5 Best Watch Releases for the Year of the Dragon

In recent years, there’s been an increase in watch brands producing spectacular and truly limited timekeepers that celebrate the turning of the Lunar New Year. On February 10, the lunar calendar will shift to a new chapter, welcoming the Year of the Wood Dragon. While the zodiac sign does take on the spotlight every 12 years, its associated element only goes full circle every six decades. A symbol of fearlessness and charisma, the Dragon zodiac is amplified with a talent for imagination when in the element of wood.

Among the plethora of dragon-themed watch offerings this year, Hypebeast has selected five stand-out pieces that embody the spirit of the new Lunar New Year.

Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar Year of the Dragon

The year of the Wood Dragon marks a new cycle of Chinese zodiacs for Blancpain. Roughly 12 years ago, the Maison introduced the first-ever Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar — an incredible timepiece that featured both the Chinese and Gregorian date calendars, complete with a moon phase complication. To commemorate this milestone, Blancpain has decided to update the model with a new palette and design.

The former editions were presented in a platinum case built with a crisp white Grand Feu enamel dial, and topped with a ruby cabochon crown. Now, the new design features a dark green dial encased in 18k polished red gold, while its crown comes with embossed branding. The dial’s color is also a fitting choice that subtly nods to this year’s zodiac element, wood. Limited to a production of 50 examples, the timepiece has a price point of $72,400 USD. More details about the timepiece can be read here.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon

In the year of the Wood Dragon, Jaeger-LeCoultre welcomes its second Reverso Tribute timepiece in the spirit of the Lunar New Year. Much like the 2022 model for the Year of the Tiger, the latest iteration features a delicately engraved depiction of the Chinese dragon. Now paired with golden clouds, the majestic dragon motif also serves as a tribute to artisanal craftsmanship. Even for the master engravers at the Manufacture’s Métiers Rares atelier, a total of 80 hours was dedicated to hand-engrave this year’s zodiac animal.

Attired in the Reverso’s emblematic Art Deco-inspired watch case, the new reference arrives in an 18k pink gold build with a lustrously engraved dragon that’s set against a sleek enamel backdrop. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon offers an elegant and understated way to pay homage to the Lunar New Year. Available only on a made-to-order basis, more information regarding the timepiece can be read here.

IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon

While IWC’s Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon offers a less blatant way to feature 2024’s zodiac animal, it proudly wears an auspicious color palette that is closely tied to the Lunar New Year. Symbolizing happiness, good luck, fortune and longevity, the usual scarlet red and bright yellow gold have been tastefully reinterpreted on the dial as a rich burgundy and honey gold color.

To meet the dragon, kindly flip the timepiece over. Providing a striking contrast to the stainless steel build, the dragon appears as a hand-engraving on a gold-plated rotor, allowing partial visibility to the 69355 movement. In addition to its black calfskin strap, the watch also comes with a textured burgundy red rubber strap for those who want to really show off their festive spirits. Check out more details on the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon in more detail here.

Piaget Polo Emperador Dragon High Jewellery Watch

Among the many dragon-themed time-telling offerings this year, Piaget’s Polo Emperador Dragon is an unmistakably high jewelry timepiece that takes on the challenge with a painter-esque touch. An ultra-limited edition with only 8 examples, the rose-gold clad watch stars a gold-engraved dragon swirled around the dials’ flying tourbillon and rotor. A masterful embodiment of Haute Horologerie and Haute Joaillerie, the dragon is set against a glimmering and sky-like gradient composed of snow-set sapphires and diamonds. This wonderous scenery doesn’t only live on the dial but is extended to the bezel, watch case and integrated lugs for a practically seamless design.

Aside from the Polo Emperador Dragon High Jewellery Watch, Piaget also unveiled other limited-edition creations. Explore the entire Dragon & Phoenix collection here.

Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Ryoko Kaneta Dragon Limited Edition

Franck Muller has tapped Ryoko Kaneta, an emerging Japanese artist to reimagine a Cintrée Curvex wristwatch for the Year of the Dragon. Housed in a 33mm curved tonneau-shaped watch case is a stunning textured dial in a sunray and stamped guilloché. On the dial, Kaneta imbued her artistic vision with Frank Muller’s iconic numerals, adorning each with her very own interpretation of the dragon. In addition to the unconventional design, the watch also comes in a refreshing Tiffany blue color palette and is accompanied by a matching alligator strap.

To view all of Franck Muller’s Lunar New Year offerings, check out its dedicated coverage here.