Beginning the Year of the Rabbit with Seven Symbolic Timepieces
January 22nd marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year and thus will kick off the Year of the Rabbit. The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are representative symbols of Chinese history, mythology, and customs. More than any other of the animals in the zodiac, the rabbit is closely associated with luck and bringing good fortune. Today, to mark the occasion, we are taking a look at seven brands paying homage to the Year of the Rabbit through new celebratory designs.
Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel
Blancpain is introducing an updated version of its Traditional Chinese Calendar model, this time aptly honoring the Rabbit. The Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel combines the principles of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar with the Gregorian calendar date. As an expression of these two intervals of time, the dial layout utilizes numbers and symbols across three subdials, a moonphase aperture, and a window at 12 o’clock that depicts an image of a rabbit. On the reverse, the crystal case back reveals an oscillating weight that is engraved with two rabbits.
The Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel is limited to production of 50 pieces, each retailing for approximately $94,000 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Blancpain here.
Piaget Altiplano Rabbit
Taking a straightforward and sophisticated approach to this year’s zodiac symbol is Piaget with its Altiplano Zodiac. The dial of the model depicts two rabbits, achieved by a delicate Grand-Feu cloisonné enamel technique. The small-scale artwork was created in partnership with master enameler Anita Porchet to create the soft detailing of the two rabbits. Measuring 38mm in diameter with a svelte height of 6.6mm, the white gold case is finished with a diamond-studded bezel that furthers its elegance.
The Piaget Altiplano Zodiac Rabbit is limited to 38 individually numbered pieces that are available in the brand’s boutiques with the price available upon request.
To learn more, visit Piaget here.
Ulysse Nardin Classico Rabbit
Much like the prior, Ulysse Nardin is not new to celebrating the Chinese New Year with a commemorative piece, this time naming its annual model the Classico Rabbit. The artistic piece uses the champlevé and cloisonné methods of enameling to depict a scene of two rabbits in a mountainous landscape. The technique requires precise skills, though it results in a complex level of handcrafted detailing. The 40mm case is made from rose gold, complementing the warm tones of the dial and the rose gold hands and indices.
The Ulysse Nardin Classico Rabbit is limited to 88 pieces each retailing for $45,900.
To learn more, visit Ulysse Nardin here.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit
Vacheron Constantin is honoring the rabbit front and center of its Métiers d’Art the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit. In the center of the dial is a meticulously engraved rabbit brought to life against a flower motif backdrop that is based on classic Chinese iconography and etched directly in the metal. The 40mm watch is available in either a platinum or pink gold case, with the engraved rabbit taking shape in the material respective to that of the case. On the periphery of the dial are four windows displaying the hour, minute, weekday, and date. Powering the timepiece is the self-winding manufacture caliber 2460 G4.
The Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit is a limited series of 9 pieces per reference and is only available at Vacheron Constantin Boutiques with pricing available upon request.
To learn more, visit Vacheron Constantin here.
Franck Muller #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard
Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller joined forces with Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 to create the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard in celebration of the Year of the Rabbit. In the first collaboration between these two distinct brands, Franck Muller is adopting the distinctive design language of #FR2 using its Vanguard watch as a base. The timepiece has a matte white dial with black hands, markings, and appliqué indices that create a high-contrast look. The watch is made edgier by #FR2's provocative “Fxxking Rabbits” motif in place of the 7 and 8 o’clock indices. The tonneau-shaped case that is characteristic of the Vanguard takes shape in a new carbon and glass fiber composite.
The Franck Muller #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard is a limited edition of 800 pieces, and is exclusively available across Southeast Asia and Australia.
To learn more, visit Franck Muller here.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit”
This year, Arnold & Son is joining the Chinese zodiac with its Perpetual Moon collection with the release of its Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit” model. The unique watch depicts a sculpted 18-carat rose gold rabbit seated beside a waterfall-covered pagoda, all set against a black aventurine backdrop. In a large aperture on the upper half of the dial is a turning disc that depicts the phases of the moon crafted from mother-of-pearl with painted elements in relief, all enhanced with Super-LumiNova. Inside the model is the Arnold & Son caliber A&S1512, a manually wound movement equipped with a double barrel and a 90-hour power reserve.
Pricing for the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit” is marked at approximately $61,530 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Arnold & Son here.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit
The final zodiac-inspired watch on our list is the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit from Chopard. The timepiece is clad in ethical rose gold with its design based on the L.U.C XP extra-flat collection. Honoring the rabbit, the dial is decorated with a scene of two rabbits in motion using the traditional Urushi Maki-e technique, which is a combination of lacquer and gold powder. On the exterior, the 39.5mm case has been sculpted from a block of 18-carat rose gold, sourced from an ethical supply chain pioneered by Chopard. The case has a svelte thickness of 6.8mm, made possible by the in-house L.U.C 96.17-L self-winding movement.
Pricing for the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit is available upon request.
To learn more, visit Chopard here.
- Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel
- Piaget Altiplano Rabbit
- Ulysse Nardin Classico Rabbit
- Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rabbit
- Franck Muller #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard
- Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon “Year of the Rabbit”
- Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rabbit
