	86073/000R-B983

- You can buy a Vacheron Constantin Métiers D'art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac - Year Of The Dragon at retail for £100,000 as of January 2024.

8. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’

Jaeger-LeCoultre has immense prestige when it comes to releasing Zodiac calendar inspired watches.

Source - Jaeger-LeCoultre

For example, we recommend you look at their 2022 Reverso Tribute enamel “Tiger” edition which displays a gorgeous rose gold casing with a tiger emblem. They have continued their great legacy with the latest release, entitled the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Dragon”.

Crafted out of 18K pink gold, the 45.5mm x 27.4mm case is given a very accessible 9.73mm height. The Reverso styling is maintained, allowing the case to be flipped over revealing a highly legible black dial on one side, and a mythical emblem on the other.

The black dial is attained out of glossy black Grand Feu enamel. The creature side is golden which clearly stands out against the black accents. Furthermore, the cloud design behind the creature is sandblasted which makes the animal stand out even further.

The other side is a standard Grand Feu enamel black background which utilises 5 different layers of enamel, all of which require 8 hours for a few days before completion.

You might say they are the Grand Master experts of this technique in this sector requiring expert craftsmanship of the highest order. Other highlights include rose gold Dauphine hands and tapered hour markers.

The watches are powered by the Calibre 822. Running both the hours and the minutes, the self-winding calibre offers an average 21,600VpH and an uninspiring 42 hours of power reserve.

Fixed onto a black alligator leather strap, the watches look great against a burgundy suit shirt or grey polo shirt.

Official Specs

Diameter	45.5mm
Material	Pink Gold
Thickness	9.73mm
Movement	Cal. 822
Power Reserve	42 hours
Strap	Black Alligator Leather
Reference	Q39324D1

- You can buy a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon at retail for around £84,300 as of January 2024.

9. Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel

Blancpain have been celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year since 2012 when they originally released the Villeret Traditional Chinese New Year Calendar.

Now in 2024, Blancpain has thought it wise (like the great toothed beast) to introduce a fresh play on the Chinese New Year Zodiac calendar.

Source - Blancpain

With a case diameter of 45.2mm, the rose gold watches feature 30 metres of water resistance which isn’t great, but can be expected for the absolute artistry of the timepiece. The lugs are kept short and sweet which leads the brown leather strap into the case.

The dial attains its beautiful sheen via a Grand Feu style. This rich green shade allows the golden Roman numeral markers to stand out. In addition, this allows the rose gold skeletonised hour and minute hands, plus the bendy, yes, you heard that right, serpentine central hand that links to the calendar ring on the periphery.

The dial is made up of silver enamel sub counters which are made with Mandarin text, leaning into the Chinese New Year and Zodiac calendar history. The 9 o’clock sundial relates to the lunar months and days while the 3 o’clock sundial links in with yin and yang emblems.

There is a sub counter at 12 o'clock that has a golden dragon symbol and all other Zodiac animals like the ox and the pig.

At 12 o’clock, there is another sub counter that shows the hours in Mandarin with a moon phase indication at 6 o’clock. Powered by the Calibre 3638, the watches have a 4Hz frequency alongside a jaw dropping 168 hour power reserve. Yep, this may just cover your weekend and more!

Attached to a brown alligator strap, you can adorn this with a black leather jacket or grey tee for a super casual yet sleek look.

Official Specs

Diameter	45.2mm
Material	Red Gold
Thickness	15.1mm
Movement	Cal. 3638
Power Reserve	168 hours
Strap	Brown Alligator Leather
Reference	0888 3632C 55B

- Capped at 50 pieces, you can buy a Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel at retail for £63,800 as of January 2024.

Conclusion

We’ve finally reached the end. Covering the best Dragon watches paying tribute to the Chinese New Year, we’ve covered every facet, angle, bevel and lug of the storied year and the watches that will make you pop!

Wearing a Chinese New Year inspired novelty does take a certain amount of bravery and courage just like the mythical beast we have been talking about. Besides, it's a strong deviation away from the classical designs and plain faces of standard watches.

Therefore, we recommend that you keep these models for those very swanky affairs and high level events. On the other hand, sometimes you need to have a little precious metal charm in order to make you stand out in a crowd.

If you want to see in the Lunar Chinese New Year with gusto and show your dressy style with a sporty edge, we recommend the Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline. Steel and capable of reaching 100 metres of water resistance. This is all for you if you are ready to take the proverbial plunge.

Why not splash the cash and buy a Vacheron Constantin Métiers D'art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac - Year Of The Dragon. However, if you feel that money is a tad strapped after Christmas, you can opt for The Longines Heritage Flagship Moonphase Chinese New Year edition.

So, you’ve found your timepiece. You’re ready to drop the cash. Question is, where should you go in order to get your hands on your desired model at the best possible price?

The industry's best kept secret for unleashing multiple offers, quick turnaround and a trusted network of the most reliable retailers, there’s no Chinese whispers going on here…

And a "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐) to you all.

Looking to buy a Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium with Chinese New Year influences to show your chic side? Want to go all out and buy a Vacheron Constantin to prove your horological prowess? Why not contact ChronoHunter here to discuss your specific purchase or for a no-obligation estimate if you want to sell your watch.

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