Jaquet Droz Celebrates Chinese New Year With Year Of The Ox Watch

The Chinese New Year begins today, and if you are into the Chinese zodiac, you already know that this is the year of the ox. To celebrate, Jaquet Droz creates two new limited series for the Chinese New Year. In fact, the Swiss brand has been offering two different pieces to honor the zodiac each year, and this year’s offerings don’t disappoint – except for the fact that they are only created in limited editions.

The two editions are the hand-painted  Jaquet Droz Peitite-Heure Minute Buffalo and the Petite-Heure Minute Relief Buffalo. As the names imply, they each honor the strong buffalo and the traits of hard working, persevering, being reliable and being one-with-nature.

One Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Buffalo edition features the buffalo hand-painted on the dial.  Two motifs are offered, one is a stronger look for men and the watch measures 41mm in diameter, while  the other image for the 35mm watch offers  a softer look for women.  In one image the ox is in a pond of water in the forefront, looking straight out of the dial, with mountains in the background. On the second watch, which is set with diamonds on the case and lugs, the ox is a little further back in the water and has his head looking down  toward a patch of green grass.  Each dial is meticulously hand painted in miniature  — making each piece unique.

In the Chinese zodiac, each animal is traditionally connected with an element. This year, that element is metal. Combined with the ox, metal serves to heighten its qualities as well as its ability to do everything in its power to attain goals and achieve dreams. This makes the second edition of the Chinese New Year watch – the Relief edition – even more special, as the ox or buffalo is carved from metal.

Offered in 18-karat white or rose gold, the Relief edition features an ox carved of gold and standing atop a gold bed of straw in a serene and calming manner. Behind him is a plum tree, whose branches boast flowers that are set with rubies.  The tree is designed to symbolize the harmony between humans and nature, and rubies stand for bravery and victory – values associated with the ox. The white gold version is set with diamonds n the bezel and the lugs. The watch is powered by a self-winding movement and its oscillating weight – seen from the transparent case back — has the head of an ox engraved on it against a black background.  Just eight of each of these watches will ever be made.