Year of the Dragon: Top Lunar New Year-Themed Watches in 2024
The dragon roars to ring in the year 2024, and as tradition, we once again look at the top Lunar New Year-themed watches that will get you into the holiday spirit!
The dragon is associated with intelligence, confidence, and power, and the entries of this year definitely bring about these vibes with them. We’ve got limited edition watches from luxury brands to eco-watches, all bearing the likeness of this divine beast in the unique style of its watchmaker, so read on and choose your favorite pick.
And hopefully, these colorful and intricate creations will inspire you for your next custom watch build - if they do, be sure to check out our store for over a thousand premium quality mod parts so you can also make your own limited edition watch. Without further ado, let’s start with the first LNY watch on our list.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Dragon
Source: Jaeger-LeCoultre
We start with a watch with a not too on the nose design. Jaeger-LeCoultre has introduced the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Dragon” to commemorate the upcoming Year of the Wood Dragon featuring the brand's iconic Reverso case shape with a hand-engraved dragon design on the reverse side. Executed by artisans from Jaeger-LeCoultre's in-house Métiers Rares workshop, the engraving depicts a dragon in the clouds against a black enamel background which is looking painstakingly majestic indeed. It took over 80 hours to complete using 10 different engraving tools to carefully form the dragon's scales and other details.
The rest of the watch has a simple aesthetic (if you can call it simple) with a black grand feu enamel dial, Dauphine hands, applied markers, and an 18ct pink gold case. Like last year's Rabbit edition, the Reverso Dragon is a made-to-order piece limited to however many orders the brand receives. It is priced at $107,000 USD and only available at Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques. While certainly extravagant, the exceptional engraving perfectly illustrates Jaeger-LeCoultre's mastery of traditional watchmaking techniques, so we’re sure there will be a lot of orders for the watch despite the eye-wateringly high price.
Bell and Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon
Source: Bell and Ross
Bell & Ross has unveiled the BR 05 Artline Dragon, a limited edition watch celebrating the upcoming Chinese Year of the Dragon in 2024. Inspired by the bold and lucky traits associated with the dragon in Chinese culture, the design features an engraved dragon motif across the dial, case, and bracelet. Its most striking feature is the intricate dragon engraving executed through an advanced laser technique. The engraving required precision work on each individual bracelet link to ensure continuity of the design, and it looks like the almost-experimental method paid off. God forbid you’d have to resize this bracelet to exactly fit your wrist though.
Beyond the technical mastery, the tattoo-style engraving gives the watch an edgy, unorthodox look that you would usually only see with Seiko mods. The dial showcases the dragon's head with finely engraved scales, claws and teeth - it’s an eye-catching design and definitely an ice-breaker. With the complex engraving process, Bell & Ross is deliberately keeping the BR 05 Artline Dragon an exceptionally rare piece, limiting it to just 99 examples exclusively available from Bell & Ross boutiques. Priced at SGD 11,100, this bold creation pays tribute to Chinese culture while pushing the boundaries of the Bell & Ross design.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon
Source: Hublot
Possibly the most extravagant-looking watch on this list, Hublot has revealed a new limited edition Spirit of Big Bang watch to celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon. Created in partnership with Chinese papercutting artist Chen Fenwan, the design recreates Fenwan's paper dragon sculpture through a multi-layered dial and it is looking spot-on! The 42mm titanium case features contrasting brushed, sandblasted and polished finishes to further emphasize the layering motif though in monochrome.
Underneath is Hublot's skeletonized HUB1710 automatic movement which in itself is noteworthy. But the true highlight is the dial crafted to mimic the look of paper art. Numerous applied pieces recreate the dragon's colorful scales, with Hublot's H-shaped screws serving as the dragon's eyes. Extending the design to the strap, Hublot has used marquetry for the first time to produce a handmade rubber strap mimicking dragon scales. It’s still a flat texture on the inside though so it will not affect comfortability. The delicate, multi-colored scales required 8 hours of handwork per strap. Strictly limited to 88 pieces to mark 2024 as the year 4722 in the Chinese calendar, the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon seamlessly merges traditional artisanal techniques with the brand's contemporary watchmaking.
Casio G-Shock MT-G Golden Dragon
Source: Casio G-Shock
Though a bit more subtle on the dragon symbolism from the front, the Casio G-shock MT-G Golden Dragon is still a fitting entry to this list. The special edition MT-G watch features golden dragon scale texturing on its dial, bezel and end lugs. It has a beastly 50.9mm case plated in gold ion over stainless steel, carbon, and resin. Laser processing and etching create the intricate dragon scale pattern, complementing an engraved dragon image on the caseback.
Despite the complex design accents, the MT-G retains a slim, cuff-friendly profile thanks to G-Shock’s thinnest ever quartz movement. The tough solar-powered caliber enables Bluetooth connectivity to the G-Shock app for automatic time syncing and adjustment. Offering the expected G-Shock functionality like dual time, alarms, countdown timer, and LED light, the MTGB3000CXD9A also boasts sapphire crystal and 200m water resistance.
The black dial has golden hands and indices providing contrast while additional golden pushers, hardware, and clasp complete the upscale dragon theme. As a Chinese Zodiac commemorative edition made in limited numbers, the golden MT-G brings imposing style to G-Shock’s roster of durable watches packed with today’s modernities.
Swatch Year of the Dragon Collection
Source: Swatch
Before you continue reading, make sure that you’ve already watched Swatch’s short promo animation here.
Not one, but five colorful commemorative watches have been released by Swatch this year to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Year of the Dragon. Ranging from £73 to £183, the playful and highly collectible designs incorporate dragon motifs on the dials and silicone straps. The watches have stainless steel or plastic cases housing quartz movements with 30m water resistance. While the technical details are similar across the collection, the designs showcase Swatch's creative spirit.
The 47mm Dragon in Cloud has an offset crown and transparent plastic case. The 34mm Dragon in Waves offers a more compact size. The Dragon in Gold channels Japanese urushi techniques with its gold hue. As the only chronograph, the Dragon in Motion features subdials in its 43mm case. The 41mm Dragon in Wind Pay! even enables contactless payments through Swatch Pay.
The chaotic, vibrant aesthetic matches the lively character of the dragon zodiac sign and will surely appeal to the younger crowd. Swatch encourages collecting all five watches to fully experience the range of styles.
Wrap Up
These festive watch designs reflect the joy and optimism surrounding this well-celebrated holiday. The Lunar New Year represents a time to celebrate family, hope for the future, and connect with one's heritage. Many Asian communities come together for elaborate feasts, lion dances, firecrackers, and the exchange of red envelopes while watch companies have embraced the colorful spirit of the holiday by releasing limited edition models ornamented with symbols of luck and prosperity.
The dragon holds particular significance, representing power and nobility. As such, many brands infuse their Lunar New Year watches with intricately engraved or artfully depicted dragonsm, and the watches featured here are among the best we’ve seen. They capture traditional motifs with contemporary flourish and if you can afford them, they make excellent conversation pieces to liven up the new year festivities.
And if you’re interested in making your own limited edition custom watch, you can explore our growing catalog of premium Seiko modding parts. With over a thousand options, you can craft a timepiece as unique as your heritage and personality.
We wish everyone good health and prosperity in the year ahead and happy modding!