Time-hopping
Horology and astrology converge in timepieces marking the Year of the Water Rabbit
After the roaring tiger, the gentle rabbit takes over in 2023. According to Chinese astrology, it’s the Year of the Water Rabbit. The creature’s tender nature combined with the water element will herald longevity, peace and prosperity. The fourth Chinese zodiac animal is celebrated through various artistic expressions by Swiss watchmakers. Vacheron Constantin has enriched its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series with Year of the Rabbit versions in platinum or pink gold, each available in nine pieces powered by a mechanical, self-winding movement. Inspired by the art of paper-cutting, vegetal motifs based on classic Chinese iconography are etched directly into the metal. The semi-embedded pattern stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs, making the vegetation appear floating over the dial.
Grand Feu enamelling brings out the beauty of the dial, centred by a hand-engraved rabbit. Allowing plenty of space for the decorative aspects, the handsfree time display is achieved through four apertures showing the hours, minutes, days and dates. Breguet also demonstrates its enamelling and engraving expertise in its Classique 9075 — 2023 Chinese New Year Edition housed in a white gold case.
The Grand Feu enamel dial depicts a dynamic scene in which six rabbits are playing around the greens against a backdrop of fluffy clouds. While the central motif is engraved below the surface of the enamel, the bunnies are engraved directly on the enamel and outlined at a maximum height.
Dedicated to women, the limited edition of eight pieces is equipped with a self-winding movement, whose gold oscillating weight is decorated with barleycorn-patterned guilloche work.
Since 2012, Piaget has celebrated Chinese New Year with a slim Altiplano timepiece starring the year’s zodiac animal in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel.
The brand’s collaboration with Anita Porchet began in 2006. For the Year of the Rabbit, the master enameller worked on the dial depicting two luminous rabbits that represent hope and longevity.
Brilliant-cut diamonds illuminate the bezel of the new 38mm white gold Altiplano Zodiac. Released in 38 pieces, the model is driven by Piaget’s ultrathin, manual-winding movement.
Chopard also annually produces a series dedicated to the Chinese zodiac signs. The watch features a slender L.U.C XP case in ethical rose gold, an ultra-thin automatic winding movement, and dial adorned by the Japanese art of Urushi lacquering and Maki-e technique.
The dials of the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit are crafted by master artist Minori Koizumi of the century-old company Yamada Heiando.
The scene captures the rabbit’s symbolic elements while suggesting its energy, intelligence and alertness, as two bunnies — one grey and the other red — frolic under a full moon in a landscape dotted with fragrant Chinese olive trees.
Gold flakes — placed between layers of lacquer made from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree — light up the background.
Like the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit, the Happy Sport version is also limited to 88 pieces.
The ruby-red dial portrays a seated rabbit with raised long ears and muzzle pointing towards 2 o’clock. Chopard’s artisans placed the transferred golden outline of a rabbit on a textured mother-of-pearl base featuring a red gradient enhanced by a wave motif.
Five dancing diamonds whirl around the dial, while more precious stones sparkle on the bezel of the Happy Sport Year of the Rabbit, presented in a stainless steel case with ethical rose gold accents.