The Lunar New Year, the year of the Wood Snake, begins in just a few days,
on January 29th. And what seems like clockwork, the big watch brands
are marking the occasion with special, often limited-edition creations,
inspired by this year’s Chinese Zodiac. – gr
– Gordon Ng –
10 January 2025 –
Vogue Singapore –
Snake watches from brands like Franck Muller,
Harry Winston, and more! Just in time for the Lunar New Year
Yes, there have been more than several reports, not only on watches, but also on jewelry celebrating the new year’s theme. Are you seeing them? If you have not, and would like to see what we have found, read on.
Snakes
We went looking for jewelry and watches that are inspired by the lunar new year animal, the wood snake. And we focused in on watches.
We found one watch that is using one of our favorite ornamental gem materials, Sonoran Sunset, a chrysocolla cuprite. Seen typical only at local club gem & mineral shows, who would have thought to use this ornamental stone as a High Jewelry watch face? Jaquet Droz, of course!
Vogue Singapore – “The Lunar New Year beckons, and with it the coming of the Year of the Snake. As has become practice, brands are creating and releasing a host of special, often limited, editions themed around the year’s Zodiac sign. Some of the most luxurious come naturally from the realm of fine watchmaking. This year is no different, with a host of special snake-themed watches to ring in the 2025 Lunar New Year.
Watches without!
Lots of Brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, Hublot, IWC Schaffhausen, Longines, Swatch, Arnold & Son, and Blancpain are all being featured in one report or another. Unfortunately for us, there are no gems in these—other than “jewels,” of course (a little watch humor)!
Watches With!
Franck Muller, Chritsian Dior, Jaquet Droz, and Harry Winston on the other hand, DO have gem-set watches to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Here are their very exclusive beauties!
that embodies the seductive charm of this year’s enigmatic zodiac creature.
Guided by the House’s co-founder and master casemaker, Vartan Sirmakes,
and inspired by the snake’s symbolism of fluidity, elegance, and transformation,
this exceptional design marries innovation, artistry, and glamour.
With asymmetrical curves and undulating lines, the case is a singular evolution of the Curvex CX—
itself a modern reimagining of the Vanguard and the legendary Cintrée Curvex.
“As the year of the snake approaches, Franck Muller unveils a timepiece that pays homage to the elegance and mystery of the revered zodiac symbol. Introducing the Silhouette CX Snake, a limited edition masterpiece that combines serpentine allure with technical innovation.”
“The dial of the Silhouette CX Snake mirrors the bold asymmetry of its case, with numerals artfully arranged to align perfectly within an irregular outline. Adorned with a snake motif handset with deep green emeralds in an intricate snow-setting, the dial showcases emeralds of varying sizes placed closely together for a dazzling effect. The bejewelled serpent’s silhouette slithers seamlessly across the sunray-brushed dial, evoking mysterious romance while minimising visible prongs to enhance the stones’ brilliance.”
Available exclusively across Asia Pacific, and limited to 28 pieces.
Look Ma, no hands!
“Jaquet Droz’s Ophidian Hour watch with a green enameled snake on hand-painted mother-of-pearl with a bright green strap (left) and a red enameled snake on Sonora Sunrise (chrysocolla cuprite) with a forest green strap, both created for the Year of the Snake.”
“Pieces that pay homage to snakes are rarities. Jaquet Droz has not created one for 12 years. Today, the atelier is unveiling two unique interpretations for the next Chinese astrological year: one with a mother-of-pearl dial and one on a Sonora Sunrise mineral dial (seen here above).”
“And there is a first: they do not have a single hand. Master craftsmanship has been taken to an unprecedented level. The solid gold curved body of a serpent is enameled in graduated colours punctuated by a motif “Ruyi”. The whole snake was conceived and designed by John Howe, friend of the brand and the creator of artwork for the Lord of the Rings novels.”
embodying the Ateliers’ bold creativity and savoir-faire.
To celebrate the Year of the Snake, the dial of this exceptional design is elevated by the updated Toile de Jouy,
showcasing this creature making its way through precious mother-of-pearl and gold leaves.
Dior Grand Soir Year of the Snake
“The Grand Soir is one of the smaller, and definitely one of the more ornate pieces on this list. The pink gold bezel is set with 52 diamonds, while the mother-of-pearl dial sports a Toile de Jouy-like pattern beneath cherry blossoms and golden flowers, through which slithers a pink gold snake. The movement is obscured by a semi-opaque crystal, though its bridge layout seems to indicate a Sellita SW300.
Gleaming with Harry Winston diamonds, the sumptuous cases frame a dial decorated with a charming, lacquered snake.
Worshipped as guardians of hidden treasures, the snakes depicted on the dials are now custodians of the ultimate treasure: time.
Tap here and celebrate the lunar new year with snake watches!
Best coverage for lunar new year diamond jewelry … Only Natural Diamonds.
The Year of the Snake: All About the History of Snake Jewelry
Anna McFillin – Only Natural Diamonds
… and if you want more, there’s Bvlgari’s 75th Anniversary Here!
More watch coverage … though still no more gem-covered watches …
Slithering Success:
The Best Year of the Snake Watches for Chinese New Year 2025
Serpentine sophistication: Eight exceptional Year of the Snake watches
The Straits Times
