Chinese New Year 2023: celebrate the year of the rabbit with these watches

Watchmakers present their rabbit-inspired collections to celebrate Chinese New Year 2023

Not only fashion brands bring out collections inspired by the Lunar New Year, but the luxury watchmakers most important in the industry also welcome the Chinese New Year with their models. In 2022, the water tiger was the favorite animal of the year, this 2023 the rabbit is in charge of representing the Asian calendar that begins on Sunday, January 22.

Of the 12 signs of the zodiac (or animals in the case of the Chinese calendar) the rabbit is considered to be the one thatbrings the most luck. We present you the best watches to celebrate the entrance of the Chinese New Year 2023.

Watches inspired by the Year of the Rabbit

Dior 

The Dior Grand Sir watch collection combines the refined creativity and chromatic taste of the Maison. For the Chinese New Year, the house launches a model with the animal of the year accompanied by a dragonfly, both symbols of good luck. The watch dial shows the rabbit jumping, a poetic interpretation of the iconic Taile de Jouy motif. The vegetal elements have been recreated through different gold and mother-of-pearl layers.

The dial has a layered effect that brings depth and lightness in blue colors with golden sparkles representing a starry sky. It is crowned with a delicate bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The limited edition, which like Chopard, has opted for 88 pieces, with 8 being the lucky number.

Chopard

Chopard is inspired by the lunar calendar and gives way to the Chinese New Year with two new models. The watches pay tribute to the little animal of the year, with the red and brown colors as protagonists. Of this new collection 88 pieces have been manufactured, since 8 is the preferred number in Chinese society representing wealth and luck.

The Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi is designed for lovers of traditional watches. It has been manufactured by artisans specialized in the Maki-e technique, a practice that consists of applying gold flakes between each layer of lacquer. On the other hand, the Chopard Happy Sport model, has a sporty air as its name suggests. In bright red and with a leather strap, this watch hides a rabbit on its dial. It has been added mobile diamonds inside and around it.

IWC

Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC presents the Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year” model to commemorate the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. This classic Portugieser features a striking burgundy-colored dial and gold-plated hands and appliques. A highlight is hidden on the back: the gold-plated rabbit silhouette. The red symbolizes longevity, happiness and success, as well as good luck.

This model recaptures the clean and crisp design of the first Portugieser from 1939, which was also the Year of the Rabbit. With its timeless design, this limited edition perfectly represents the calm and peace associated with this zodiac animal.

Jaeger-LeCoultre 

Jaeger-LeCoultre launches a new campaign with Chinese actor, dancer and singer Jackson Yee to celebrate the Lunar Year. Under the name “Moments Made of Gold”, the campaign celebrates those special moments that transmit positive energies and create good memories. “For me, this watch has a special meaning because the moon governs our Chinese New Year but also because its timeless elegance is like an anchor in a world that seems to spin faster with time. It symbolizes the relationship between reality, time and our dreams for the future,” Jackson says.

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Tourbillon Moon watch that Yee wears on her wrist exudes modernity, elegance and timelessness. The campaign was shot against a minimalist backdrop in red and gold. The center, is dominated by a great golden sculpture based on the new Art Deco alphabet by Alex Trochut. The letter “M” as in “Master” of the watch.

Piaget

Piaget launches a true tribute to Chinese culture, with the Altiplano Rabbit Grand Feu watch exclusive very limited edition (only 38 pieces will be produced). The Swiss firm has been creating watches to celebrate the Chinese New Year since 2012. This year, it features an incredibly realistic-looking design on the dial. Piaget turns to one of the most well-known and respected masters in the world: Anita Porchet (with whom it has worked since 2006 on different projects.

The spheres hand-painted with Grand Feu cloisonné enamel represent two rabbits delineated in gold. The pictorial technique executed by Porchet alludes to the chiaroscuro style of artistic painting, using shadows to add depth to the drawing..

Vacheron Constantin

Following the strong attributes of longevity and prosperity, Vacheron Constantin has introduced a new watch: Métiers d’Art, The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit. Featuring a dial with exquisite hand-engraved details, the two pink gold and platinum limited edition models reintroduce the decoupage technique from China and Switzerland. Only nine pieces of each model will be produced, 18 in total.

Made with the most precise craftsmanship, the plant motifs are based on classical Chinese iconography engraved directly on metal. The Grand Fes enameling, an ancestral technique that requires a great deal of expertise, makes this watch an incomparable piece.

Harry WinstonMétiers d’Art, Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit by Vacheron Constantin

For the Chinese New Year Harry Winston is inspired by the legend of the Jade Rabbit and launches the Premier Chinese New Year Automatic watch. According to Chinese tradition, the marks seen on the moon reflects the silhouette of the rabbit. This is due to an ancient story that tells how three wise men asked for food from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. While the others found food, the rabbit could only offer grass, and so, instead, he offered himself. The wise men, seeing this generous action, decided to rescue him and send him to the Moon Palace, where he took his place as the Jade Rabbit, living on the moon forever.

Crafted with 18-carat pink gold and set with 57 diamonds Harry Winston’s artisans chose to recall the Jade Rabbit picking wildflowers.

So much for our selection of luxury watches inspired by the Chinese New Year and the rabbit.

Images provided by the brands mentioned above.