ENTER THE DRAGON

As the coming Lunar New Year celebrates the power and good for tune of dragons, watchmakers have followed suit with ar tis t ically ref ined timepieces that ref lect the majesty of these mythical spitf ires .

As we approach the Lunar New Year, it is an appropriate time to consider the symbolism of the mythical creature it represents. While the dragon is a symbol of evil, in both the chivalric and Christian traditions, in Eastern traditions, it symbolises supernatural power, wisdom, strength, and hidden knowledge. With its flaming, fiery breath, undulating form, and dynamic personality, the dragon—the fifth animal in the 12-year Lunar cycle—is the embodiment of chaos and untamed nature.

Although watchmakers have traditionally released special-edition models in homage to the animals of the Chinese zodiac, the dragon becomes an especially interesting project for them owing to its majesty. In bringing to life its powerful gaze, the feathery lightness of its scales and the elegant glide of its embellished tail, craftspeople representing metiers d'art like enamelling, engraving, and gem-setting can push the boundaries of their own creativity by creating refined pieces of art within the limitations of a watch case. Each timepiece may represent the form of the dragon in some way, but always stay true to the DNA of the maison itself.