Cover Corum Golden Bridge “Serpent”
Corum Golden Bridge “Serpent”
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The Snake has a sinuous form that often inspires striking artistic interpretations, as showcased in the luxury watches below
Every year, Vacheron Constantin celebrates the Lunar New Year with magnificent timepieces that honour the corresponding zodiac animal through its métiers d’art collection, The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac. This year, engraving and enamelling shine in the Snake-themed watches.
At the centre of the dial, a cobra poised on a rock commands attention. Carved from pink or white gold, it takes the master engraver three days to complete a single serpent, enhanced with miniature paint for added texture and relief.
The background features grand feu enamel, while the flora is brought to life with flux-coated miniature opaque enamel, an ancestral technique from Geneva. Enamel powder is applied to the dial’s surface, then heated in an oven at 820 to 850 degrees Celcius, with multiple firings required to achieve the full colour range. This process results in a stunning gradient from centre to periphery, demonstrating the remarkable skill of the manufacture’s artisans.
Powered by the self-winding 2460 G4, the hour and minute as well as the day and date are indicated via four windows, making time-reading as unique as it is intuitive. Available in 40mm pink gold or platinum, each reference is limited to 25 pieces.
Read more: The bespoke luxury of Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon
Above Vacheron Constantin The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake watch in pink gold
Above Vacheron Constantin The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake watch in platinum
Vacheron Constantin The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake watch in pink gold
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The IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake captures the auspicious season with a rich burgundy dial with a moonphase at 12 o’clock. Festive accents extend to the golden moon and stars that perfectly complement the gold-plated hands and markers. A striking snake motif graces the sapphire caseback, etched onto the oscillating weight of the IWC-manufactured 32800 calibre. The watch is set in a 37mm stainless-steel case and paired with a black calfskin leather strap.
See also: IWC’s CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr on winning the top prize at GPHG 2024
Above IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake
IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake
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Corum’s iconic Golden Bridge slithers its way back into our hearts with the “Serpent” edition, a unique model that nods to the collection’s heritage of bold design and innovation. As always, all eyes are on the linear baguette movement, composed of over 190 components. This time, however, it shares the limelight with a snake, hand-painted on gold, that coils along its length. The jungle-inspired background is also in gold and hand-painted to deliver a lush, vibrant appearance.
Throwback: The best watches celebrating the Year of the Dragon
Above Corum Golden Bridge “Serpent”
Corum Golden Bridge “Serpent”
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The Dior Grand Soir Year of the Snake is an exquisite testament to craftsmanship and elegance, with only 38 pieces available worldwide. Encased in a polished 36mm stainless steel case, its beauty is elevated by a rose gold bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds. At its heart, the mother-of-pearl dial reinterprets Dior’s iconic Toile de Jouy, showcasing a graceful rose-gold snake gliding amidst shimmering butterflies, intricate leaves, and delicate flowers. Completing the look is a luxurious blue satin strap adorned with 18 sparkling diamonds, making this limited-edition timepiece a true collector’s dream and a radiant celebration of Dior’s artistry.
Above Dior Grand Soir Year of the Snake
Dior Grand Soir Year of the Snake
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For the Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’, Jaeger-LeCoultre has engraved a striking image of the snake emerging from golden clouds on glossy black grand feu enamel. The artisan used a technique called modelled engraving, which requires immense precision as so not to damage the enamel. The use of modelled engraving, however, gave the snake a sense of depth and volume that the conventional method could not achieve. This is only the maison’s third watch in a series paying homage to the Chinese zodiac after the Tiger in 2022 and the Dragon in 2024.
Read more: The most innovative watches in 2024
Above Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’
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Ciga Design has this brilliant idea of using the snake form to indicate the time. The golden snake’s head shows the hours while the tail points to the minutes. This is achieved through the brand’s patented Non-Synchronous Follower Technology. The central plate on which the snake lies features an abstract pattern recalling snake scales.
Above Ciga Design Year of the Snake
Ciga Design Year of the Snake
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In Chinese culture, red is traditionally associated with good fortune and prosperity, making it a favourite colour during the Lunar New Year. The sunray gradient red dial of this Longines Conquest Heritage is thus particularly apt for the upcoming festival. It is further enhanced with a caseback featuring an engraving by Chinese artist Wu Jian'an of a snake holding a Lingzhi mushroom. This depiction is taken from The Legend of the White Snake.
Above Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake
Above The caseback of Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake
Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake
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The animal of the year is elegantly displayed on Breguet’s Classique 7145: Chinese Zodiac Snake Edition through intricate hand‑engraving on the 40 mm timepiece’s yellow gold dial. Both the snake and the surrounding foliage are outlined in black to make the design really pop, while green lacquer accents add a vibrant touch, reflecting the artistry and precision synonymous with the brand’s craftsmanship.
Above Breguet Classique 7145: Chinese Zodiac Snake Edition in rose gold
Breguet Classique 7145: Chinese Zodiac Snake Edition in rose gold
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Arnold & Son’s poetic Perpetual Moon is transformed into a magnificent tribute to the Year of the Wood Snake. Set against the blue aventurine dial and a moon phase display with a large moon in mother-of-pearl is a golden snake, resting upon the branch of a gingko tree. Additionally, the moon is complemented by the constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, celestial guides that once led ships across uncharted waters.
Above Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 “Year of the Snake”
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 “Year of the Snake”
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Franck Muller debuts a new case shape, the Silhouette CX, with its tribute to the Year of the Snake. Featuring an undulating design with asymmetrical curves, it matches the serpent's mesmerising sinuous motion. The snake is composed of deep green emeralds, meticulously snow-set to evoke the texture of the animal’s scales. A similar pattern can also be seen on the green strap in calf leather. The Asia Pacific watch is limited to 28 pieces.
Above Franck Muller Silhouette CX Snake
Franck Muller Silhouette CX Snake
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