ASTONISHINGLY ALLURING

These are four of our new favourite timepieces to celebrate Chinese New Year in spectacular style this month.

Chopard celebrates this year’s Chinese New Year with a combination of the art of Urushi lacquer and mythical dragons in its L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Dragon. Crafted in a 39.5mm ethical 18-carat rose gold case, the watch showcases a piece of art in the dial, as it has been handcrafted in Japan by a world-renowned artisan specialising in the Maki-e technique for the 12th year running in the Chopard Urushi story. Limited to only 88 pieces, this timepiece expresses luck and prosperity, which marks the Chinese zodiac cycle.

The latest Classique Dragon 7145 from Breguet showcases its beautiful crimson red dial featuring different shades between the chapter ring and the centre, which was produced using a Grand Feu enamelling technique. Housed in a 40mm diameter rose gold case, the dragon magically stands on the dial in an entirely hand-engraved rose gold applique. The chestnut brown alligator leather strap with black inter-scale areas completes this vast palette of colours and creates subtle and elegant nuances.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Dragon’ pays tribute to the Year of the Dragon and the talents of the master enamellers and engravers in the Métiers Rares atelier of its manufacture. As its name implies, the famous swivelling of the watch case to its reverse side now reveals a majestic dragon surrounded by golden clouds that seem to leap out from the background of glossy black Grand Feu enamel. Inside, the dial also features the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel to match in colour and purity.

Enamelling master Anita Porchet has teamed up with Piaget since 2006 and has been behind the maison’s annual Lunar New Year watches. This time, Porchet again lent her masterful skills in Piaget’s Altiplano Zodiac 38mm, which shows the blue dragon in the dial. On it, the gold engraving further enhances the mystical creature’s scales and evokes a sense of awe at the same time.