Summary Waqt Picks 5 of the Best Releases That Celebrated the Chinese New Year of the Snake

The Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac is a particularly special one, imbued with deep symbolism and unique traits. In Chinese culture, the snake represents wisdom, intelligence, and mystery, making this year a time for reflection, analysis, and renewal. The year is also tied to one of the five elements in the Chinese cycle, wood, fire, earth, metal, or water, which adds an additional layer of meaning and influence over various aspects of life. Throughout this year, qualities such as independence, adaptability, ambition, and sharp intellect are celebrated.

With the approach of the Chinese Year of the Snake, many luxury watch brands have drawn inspiration from these symbolic themes to release special watches in honor of this occasion. In this context, the editorial team at "Waqt" has selected five of the most notable timepieces released to mark the Year of the Snake, combining artistic creativity with precise engineering to offer exceptional pieces that celebrate this unique year.

Breguet Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025:

Breguet honors the legendary Year of the Snake with the release of an exclusive model, limited to only 8 numbered pieces. This exceptional timepiece features two masterful artisanal techniques, guilloché and engraving, demonstrating the brand's expertise in fine craftsmanship.

The watch features an elegant 40mm rose gold case with a slender thickness of just 6.9mm. It boasts a hand-engraved gold dial, which serves as the standout feature, embodying the spirit of the new year. Powered by the Breguet Caliber 502, the movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz) and offers a power reserve of 45 hours. You can read the full article about the watch here.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel ‘Snake’:

The Reverso watch has transcended its origins as a sports timepiece to become a symbol of elegance and artistry. Over the decades, this innovation has served as a canvas to showcase the brand’s craftsmanship, from intricate engravings to enamel painting techniques. This time, the engraving takes a new form, featuring a snake design to celebrate the Chinese New Year, marking this special occasion with a distinctive and meaningful motif.

The case is crafted from rose gold, measuring 45.5mm x 27.4mm x 9.73mm. When the watch is rotated, a hand-engraved image of a snake emerges from golden clouds against a black Grand Feu enamel background, matching the enamel coating of the dial. The watch is powered by the manually wound Caliber 822, offering a 42-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz). You can read the full article about the watch here.

Blancpain Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar 2025:

Blancpain is renowned for its intricate timepieces, often featuring multiple complications that celebrate significant occasions, with Chinese New Year being one of the most recurring themes. This particular watch honors the Year of the Snake with a dial that fluently speaks the language of Chinese tradition, beautifully capturing the essence of the celebration.

The watch features a polished platinum in 45.2mm case with a thickness of 15.1mm. It also includes five hidden buttons beneath the lugs to control the calendar functions. The green Grand Feu enamel dial showcases intricate complications, with a wooden snake symbol appearing in a window at the 12 o'clock position, representing the Chinese zodiac of the current lunar year. Additionally, there is a display for the decade cycle at 3 o'clock, a leap year indicator at 9 o'clock, and the Gregorian date surrounding the dial, with a serpent-shaped hand pointing to it. The watch is powered by the automatic Caliber 3638 movement, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offering a power reserve of up to 7 days. This watch is priced at CHF 81,000 approximately AED 338,000. You can read the full article about the watch here.

Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Red Gold Year of the Snake:

Arnold & Son has long celebrated the Chinese zodiac, having previously released several editions honoring various occasions such as the Year of the Dragon. Today, the brand unveils this new release in celebration of the approaching Chinese Year of the Snake, presenting a timepiece from its renowned Perpetual Moon collection.

The watch comes in a 41.5mm red gold case with a thickness of 11.67mm. The watch features a finely hand-engraved gold snake, mounted on a blue aventurine glass dial. The intricate details, such as the scales, forked tongue, and broad head of the snake, are rendered in a highly realistic manner. The large moon, made of mother-of-pearl with realistic shading, is covered with Super-LumiNova, which illuminates the sky from the aventurine glass. The watch is powered by the in-house A&S1512 movement, providing a generous 90-hour power reserve. This watch is a limited edition to 8 pieces, and priced at CHF 57,200, approximately AED 246,000. You can read the full article about the watch here.

IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake:

IWC has unveiled a new release to celebrate the Chinese New Year, featuring a timepiece that embodies the brand's signature classic style, which is prevalent in many of its iconic watches. This new model combines traditional elegance with innovative details, paying tribute to the Year of the Snake while maintaining IWC’s commitment to high-quality craftsmanship.

The watch comes in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 37.1mm and a thickness of 11.3mm. The dial is in a vibrant burgundy color, symbolizing fire and vitality, which is traditionally associated with the Lunar New Year in Chinese culture. The timepiece is powered by IWC’s in-house automatic movement, Caliber 32800, which operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offers an impressive 5-day power reserve. The movement is also distinguished by a gold-plated rotor shaped like a snake, a tribute to the Chinese New Year. This watch is a limited edition to 500 pieces, and priced at CHF 8,600, approximately AED 36,000. You can read the full article about the watch here.

In conclusion, these exceptional timepieces released by renowned watchmaking brands in celebration of the Chinese New Year not only showcase the craftsmanship of horology but also reflect a deep connection to Chinese culture and its symbolic meanings. By combining intricate technologies with artistic designs, these watches offer unique masterpieces that honor tradition in an innovative way. Each watch is not just a tool for telling time but a true representation of celebrating special moments, making them a valuable addition to any collection. The way these brands commemorate the New Year through such luxurious pieces highlights their commitment to craftsmanship and creativity.