Five exclusive, serpent-inspired timepieces for this Lunar New Year
The significance of the snake is deeply rooted in rich symbolism, drawing from ancient Chinese myth, where the creature is seen as a symbol of wisdom and transformation. It is also renowned for its mystique, strength and ability to shed its skin, embodying renewal and resilience. These powerful traits have inspired some of the world’s leading watchmakers to embrace the Wood Snake tradition.
From bold, artistic depictions to refined craftsmanship and symbolic details, these exceptional timepieces pay homage to the Lunar New Year, as well as the sinuous form and enigmatic allure of the serpent.
Breguet: A handcrafted icon
Featuring a beautiful hand-engraved dial, the Breguet Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025 highlights the meticulous craftsmanship of the Maison’s artisans. The sapphire crystal reveals a miniature sculpture of a snake on the dial, which is hand engraved using the bas-relief technique – the art of engraving on gold.
The snake’s body is also hand-guilloché and polished to perfection, set against a miniature painting of foliage in rich shades of deep and sea green.
Of course, the timepiece features the signature, apple-topped Breguet hands, while the hour markers are denoted by discreet round gold indices. The magic continues when you flip the 40mm timepiece over, as the gold oscillating weight is adorned with a hand-guilloché barleycorn motif.
The 18-carat rose gold watch is equipped with a 502.3 automatic movement with a 45-hour power reserve and limited to just eight pieces, making it a true collector’s item.
Visit Breguet for more information.
Franck Muller: An emerald masterpiece
Franck Muller celebrates the 2025 Lunar New Year with the Silhouette CX Snake, which not only features a stunning emerald detail but also marks the debut of the new asymmetrical 18K rose gold case.
At the heart of the expression is a captivating snake motif, encrusted with emeralds of varying diameters. Each stone is meticulously hand-placed using the snow-setting technique. Meanwhile, the asymmetrical dial is crafted using advanced 3D CNC machining to ensure that the numerical indicators have perfect alignment.
Completing the watch’s aesthetic appeal is a serpentine green strap, made from calf leather and embossed with a snakeskin texture. It is powered by an MVT FM 2038 movement with a 40-hour power reserve and limited to just 28 pieces.
Visit Franck Muller Asia Pacific for more information.
Hublot: A sophisticated black and gold expression
Since 2016, Hublot has celebrated each Lunar New Year with an artfully rendered special edition of the Spirit of Big Bang. For the Year of the Wood Snake, the Maison reinterprets the zodiac creature in an ornate rendition, limited to just 88 pieces.
The Spirit of Big Bang’s signature open dial reveals an eye-catching, three-dimensional, gold-plated snake. Crafted using advanced laser technologies, the motif boasts lifelike details and is positioned as though slithering around the watch’s three counters. The open dial also displays Hublot’s automatic skeleton chronograph calibre HUB4700, offering a 50-hour power reserve.
Finally, the black barrel-shaped ceramic case boasts Hublot’s patented One-Click strap changing mechanism with a screwed ceramic bezel, engraved to reveal a pattern of snake scales. This pattern also extends to the black rubber strap with a slight shimmer and unique velvet finish, using an innovative embossing technique.
Visit Hublot for more information.
IWC Schaffhausen: Burgundy and gold in perfect harmony
Boasting a 37-millimetre stainless steel case, the limited-edition IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake charms with its burgundy dial, which symbolises the vibrant colour of fire, typically used to welcome and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
The eyes are instantly drawn to the golden moon phase display that depicts the actual orbit of the Earth’s satellite in 122 years—a fitting tribute to the lunar new year. The gold moon and stars stand out against the deep red background, as well as with the gold-plated hands and appliques.
The timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32800 calibre movement, with automatic winding and a 120-hour power reserve. It is also available with a black or a burgundy calf leather strap and limited to just 500 pieces.
Visit IWC Schaffhausen for more information.
Blancpain: Tribute to the Jade Emperor
Blancpain first introduced the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar watch in 2012, highlighting each year’s zodiac sign. For the 2025 edition, the Maison pays tribute to the legend of the Jade Emperor with the full-fired grand feu enamel dial of the Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025.
This stunning expression features a hand-drawn snake, engraved on the 22-carat white gold winding rotor. It is adorned with a natural ruby and Chinese characters engraving of the words ‘serpent’ and ‘snake’.
The deep green dial features new indications, including a 12 o’clock aperture that reveals updated portraits of the zodiac animals; a sexagesimal cycle displaying the five elements combined with Yin and Yang; a Chinese days and months indicator; and a double Chinese hours indicator.
The timepiece also includes Blancpain’s signature moon phase display and a Gregorian date, shown with a serpentine hand.
To match the dial’s colour, the timepiece comes in a chocolate brown alligator strap. It is powered by a 3638-calibre movement and is limited to just 50 pieces.
Visit Blancpain for more information.
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