These commemorative luxury timepieces are a natural extension of those born in the year of the Ox.
Melding Swiss watchmaking finesse with an homage to Chinese culture, these Year of the Ox luxury timepieces are not only special because they appear once every 12 years by virtue of the order of the Chinese zodiac, but also because they are a celebration of craftsmanship.
Succeeding the rat and preceding the tiger, the ox remains an indispensable actor in agriculture, treasured for its industry. People born in the year of the ox are said to be equitable, trustworthy and diligent, taking pride in their benevolence. For those who call 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 or 2021 their year of birth, these commemorative luxury timepieces are truly representative of who they are as an individual – and it goes without saying that they make excellent investments.
Blancpain Traditional Chinese Calendar
Available in platinum and red gold, the Traditional Chinese Calendar showcases a medley of Arabic, Roman and Chinese numerals.
An exceptional timepiece bearing the emblem of an ox, the Traditional Chinese Calendar is a union of Blancpain’s craftsmanship, a unique complication and a resolutely modern movement. Housed in a precious platinum case, the luxury timepiece brings to life a complication straddling Chinese and Gregorian calendars atop on an elegant Grand Feu enamel dial. The ox at 12 o’clock presides over the double-hour counter, and subdials indicating the celestial stems and five elements emphasised with Chinese characters. Capped at 50 pieces, the platinum model is complemented with a non-limited edition in red gold.
Breguet Reine de Naples 8955 Cammea Year of the Metal Ox
Fit for a queen, the Reine de Naples 8955 Cammea Year of the Metal Ox is one of two Breguet homages to the year of the ox.
Inspired by the original luxury timepiece Abraham-Louis Breguet conceived specially for the Queen of Naples, the Reine de Naples 8955 Cammea Year of the Metal Ox in 18k rose gold wouldn’t have looked out of place on the wrist of Imperial Chinese empresses; such is the exquisite and regal quality exuded by this timepiece bearing a thematic dial carved out of natural seashell. Ringed with 40 diamonds, weighing approximately 2.42 carats, the timepiece is accentuated with a 0.26-carat briolette diamond for an icing-on-the-cake moment. It is released in a limited and numbered edition of eight pieces.
Breguet Classique 7145 “Year of the Ox”
Engine-turned and engraved by hand, the Classique 7145 “Year of the Ox” features not one but two oxen.
As scarcely available as the Reine de Naples 8955 Cammea Year of the Metal Ox, the Classique 7145 “Year of the Ox” is also produced in eight pieces. Famous for its precision, clarity and elegant proportion, the collection exemplifies Breguet’s watchmaking ideals. This example oozes sophistication through the juxtaposition of the minimalist two Breguet hands and a simply breathtaking engine-turned and hand-engraved gold dial. While artistry clearly takes precedence here, this luxury timepiece beats a contemporary movement endowed with all of Breguet’s know-how.
Piaget Altiplano Year of the Ox
The grand-feu cloisonné enamelling starts with a transfer of the design onto the surface of the dial using gold ribbons to create miniature partitions, or cloisons.
Crafted from 18k white gold, featuring a 38mm diamonds-set case which boasts 78 brilliant-cut diamonds, and produced in 38 pieces, the Altiplano Year of the Ox has all the right symbolism to usher in a prosperous year. This ethereal Piaget creation is accomplished by the hands of influential master enameller Anita Porchet, who immortalises the ox on the Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dial through hard work, dexterity and a dose of imagination. At the heart of this timepiece is Piaget’s own ultra-thin hand-wound movement. In case you wonder, this luxury timepiece too is pretty svelte.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Ox
Echoing Swiss paper-cutting art Scherenschnitt, the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Ox is also inspired by Chinese paper-cutting technique known as Jianzhi.
A proponent of serial timepieces revolving around the Chinese zodiac, Vacheron Constantin ups the ante with an etched vegetal-motif dial, based on a classic Chinese iconography, and an ox engraved by hand. The result is a pattern that remains semi-embedded, yet still possessing a real quality to stand out from a richly decorated base. Completed by talented artisans, the sumptuous Grand Feu enamel dial carries an accentuated depth thanks to a quartet of apertures showing hours, minutes, days and dates. Together, they speak of the unparalleled savoir-faire Vacheron Constantin is renowned for. Available in platinum and 18k pink gold, each reference is limited to 12 pieces.
Ready to usher in the new year with a new luxury timepiece? Visit our boutiques to view the collections.
