Reading time in the Year of the Rabbit
The year 2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit, according to the Chinese zodiac. It began on January 22, 2023, which marked the Chinese New Year, and will end on February 9, 2024. The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope, something that is highly needed in today’s world. We bring you a round-up of the timepieces celebrating the Chinese New Year presented by high-end watchmakers
Arnold & Son – Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit”
Arnold & Son released a limited edition of eight timepieces of its Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit.” The timepiece features a sculpted golden rabbit against a backdrop of black aventurine, posing next to a pagoda surrounded by waterfalls. In a large aperture, a turning disc reveals the waxing and waning of the crescent moon and its light. Pale during the day, it shines brightly at night and is transformed, its face adorned with scintillating details. The watch houses the A&S1512 calibre, entirely produced in-house, powered by a double barrel with an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, delivering a 90-hour power reserve.
Blancpain – Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar
A 50-piece limited edition, this watch displays the Chinese calendar on its dial along with the Gregorian one. Moon phases are also represented as they serve to determine the Chinese calendar months. Measuring 45 mm, the double-stepped platinum case of the Traditional Chinese Calendar is faithful to the Villeret aesthetic. The famous Blancpain correctors are concealed beneath its lugs and can be activated by the simple touch of a finger. Equipped with a sapphire caseback, it houses the 3638 self-winding movement whose gold oscillating weight is engraved with the rabbit, depicted as a couple inspiring gentleness and trust.
Chopard – Happy Sport Year of the Rabbit
Clad in a majestic ruby-red dress, the 88-piece limited edition Happy Sport Year of the Rabbit is housed in a 33-mm stainless steel case featuring sparkling ethical rose gold accents on the diamond-set bezel, cabochons, and crown. The embodiment of the sporty-chic trend sends five dancing diamonds whirling around a splendid mother-of-pearl dial adorned with the golden outline of a rabbit on a textured mother-of-pearl base featuring a red gradient enhanced by a wave motif. Paired with a red leather strap, the Happy Sport beats to the rhythm of the Chopard 09.01-C movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
Chopard – L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit
Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit is an 88-piece limited edition in ethical 18-carat rose gold. The 39.5-mm case frames a dial portraying the rabbit – a cautious and alert animal – and its relationship with the moon. Its dial – graced with Urushi lacquer, gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlays – is made by a Japanese artisan drawing on centuries of expertise. It brings a sense of both symbolism and prosperity to this coveted edition. Finally, its ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L with automatic winding via a micro-rotor is endowed with a 65-hour power reserve.
IWC Schaffhausen – Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Chinese New Year”
Limited to 500 pieces, this watch features a 40-mm stainless steel case, a burgundy dial, and gold-plated hands and appliques. A glance at the IWC-manufactured 82200 calibre through the transparent sapphire case back reveals the gold-plated rotor in the form of a rabbit. The automatic Pellaton winding system builds up a power reserve of 60 hours. In addition, the case back ring is engraved “2023 Year of the Rabbit.” The watch is delivered with two calfskin straps, in black and colour-gradated burgundy.
Parmigiani Fleurier – Tonda PF Xiali Calendar
The Tonda PF Xiali Calendar is extremely complex and Parmigiani Fleurier has succeeded in condensing all of this complex information on a dial: hours, minutes, the month and its numbering; an additional month when applicable; short and long months; solar terms as corresponding to 24 divisions of 15° of the sun’s path along the ecliptic; pointer and name of the year; indication of the animal and the elements with alternating colours, whether Yin or Yang; numbering of the days and moon-phases. Adjustments are made quickly thanks to the various correctors located on both sides of the case middle. The extremely sophisticated Calibre PF008 allows for the display of this information in the classical Chinese characters. The complication is mechanically programmed and covers a period of 12 years via a cam system and must be reset for a new equivalent period.
Piaget – Altiplano Zodiac
As a tribute to the cultural Chinese festivities, the limited-edition Altiplano timepiece features the year’s zodiac animal in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. After eleven horological and enamel creations, this year marks the last zodiac sign in the series. Created by the master enameller Anita Porchet, who has been collaborating with Piaget since 2006 with her flawless art, these 38 pieces limited edition Altiplano depict two luminous rabbits, housed in a 38 mm 18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.71 ct). Powered by the Maison’s ultra-thin, manual-winding 430P movement, the boutique-exclusive Altiplano is fitted with a black alligator leather strap.
Hublot – Spirit Of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit
Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot invited Chinese artist Wen Na to craft a new Year of the Rabbit painting and presents the 12-piece limited edition Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit. Wen has visualised 12 double-hours from the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and combined them with traditional elements of the Lunar New Year. We can find festive lanterns, firecrackers, and lion dance in the artwork; each hand-painted dial is created through a complicated process that takes over 40 hours. Each dial of the 12 pieces is different from the others – all unique artworks that house the HUB 1710 self-winding movement with a power reserve of around 50 hours.
