Earlier this week, on February 17, we celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year. Each year, according to the Chinese zodiac, a particular animal is celebrated and this year is deemed the Year of the Fire Horse.
According to Chinses zodiac, the horse embraces energy, independence and, often, a forward movement. It is a positive spirit that is further underscored by the fact that this year is the Chinese year of fire, so the reference is to the fire horse.
According to lore, people born under the sign of the horse are enthusiastic, tireless and often commanding from a perspective of charisma and charm. As such, the watches celebrating this new year are often rendered in fiery reds and oranges with prancing, galloping or even rearing horses.
© Clement Rousset – Studio Contraste SARL
Some top Swiss watch brands have long been creating watches in honor of the Chinese New Year and they continue in their traditions by employing crafts such as hand painting, enamel, sculpture and other fine arts. Many brands even back this up with complex movements that offer a different take on time. Here we look at six sensational year of the horse watches that range in price from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
The legendary brand Vacheron Constantin, the oldest continually operating Swiss watch brand in the world, once again brings its Chinese Zodiac Métiers d’Arts watches to the forefront. Rendered in either 18-karat rose gold or in platinum, each watch boasts a dial with a stunning sculpted horse galloping against a relief-engraved and hand-painted background. Just 25 pieces of each of the 40mm Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Horse will be made.
Not only is the artistic craftsmanship of these watches exemplary, but also, and maybe even more importantly, the watchmaking prowess comes keenly into play. In order to have an unobstructed canvas for the artistic dial, Vacheron Constantin’s watchmakers turned to a complex hands-free movement, wherein the time, day and date are indicated via four small apertures along the outer portion of the dia. The 237-part mechanical Caliber is developed totally in house and utilizes four separate disks for the various indications. Every component is hand finished and hand assembled.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Jaeger-LeCoultre
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To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Jaeger-LeCoultre releases three stunning Reverso Tribute Enamel Xu Beihong watches. The alluring timepieces boast meticulously hand-painted enamel renderings of the 20th century artist’s paintings on one side. Each watch also features a guilloche and grand feu enamel dial on the other side in either crimson orange, blue or green. The images depict Xu Beihong’s The Running Horse, Two Horses and The Standing Horse. The watches are crafted in 18-karat white gold and house the brand’s manually wound caliber 822 offering hours and minutes. Just 10 pieces of each will be made.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Piaget
Piaget
A deft blend of modernity and whimsy, the new Piaget Altiplano Zodiac Edition – The Horse Edition high-jewelry watches feature a dial with swirls reminiscent of the horse’s main. Rearing out from the swirls is the jumping horse – a magnificent cloisonne and paillone enamel work. Crated by Anita Porchet, a master mind artisan in the world of enamel, the watch is also set with diamonds on the dial, as well as on the case, crown and lugs. It is powered by an ultra-thin Piaget mechanical movement. Measuring just 41mm in diameter, the 18-karat white gold watch is made in a limited edition of just 18 pieces.
Bulova
Marking its initial Lunar New Year watch foray, Bulova unveils the Super Seville Year of the Horse watch.
Bulova
Created in stainless steel with a gold tone finish, the watch features a red dial with gold accents and a rearing horse in the center. Amidst its flying mane, a background of flowers reinforces the themes of prosperity and forward motion. Exactly 888 pieces will be made in honor of the Chinese number for good fortune.
Oris
Oris
In a somewhat subtle approach, Oris releases its Year of the Horse Limited Edition watch with two small sculpted horses on the crimson- colored dial. One horse is galloping while the other is at rest. These positions are meant to signify the power reserve of the watch, with the galloping horse above the subsidiary dial and the resting horse below. The gold hand points to the power reserve – letting the wearer know how much power is left in the mechanical movement. Full is the galloping horse and resting means the reserve is near empty and winding is required.
IWC Schaffhausen
IWC
Packing the punch for the Year of the Horse celebration on the case back side of its Lunar New Year Limited Edition Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse watch, IWC brings fire to the dial, as well. Crafted in stainless steel and powered by the IWC caliber 52011 mechanical movement, the new watch boasts a burgundy dial with date and power reserve indicator. While the color is definitely inspired by the Chinese new Year, the rotor – visible via the sapphire case back – brings us clearly into the zodiac new year. The galloping horse rotor, which moves with the wrist movements to power the watch, is etched and engraved. Just 500 pieces will be made.
This article was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
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