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WATCHES & STYLE
Luxury Watches to Celebrate the Year of the Tiger
by Katherine Arteche
26 Jan 2022
26 Jan 2022
These maisons have continued the lineage of crafting unique zodiac timepieces. For the Year of the Tiger, the tiger motif takes center stage in these exclusive models designed to represent power, dignity, and fortune.
- BLANCPAIN VILLERET TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR 2022
- CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE TIGER
- PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE TIGER
- VACHERON CONSTANTIN MéTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC - YEAR OF THE TIGER
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL "TIGER"
Blancpain began its Traditional Chinese Calendar series in 2012 and has since released new editions according to specific zodiac years, including the Pig, Dog, and Ox. For the Year of the Tiger, the white gold oscillating weight is engraved with an image of the ferocious feline, marking the platinum timepiece as the latest Chinese Calendar edition.
The dial, however, remains the same as the previous iterations before it. The white grand feu enamel displays the main hours and minutes, with the main hands and Roman numeral chapter ring in matching white gold. The face remains absent of lines and sections, save for the Chinese calendar counters, yet the vast amount of white space allows everything else to be neatly placed; the standard Gregorian calendar dates run along the perimeter and are gestured by a blued serpentine hand.
The main indications of the Chinese calendar feature the traditional double-hours, day, month with indication of leap months, a zodiac aperture, the five elements, and the ten celestial stems, as well as a moon phase indicator.
(Related: Top spots for festive CNY 2022 feasting)
- BLANCPAIN VILLERET TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR 2022
- CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE TIGER
- PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE TIGER
- VACHERON CONSTANTIN MéTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC - YEAR OF THE TIGER
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL "TIGER"
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Tiger
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Chopard has faithfully released another zodiac-themed timepiece through the exclusive L.U.C XP series, showcasing its artistic prowess in the art of Urushi lacquering. For the seventh consecutive year, Chopard presents the L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Tiger produced in a limited edition of 88 pieces. Housed in an 18K ethical rose gold case, the in-house L.U.C 96.17-L movement provides up to 65 hours of power reserve for the time-only piece.
The early adoption of this technique for the manufacture’s decorative timepieces was through its collaboration with Japanese artist Kiichiro Masumura. He’s made numerous unique dials for the maison using the time-honored lacquering techniques of Urushi and Maki-e. Among his works include nature-inspired artwork, even including portrayals of a snake and a goat in representation of the Chinese astronomical signs at the time.
- BLANCPAIN VILLERET TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR 2022
- CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE TIGER
- PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE TIGER
- VACHERON CONSTANTIN MéTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC - YEAR OF THE TIGER
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL "TIGER"
Piaget Altiplano Year of the Tiger
Piaget joins the Chinese New Year festivities this year with an Altiplano timepiece featuring an intricately detailed tiger executed in cloisonné grand feu enamel. Meticulously crafted by master-enameller Anita Porchet, the cloisonné technique used for this Altiplano watch is a 4000-year-old decorative art. It starts with a transfer of the design onto the surface of the dial using gold ribbons to create miniature partitions, or cloisons, in which the different enamel pigments are placed. The dial is then fired in the kiln multiple times at temperatures between 820°C and 850°C. Once finished, the dial is varnished which encapsulates the vivid colors and gilded outline.
This minimalist dial creation is limited to a number of 38 timepieces and is housed in a 38 mm 18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds. Powered by the ultra-thin, manual-winding 430P movement, the Altiplano model is the latest addition to the collection’s ultra-thin watchmaking and artistic craftsmanship excellence.
(Related: One-of-a-kind watches for a good cause)
- BLANCPAIN VILLERET TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR 2022
- CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE TIGER
- PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE TIGER
- VACHERON CONSTANTIN MéTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC - YEAR OF THE TIGER
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL "TIGER"
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac - Year of the Tiger
Vacheron Constantin brings their feline creation to life through the Metiers d’Art collection, resulting in two new creations, realized in twelve models each. Several techniques are at play here. Firstly, the scattered floral motifs are etched directly in the metal, creating a depth effect against the Grand Feu enamel dials. The vivid blue (in platinum) and bronze-toned (in 18K 5N pink gold) dials are achieved through the meticulous process of successive layering and firing, an ancestral technique that remains the preserve of a very few particularly skilled artisans. Taking center stage is the hand engraved tiger, crafted from platinum or pink gold to match their corresponding cases.
The time and calendar functions are read through four apertures — hours, minutes, day, and date (only the latter two go through a jumping display) — via the Calibre 2460 G4. The workings are visible through the sapphire crystal back where a 22-carat oscillating weight features a decor inspired by the Maltese cross emblem.
- BLANCPAIN VILLERET TRADITIONAL CHINESE CALENDAR 2022
- CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE TIGER
- PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE TIGER
- VACHERON CONSTANTIN MéTIERS D’ART THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC - YEAR OF THE TIGER
- JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL "TIGER"
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel "Tiger"
The Reverso Tribute Enamel "Tiger" is a black and gold stunner. The inconspicuous dial, designed in opaque black Grand Feu enamel, hides an intricate engraving of the tiger motif on the underside against the pink gold metal. The polished surface of the tiger’s coat and the contrasting rhodium-brushed texture of its stripes catching and refracting the light to create the illusion of movement and power.
On top of celebrating the Lunar Calendar's Year of the Tiger, the thematic Reverso is launched simulatenously with the opening of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new flagship boutique in Shanghai. The timepiece is specially made to order, and offers the possibility of being personalised with different enamel colours.
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