Chinese New Year 2021: Limited-edition watches and jewellery to usher in the new year in style
MCO 2.0 is still underway but that isn’t stopping us from getting ready for the next festive occasion in our calendar: Chinese New Year 2021. If you’re feeling indulgent and looking to score fortune-bearing accessories for Chinese New Year, take your pick from these horological masterpieces that are rife with symbolic meaning. Whether a splash of red (or gold) or intricate ox motifs on the dials, these will guarantee a statement-making look this upcoming festive season:
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Ox
Chopard has specially dedicated a L.U.C Haute Horlogerie timepiece for every concurrent Chinese zodiac since 2013, and this year is no different. Limited to only 88 pieces, the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Ox is made of ethical 18-carat rose gold and features a dial made by Japanese master lacquer artist Minori Koizumi using the traditional Urushi lacquer technique.
Fun fact: The Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Ox is made entirely out of a block of 18-carat rose gold sourced from an ethical supply chain. The 39.5mm timepiece is ultra-thin (only 6.8mm thick), with a slim bezel and L.U.C 96.17-L in-house calibre. Don’t be fooled by its minute sizes—the movement is equipped with a micro-rotor for automatic winding, and has enough energy for a total 65-hour power reserve.
Piaget Altiplano Year of the Ox
Piaget’s remarkable way of honouring this Lunar New Year’s zodiac animal is in the form of its most iconic timepiece, the Altiplano. Spot the ox on the dial of the Altiplano Year of the Ox in grand-feu cloisonné enamel, exclusively created by world renowned master-enameller Anita Porchet.
This 4,000-year-old technique is done by transferring the design onto the surface of the dial with gold ribbons to create minute partitions (cloisons) where varying enamel pigments are carefully positioned. After firing the dial in the kiln at high temperatures a few times over, the dial is then varnished for the image to be brought to life. At only 38mm, Piaget Altiplano Year of the Ox is incredibly thin and comes in an 18-karat white gold case with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Harry Winston Premier Chinese New Year Ox Automatic 36mm
Harry Winston’s exclusive timepiece that’s released just for Lunar New Year is so limited that only a mere eight pieces are available. The 36mm Premier Chinese New Year Ox showcases the zodiac animal in all its glory on the dial—drawn in 18-karat rose gold and set with diamonds (on the horns and body) for dimension. Stunning details include the large emerald-cut diamond at 12 o’clock, the chapter ring that frames the ox that have been set with diamonds, two brilliant-cut diamond indexes and four applied rose gold markers. The red mother-of-pearl dial’s iridescent effect changes according to the ambient light, while the lower half of the dial pays tribute to the undulating mountainous shapes typically found in traditional Chinese painting.
Dior Grand Bal Jardin Fleuri
Dior’s inspiration for the New Year festivities this season is also a fitting tribute to Monsieur Dior and his love for nature. The Dior Grand Bal Jardin Fleuri is an intricate watch that combines haute couture with horology—a mystical garden brought to life on a timepiece. Flower motifs on the red mother-of-pearl dial are adorned with gold, diamonds, pink sapphires and rubies; and the 36mm automatic movement is a Maison Dior exclusive, the ‘Dior Inversé 11 1/2’ calibre.
Blancpain Traditional Chinese Calendar watch
Blancpain Traditional Chinese Calendar watch is an exquisite homage to its namesake—its Grand Feu enamel dial offers the main indications of the traditional Chinese calendar, coupled with those of the Gregorian calendar and moon phases. The zodiac animal of 2021 makes a subtle appearance at 12 o’clock, while two subdials indicate the celestial stems and five elements along with pointer-type month, date indications and leap months through a round aperture.
Similar to Blancpain’s Complete Calendar watches, the moon phases (that regulate the months of the Chinese calendar) can be read off at 6 o’clock, while the blued serpentine hand sweeps over the date numerals around the dial circumference. This exceptional complication has been incorporated into the self-winding 3638 calibre in this 45mm watch—a truly innovative mechanical feat that required five years to master.
Ulysse Nardin Classico “Year of the Ox” Limited Edition
Ulysse Nardin Classico Year of the Ox Limited Edition is the 10th of the Swiss manufacture’s Classico series that was launched in 2012 (and to be completed in 2023). A tribute to the Chinese zodiac animal this 2021, the rose gold case features an ox on the champlevé dial that has been mastered in-house by Conzé Cadrans. The champlevé technique of enamelling is a rare art form that involves engraving three-dimensional cavities and motifs on a gold plate and then depositing different enamels into it. After that, the walls of the dial compartments are chiselled with meticulous control and pressure for a trompe l’oeil effect.
Limited to only 88 pieces, the 40mm timepiece is powered by the automatic Caliber Un-815 that offers 42 hours of power reserve.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon Watch Face Lunar New Year 2021
Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Horizon Lunar New Year 2021 watch face is the perfect final touch to your festive look this season. Customisable with all the 12 zodiac animals animated on a wave of Monogram flowers, the Tambour Horizon’s 12 new dials are aligned with the House’s irreverent style. The Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon comes with the iconic LV Monogram brown leather strap and a dark bronze dial—other strap options include a black leather LV Monogram strap and a red LV Monogram sports strap.
Roberto Coin Year of the Ox Gold Pendant
Keen on doing some good this festive occasion? Roberto Coin has just the right thing for you with its limited edition Ox charity pendant that’s made in a series of only 38 in Italy. Crafted with 18k gold, this pendant charm can be worn on a charm bracelet as well if you’re a fan of modular jewellery. For every purchase of this, 100 percent of profits will go to SPCA Selangor.
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