(This article first appeared on Forbes.com.)
Thus far this year, there are more than 20 Year of the Dragon luxury watches being released. Some are still under embargo until the Chinese Lunar New Year is closer. It begins on February 10, 2024, and ends on January 28, 2025. It is deemed the year of the Wood Dragon, a symbol of power, honor, energy and success. The dragon is often presented as a magnificent creature – confident and independent, but also a creature that yearns for love. That may well be why Swiss watch brand Piaget this year created a multitude of Year of the Dragon watches. Not one watch with several variations, but six totally different dragon watches – each more beautiful than the next.
The significant capsule collection of Year of the Dragon watches and jewelry from Piaget are inspired not only by the Chinese zodiac, but also by the brand’s first series unveiled in 2012, with a new series for each zodiac sign every year since. That year was also the Year of the Dragon – and now the 12-year cycle begins anew. Back in 2012, Piaget created a story around the Dragon and the Phoenix and unveiled 24 references. Now it also releases some new models with the Phoenix, as well, and a host of dragon and phoenix inspired ear cuffs and high jewelry. In total, the brand unveils 10 significant watches and jewelry designs.
This year, Piaget’s dragon and phoenix watch unveilings run the gamut from hand-painted dragons on dials, to gold sculpted dragons on dials, to complete gemstone-encrusted dragon shaped cuff watches and secret watches. The artistic renditions – each requiring hundreds of hours of craftsmanship just for the design, not even thinking about the movement inside — make you want to love the dragons.
One Year of the Dragon watch is a 38mm Altiplano Zodiac done in miniature enamel by master enameller Anita Porchet – a star in the watch world thanks to her incredible abilities and talent. On a backdrop of mother-of-pearl gray and white clouds, she paints a striking royal blue and purple dragon whose claw feet and tail are seen in different parts of the dial. Gold engravings also enhance the beauty and depth of the dragon’s scales. A second 28mm Altiplano watch by Porchet depicts the Phoenix enameled in rich hues of red, pink and orange. Just 38 of each watch will be made.
In addition to these two watches, there is a 41mm Altiplano High Jewelry watch crafted in white gold and featuring a bezel set with diamonds. For this watch, Porchet turns to paillonne’ enamel work for the dial in rich shades of blue streaks emanating out from the center of the dial like sunburst. Atop the dial sits a stunning hand-carved gold dragon in all its glory. Its eyes are set with rubies and in its claw, it holds a black opal fireball – from which the sparks and sunburst emanate. Powered by Piaget’s ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical 830P movement, this watch is being made in a limited edition of just eight pieces.
The fourth wristwatch comes as somewhat of a surprise, as it is created in the Emperador case. And not only is the tourbillon watch dial masterfully designed, but also the large bezel and the entire case and lugs. On this watch, a gold-carved dragon seems to swirl around the dial, its head beneath the tourbillon and rotor apertures and its tail undulating across the dial, the bezel and the lugs. The background for the engraved dragon dial, bezel and case sides is a dramatic starry night sky made using snow-set sapphires and diamonds. The 46.5mm watch is simply breathtaking.
In a more fanciful style, two Phoenix high-jewelry watches emerge. For each of these, the dial is mother-of-pearl and the case is surrounded by carved and gemstone-set feathers that form the body and tail of the Phoenix. A version in pink gold is set with all diamonds, while a white gold version is set with diamonds and rubies. The watch measures 32mm in diameter before the asymmetrical feathers encircle it. Just eight pieces of each will be made.
As if this wasn’t enough, Piaget has – in typical style – created two special made-to-order high jewelry cuff watches. One is in the likeness of a Phoenix and made of diamonds and pink sapphires. A center rubellite cabochon stone opens to reveal the secret watch dial beneath. The second watch is a cuff bracelet in the likeness of the dragon. Completely set with diamonds and onyx, with ruby eye, the cuff watch looks like it has come to life. These two watches signal to the interested buyer that only their own imagination limits the design of their personalized watch.
Each of these timepieces, along with the dragon-inspired rings, earrings and other jewels, aptly demonstrate Piaget’s embracement of daring creativity and exceptional execution. All prices are on request.