Gong xi fa cai: Roaring Into The Year Of The Tiger With 6 Watches
10 min read
As of February 1st, we officially mark the end of the Year of the Ox and leap right into the year of the Tiger. A year that symbolises bravery, wisdom and strength and all the other attributes this majestic animal represents. As Chinese New Year sets in, nearly 2 billion people worldwide celebrate by honouring deities, family reunions, fireworks, parades and so on. So why should the Watch World hold back?
Watchmakers have made it a practice to celebrate Chinese New Year by crafting stunning, ornate, limited edition timepieces engraved with symbolic depictions of the appropriate Chinese zodiac sign - frequently utilising unique, artistic techniques that pay homage to the eastern calendar.
The Tiger with the Water element is this year's zodiac animal, and this combination is believed to have great self-esteem and learning ability, as well as the dominant attributes of confidence, and boldness. All of these characteristics are communicated through these timepieces, which are as regal and spectacular as the jungle beast itself.
To commemorate the occasion, brands have made limited-edition timepieces featuring the majestic tiger in some manner. Let’s have a look at them!
-
Arnold And Son Year Of The Tiger Perpetual Moon
An expressive variation of the Perpetual Moon represents the year of the Water-Tiger. Arnold & Son has created a golden tiger that is growling and ready to attack. A waterfall in the background represents the element that tempers this feline's fiery fury. The elegance of this beautiful dial stems from Arnold & Son's meticulous craftsmanship and an extensive collection of precious gemstones. On the watch, rose gold and specular hematite, mother-of-pearl, and aventurine depict a very significant image.
The A&S1512 calibre, like all of Arnold & Son's movements, was totally created, made, ornamented, assembled, adjusted, and cased within the walls of the brand's La Chaux-de-Fonds factory. This calibre is made up of two barrels with a 3 Hz oscillation frequency and a power reserve of 90 hours.
Last but not least, this movement's moon-phase display will be correct for 122 years before deviating by one day from the real lunar cycle. The Perpetual Moon of the "Year of the Tiger" is thus part of an astronomical, astrological cycle; an eternal perspective.
-
Hublot Big Bang Carbon Gold Tiger
Hublot developed this unusual, complicated, and gorgeous material, which mixes carbon fibre with gold to give a distinctive finish defined by gleaming gold occlusions.The HUB4700 self-winding skeleton chronograph is a descendant of the classic high-frequency Swiss Made El Primero calibre, which was first introduced in 1969. A low-friction silicon regulating organ is among the technical advancements in this modern, very precise automated movement.
The watch is water-resistant to 10 ATM and has a 50-hour power reserve (100 metres). The Year of the Tiger theme is carried across to the watch straps. It has a black rubber strap that is tastefully designed to resemble tiger stripes. A black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp secures it. This may be quickly and simply changed to the included yellow-gold-colored, velcro-fastened cloth strap thanks to Hublot's unique One-Click System.
-
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel “Tiger”
The watch casing can be swivelled to expose a stunning tiger on the other side. It appears to burst out from its black impenetrable Grand Feu enamel background, with the polished surface of the tiger's coat and the contrasting rhodium-brushed texture of its stripes capturing and refracting light to create the appearance of movement and force.
The Reverso Tribute Enamel's dial is made of the same opaque black Grand Feu enamel as the case back. The Reverso Tribute dial's beautiful simplicity, with its faceted appliqué hour-markers, chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands – in this case, perfectly matched to the pink gold of the case – emphasises the luminous black background's subtle beauty.
This new Reverso Tribute Enamel exemplifies La Grande Maison's perspective of culture and creativity, in which artistic crafts coexist together with the Manufacture's watchmakers technical expertise.
-
Piaget Altiplano
The watch is encased in a 38 mm 18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds and is driven by Piaget's ultra-thin, manual-winding 430P movement, demonstrating the Maison's competence in ultra-thin watchmaking, gem-setting, and creative craftsmanship perfection.
Since 2006, Anita Porchet has worked with Piaget and is famous for her expertise in all enamelling techniques. The Altiplano watch's cloisonné method is a 4000-year-old decorative craft. The process begins with the design being transferred onto the dial's surface using gold ribbons to create miniature partitions, or cloisons, in which the various enamel colours are deposited. The dial is then burned several times in the kiln at temperatures ranging from 820 to 850 degrees Celsius. The dial is then varnished, permanently preserving the picture.
-
Swatch Tiger Power 2022
The colour scheme of the BIG BOLD is not only attractive, but it also conveys a positive message. The gold-toned dial with Tiger head image represents wealth, while the crimson on the stopper, loops, and hands represents joy, luck, energy, and happiness. Immortality, knowledge, stability, and power are all represented by the black of the bio-sourced strap and BIOCERAMIC case and bezel.
The 47 mm case has plenty of area for the eye-catching and gleaming tiger head image, which was made utilising a metalized microstructure 3D printing technology. Swatch adds essential elements to the watch. The Chinese translation is printed on the inner strap and 'Year of the Tiger' is written on the bezel. The eye-catching black, gold, and red package, replete with the complex Tiger artwork, is also worth noting.
-
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac
On February 1st, 2021, it will succeed the ox as the Chinese New Year animal. The mechanical superiority of the Caliber 2460 G4 is combined with the beauty of artistic crafts in two unique creations, each with twelve models.
The dial's vegetal designs, which are based on traditional Chinese imagery, are etched directly into the metal. A modest stage-setting of slightly accentuated reliefs creates a depth effect, allowing the pattern to remain semi-embedded and stand out from its gold background. The greenery appears to be floating over the dial as a result of this.
Then there's the Grand Feu enamelling stage, which is an ancient process reserved for a select few highly talented artists. The enamel specialist boosts the intensity of the blue or bronze-toned dial by applying the enamel in successive layers. The animal is manually etched and gently attached to the dial centre in platinum or pink gold.
What a way for the watchmaking world to roar into the Chinese New Year! Gong xi fa cai…
