The Chinese New Year -- the Year of the Pig – is upon us, and to celebrate certain top watchmakers have pulled out all the stops, creating watches with the likeness of some pretty cute pigs on them. The pig represents abundance and joviality. The animal is considered a hard worker, considerate and smart. Here we take a look at six Year of the Pig timepieces.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig
The Chopard L.U. C XP Urushi Year of the Pig watch is created using the ancient art of lacquer known as Urushi. It is actually a sap or resin taken from a special Japanese “varnish” tree, cured for three to five years, and then turned into a paint-like substance. The new 18-karat gold timepiece is being created in a limited edition of just 88 pieces and is powered by the ultra-thin L.U.C movement. Each of the 88 dials is created under the watchful eye of Master painter, Kiichiro Masamura, considered a Living National Treasure in Japan. He partners with Chopard and the Yamad Heiando Company’s Urushi grand master, Minori Koizumi. Because every dial is individually painted, each is a unique piece.
Jaquet Droz Chines New Year
Swiss watch brand Jaquet Droz recreates the iconic animal in several ways, including a pair of Petite Heure Minute watches in 18-karat 5N rose gold. Each is issued in a series of 28 pieces. There is a 35mm version set with diamonds and a 39mm version, as well. One version features a dial hand painted with an adorable pig prancing around, with a field of goldenrod behind him. The second Year of the Pig version features a bolder and more masculine-looking wild boar engraved and sculpted gold pig set onto the dial in front of eight oak trees.
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Year of the Pig engraved dial watches celebrate the Chinese New... [+]
Ulysse Nardin Classico Pig
In its series of Chinese calendar watches, Ulysse Nardin devotes the Year of the Pig to a more whimsical interpretation. Painted in several places on the dial, with a flower motif surrounding the pig, the watch is a statement in discreet but adorable Chinese celebration.
Each dial is created by master craftsman Pierre-Alain Lozeron who carves his designs onto the dial and then enamellers paint the cells with the proper colors that are then fired in a kiln. Another round of engraving also takes place once the dial is fired – translating to about 30 hours of miniscule painting and engraving to complete a single dial. The dial is deep red and complements the 18-karat rose gold case. The watch measures 40mm in diameter and is powered by a self-winding in-house-made UN 815 caliber with 42 hours of power reserve. Because the number 8 is highly symbolic in China (it represents happiness), this watch is being made in a limited edition of 88 pieces.
Panerai Luminor Sealand 44mm
Being ever so discreet about the placement of the pig on its watch, Panerai unveils the Luminor Sealand 44mm watch with engraved pig –surrounded by flowers – recreated on the hunter-style case. The technique used to form the pig is an ancient sparsello technique wherein grooves are made in the steel case and then threads of gold are inlaid into the grooves. The engraved cover opens to reveal a gray dial. The watch is powered by the P.9010 automatic caliber, with a three-day power reserve. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art the legend of the Chinese zodiac year of the pig
As it has with each of its previous Legend of the Chinese Zodiac watches, Vacheron Constantin gives this year’s pig full prominence on the dial by removing the traditional hands for time telling. Instead, the brand offers apertures that depict the hours and minutes, as well as the day and date. This way, the engraved and sculpted gold pig comfortably resides on the entire dial. There are two versions: a platinum model with blue Grand Feu enamel dial background and a platinum pig, and a rose gold version with a red Grand Feu enamel dial and rose gold pig. Also on the dial is a floral motif etched directly onto the dial behind the pig. Just 12 pieces of each will be created. Each is powered by the brand’s in-house-made Caliber 2460 G4 that carries the Hallmark of Geneva.
Harry Winston The Premier Chinese New Year Automatic
Looking to offer women a very special piece, Harry Winston honors the Chinese Year of the Pig with a luxurious rose gold Premier Automatic 36mm timepiece crafted in rose gold and featuring a bright red dial. On the dial is a sculpted pig created in gold with pearl marquetry. The dial also features magnolia flowers to further pay tribute to China’s richest cultural traditions. Essentially, the artist uses different tones of mother of pearl that are then meticulously set onto the gold base of the pig. The pig in this instance is jovial and charming with a raised snout, curly tail and a diamond for the eye. The watch is fully set with a bezel of diamonds.
