Here be dragons: 4 watches to herald the Lunar New Year
The new year promises strength, power and good fortune, its propitiousness bolstered by the fact that it is the year of the dragon, one of the strongest and most auspicious of Chinese mythical creatures in the zodiac.

While it would seem that those born under this lucky sign stand to gain this new year, other signs too have a chance to align their fortunes with that of the Dragon’s.

Wearing an item that bears the image of the dragon serves both as a reminder of one’s favourable hand as well as a lucky symbol for the year.

ROGER DUBUIS

Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon

The new 42mm pink gold Monotourbillon takes off from its 2020 incarnation with a more abstract approach to the dragon’s mythical form.

This time, 27 individual pieces of brass were employed in the creation of this new dragon, its sides embellished with black lacquer while its polished top surface is given a pink gold treatment.

The pieces are laid out in 25 different levels, adding to the 3D effect, while the same dragon is metalised on the inside of the caseback’s sapphire crystal.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon. — Photo: Roger Dubuis.

The timepiece is powered by the RD512SQ Calibre featuring a lower tourbillon cage in non-magnetic titanium which is two times lighter than stainless steel. The upper tourbillon cage, meanwhile, has a mirror-polished Cobalt Chrome finish.

This is a calibre that presents greater resistance to magnetic fields, with a power reserve of 72 hours. Its brass flange has been galvanised in pink gold while its indexes are rendered in black Super-LumiNova. Limited to just 28 pieces.

CASIO

G-Shock MTG-B3000CXD

Casio G-Shock jumps on the dragon bandwagon with the new MTG-B3000CXD that incorporates the G-Shock’s original resin with metal in the rendering of its golden dragon.

Its inventiveness extends to the bezel and brand loop which is covered in dragon scales formed from gold-coloured ion plating and textured with etching and laser processing. The dragon scale motif is also printed on the dial in a contrasting dark shade and its caseback is engraved with a soaring dragon.

The Casio G-Shock MTG-B3000CXD in its gold-and-black box. Picture from Casio.

The model features the G-Shock MTG series’ triple G resistant (which are shock, centrifugal force, and vibration resistant) and the advanced Dual Core Guard carbon-reinforced resin case.

Uniquely, the case back has an intricate 3D form, created through repeated pressing, cutting and polishing. The caseback serves as the lugs to secure the band as well as the guards for the crown and buttons, thus creating a slimmer, more compact timepiece.

The watch is priced at RM5,688 and available on the Casio E-commerce website besides selected G-Shock stores.

BREITLING

Chronomat B01 42 Year of Dragon

Swiss watchmaking and Chinese culture meet in a limited-edition watch of only 88 pieces. This new exclusive takes on a distinct burgundy dial to symbolise good fortune and prosperity, with triple chronograph counters in black besides a dragon insignia in the subdial at 9 o’clock and on the sapphire crystal caseback.

The Breitling Chronomat B01 42 Year of Dragon is a limited-edition watch of only 88 pieces. — Photo: Breitling

All the codes synonymous with this classic line remain, including the onion crown and raised protective rider tabs that shield the crystal. The rider tabs at the 15-minute and 45-minute positions are interchangeable so that the bezel is able to rotate to count up or down.

The timepiece is available exclusively at Breitling boutiques in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and South-East Asia and is already touted as a highly coveted collectable.

BELL & ROSS

BR 05 Artline Dragon

Bell & Ross incorporates the art of tattooing and the ancient Chinese culture of engraving on a timepiece that showcases an incredibly detailed laser engraving of a dragon on the entire watch including its 40mm case, links and crown guard.

The BR 05 Artline Dragon is limited to only 99 pieces. — Photo: Bell & Ross

As testament to the level of attention to detail, every link on the integrated bracelet is individually engraved before assembly. The end result is a continuity of the dragon form with clearly no room for error.

The timepiece is not just stunning to look at, it is also powered by the calibre BR-CAL.321 with a 54-hour power reserve. Limited to only 99 pieces.
StarExtra,StarChrono
Four watches herald the lunar new year with one of the most powerful and lucky of Chinese mythical creatures.