Round-UpAs The Serpent Raises Its Hooded Head: Watches That Pay Tribute To The Chinese Zodiac And The Year Of The Snake
With the new Chinese lunar year having commenced on January 29, 2025, the mysterious snake now rules the zodiac through 2025 after the dragon has gone into hibernation for the next 11 years. Here are the watches that pay homage to the Chinese zodiac and the Year of the Snake
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Ancient mythology associated with the lunar cycles is fascinating to anyone who loves stories. And of these, the most relatable stories come from the Chinese zodiac. As the dragon gets set to hibernate, the serpent has now risen, as of January 29, 2025, until the horse replaces it in February 2026. To honour the mysterious snake, watch brands present their tributes to the Chinese zodiac and the Year of the Snake. That artists and designers find inspiration in the Chinese zodiac is not surprising. Art, much like stories, is open to interpretation, and it is fascinating to see how watch brands present their tributes to the Chinese zodiac. Here are the tribute timepieces from Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Longines, Oris, Ciga Design and Jacquet Droz.
The Chinese Zodiac And The Year Of The Snake
Legend has it that in the ‘great race’ to decide 12 guards for the Jade emperor, the rat came first, the ox second, followed by the tiger, rabbit, dragon, and, in sixth place, was the snake. Associated with mystery, the snake is known to be wise, strategic, determined and stubborn. Its ability to shed its skin is a metaphor for transformation and adaptability. Those born under the sign of the snake are believed to be goal-oriented, with the ability to form deep, meaningful relationships with others. Of the five elements associated with the zodiac, the year 2025 is the year of the wood snake.
Here are the tributes to the Chinese zodiac and the Year of the Wood Snake
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Year of the Snake
- IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake
- Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake
- Oris ProPilot X Year of the Snake
- Ciga Design Year of the Snake
- Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 ‘Year of the Snake’
- Perrelet Turbine Snake
- Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake
- Corum Golden Bridge ‘Serpent’
- Baume & Mercier Riviera Chinese New Year Limited Edition Year of the Snake
- Jacquet Droz Ophidian Hour
- Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar Goldtech
- Parmigiani Tonda PF Xiali Complete Calendar
- Raymond Weil Millesime Infinite Burgundy
The dual-faced serpent
Jaeger-LeCoultre And The Year Of The Snake
Just like it formed the backdrop for the dragon, the swivelling canvas of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel timepiece is best suited to an artist’s expression of the mysterious snake. While one face of the rose gold timepiece features a rich enamelled dial with matching rose hold indexes and hands, the reverse displays a beautiful etching of a serpent ready to strike. Engraving a motif onto an enamelled surface makes the work of the engraver that much harder because the slightest error can mean starting over from the beginning. Against the black grand feu enamelled surface, a rose gold snake surrounded by clouds looks menacing, its expression sinister, its tongue at the ready.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Snake Timepiece In A Nutshell
- Case: Pink gold; 45.5mm by 27.4mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Black, grand feu enamelling; pink gold indexes, hands; glossy black grand feu enamelled reverse with engraved snake and clouds
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Movement: Manual-winding calibre 822; power reserve of 42 hours
- Strap: Black, alligator leather
Golden serpent and the moon phase
IWC And The Year Of The Snake
After last year’s Portugieser Chronograph Year of the Dragon watch, this year the brand present the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake timepiece. For a watch inspired by the lunar calendar, a moon phase indicator seems appropriate. Moreover, IWC’s moon phase displays are known to be extremely accurate, courtesy of the reduction gear between the day star and the moon phase disc. The 37.1mm steel case features a sapphire crystal glass over both dial and caseback. It is here that a golden serpent lies coiled, oscillating as rotors usually do. Powered by the brand’s automatic 32800 calibre, the watch offers a reserve of 120 hours. On the rich burgundy dial, the minute track, indexes and leaf shaped hands stand out in gold. The moon phase indicator at 12 also displays the moon and stars in the same gilt. The watch is paired with a matching maroon leather strap.
IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: Steel; 37.1mm
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal; caseback displays a rotor in the shape of a golden snake
- Dial: Burgundy; gold plated indexes, hands, moon phase display
- Functions: Hours, minutes, hacking seconds, moon phase indicator
- Movement: Automatic 32800 calibre; power reserve of 120 hours
- Strap: Black/maroon leather strap
The serpent and the magic mushroom
Longines And The Year Of The Snake
Longines present their tribute to the Chinese zodiac on their Conquest Heritage canvas. A steel case sized at 40mm, with a thickness of 10.8mm, houses the brand’s L888.5 calibre, whose silicon balance spring ensures enhanced magnetic resistance. This is hidden between a closed caseback decorated with a snake tattoo, and a beautiful fumé dial in a rich red hue. An auspicious hue associated with new beginnings, the dial darkens around the periphery, highlighting facetted, gold-plated wedge indexes. Dauphine hands in a matching gilt allow the red of the dial shine. The brand have tied up with Chinese artist Wu Jian’an for the special tribute to the snake. On the caseback, a tattooed snake holds a Lingzhi mushroom in its mouth. Regarded as a magic herb, the fungi is also believed to bring good fortune.
Longines Conquest Heritage Year Of The Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: Steel; 40mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Caseback: Steel; etching of a snake with a Lingzhi mushroom in its mouth
- Dial: Deep red fumé dial; gold plated indexes, hands
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Movement: Automatic L888.5 calibre; 72-hour power reserve
- Strap: Black leather strap
Auspicious hues and the skeletal snake
Oris And The Year Of The Snake
This is the first time Oris have joined the zodiac bandwagon. And in true Oris style, they’re doing things their own way. For starters, the skeletonised dial has accents in cyan, the colour associated with the wood snake. The brand’s 44mm titanium ProPilot X case forms the base for their interpretation of the Chinese zodiac. Housed between sapphire crystal glass over the dial and caseback is the brand’s manually-wound calibre 115, with a 240-hour power reserve. Bridges on the skeletonised dial in teal allow for a view of the movement’s components through the multi-dimensional timepiece. At three o’clock is the 10-day power reserve indicator, marked in white for clean legibility. Here, a striking serpentine hand in gold stands out against the teal treatment. This muted tribute to the Year of the Snake makes this watch as timeless as it is gorgeous.
Oris ProPilot X Year Of The Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: Titanium; 44mm
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Skeleton; cyan treatment for bridges, power reserve indicator at three o’clock with a snake-shaped hand, small seconds at 7.30
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Movement: Calibre 115; hand-wound; 10 days of power reserve
- Strap: Titanium bracelet
The snake with a twitching tail
CIGA Design Year Of The Snake
Chinese watch brand CIGA Design pay tribute to their zodiac with a dynamic snake in the centre of the timepiece. The pebble-shaped 46mm case is crafted from black agate or jadeite, a mineral believed to have healing properties, and features a thickness of 15mm. A scale motif on the rubber strap evokes a snake’s skin. A similar pattern decorates the black aluminium dial centre, where a satin finished and facetted snake takes centre-stage. Gold plated, the carved snake stands out against the black dial with its monochromatic grey markings. Its head points to the hours on a fixed disc, marked around the periphery of the watch. A concentric inner disc features the minute markings. This is where the magic of the timepiece is apparent. Here, the snake’s tail moves along with the disc to indicate the minute of the hour. A fitting tribute from a house that has a number of design awards to their name.
CIGA Design Year Of The Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: Jadeite or black agate mineral; 46mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Aluminium with a black coating; textured snakeskin pattern in the centre; satin finished, facetted and gold plated snake carving; concentric fixed hour ring and moving minutes disc on periphery
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Movement: Automatic; 40-hour power reserve
- Strap: Rubber, with a snake skin texture
Hand-engraved snake and iridescent moon
Arnold & Son And The Year Of The Snake
Every element on the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 ‘Year of the Snake’ timepiece unites in an effort to tell the story of the reptile’s desire for transformation. A red gold case sized at a comfortable 41.5mm frames an aventurine glass dial that evokes the night sky. Against this starry backdrop, in an aperture in the upper half of the watch is a glistening, oversized mother-of-pearl moon. Overlaid with Super-LumiNova, the large moon acquires an otherworldly quality in darkened conditions. As if being viewed on a clear night, the iridescent moon is surrounded by more stars, and mapped constellations. In the lower half of the dial, a golden snake with stunning details on its scales lies wrapped around a ginkgo biloba tree, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and health benefits for the heart, brain etc. Arnold & Son’s secret tribute to the Chinese zodiac is the pagoda at four o’clock. The real magic of the timepiece, however, is the A&S1512 calibre, whose moon-phase display will remain accurate for at least 122 years. On the open caseback is a secondary and easier-to-read moon phase display. The Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 ‘Year of the Snake’ watch is limited to eight pieces only.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 ‘Year of the Snake’ In A Nutshell
- Case: Red gold; 41.5mm
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Aventurine glass; oversized moon-phase display; hand-engraved rose gold golden snake wrapped around a gingko biloba tree
- Functions: Hours, minutes, moon-phase display
- Movement: A&S1512; manual winding calibre; 90-hour-power reserve
- Strap: Blue alligator leather
Serpent in the turbine
Perrelet And The Year Of The Snake
For their Turbine Snake watch, Perrelet have used their turbine technology, with a three dimensional serpent hidden behind the engineering. Black DLC coating covers the grade 2 titanium case, with a diameter of 41mm and a thickness of 13.82mm. The case features a fluted crown and lugs that integrate with the black rubber strap. At first glance, the dial looks like any other Perrelet turbine. Twelve aluminium blades and five counterweights have been crafted carefully to ensure they return to their original position once their kinetic energy is exhausted. Activated when the wearer moves their wrist, the turbine shifts, revealing a golden three dimensional serpent stamped onto a red disc underneath. Baring a forked tongue and a shrewd expression, the serpent plays peekaboo behind the blackened, anodised, aluminium blades. On the periphery is a red track that matches the backdrop of the snake. Embossed hour markers and numerals are displayed boldly in white and filled with Super-LumiNova. Rose gold hour and minute hands are also filled with lume for enhanced legibility. The COSC-certified automatic calibre P-331-MH powers the Perrelet Turbine Snake watch. Besides a view of the calibre, the caseback also displays a snake tattooed onto the crystal.
Perrelet Turbine Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: 41mm; DLC treated grade 2 titanium
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Black anodised aluminium turbine with 12 blades and 5 counterweights; red lacquered base with 3D golden snake; Arabic numerals and markers filled with SLN; rose gold hands filled with SLN
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Movement: P-331-MH; automatic; COSC certified; 42-hour power reserve
- Strap: Black rubber strap
The serpent that engulfed a watch
Hublot And The Year Of The Snake
Hublot’s tribute to the Chinese zodiac goes beyond the watch’s dial and caseback. The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake is a comprehensive ode to the reptile, and each aspect of the watch has been engulfed by the snake. With a diameter of 42mm, the barrel shaped ceramic case features a ceramic bezel engraved with a snake scale pattern. Even the H-shaped screws seem to blend in with the serpentine skin on this timepiece. The pattern flows down onto the embossed black rubber strap with its shimmering velvet finish. The open-worked dial of the timepiece reveals a laser engraved and gold-plated snake wrapped around the chronograph’s sub-dials. Accents on the dial—the hour markers, minute track, timekeeping and chronograph hands—are in a matching gilt, while the darkened components of the HUB4700 calibre sit discreetly behind the slithering gold. The self-winding mechanical calibre is an updated version of the 1969 El Primero movement. It beats at a frequency of 36,000vph and offers a power reserve of 50 hours. The date window is at 4.30 while the skeletonised date wheel can be viewed on the periphery of the dial.
Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Year Of The Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: 42mm, barrel shaped, ceramic; bezel engraved with snake skin pattern
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Openworked; gold plated snake around sub-dials; small seconds at nine, 30 minute and 12-hour counters at three and six o’clock; gold plated hour markers, timekeeping and chronograph hands
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
- Movement: HUB4700; automatic; 50-hour power reserve
- Strap: Black rubber embossed with snake skin pattern
Snake On A Bridge
Corum And The Year Of The Snake
Not exactly crafted for the Chinese zodiac, the release of Corum’s Golden Bridge ‘Serpent’ timepiece just happens to coincide with the Year of the Snake. It made it to the list for how stunning the craftsmanship of this skeleton watch is. A tonneau shaped case crafted from rose gold appears like a gilded cage for the serpent in a golden jungle. This is primarily because of the sapphire crystal glass covering nearly every flat surface of the timepiece. The central bridge that gives the watch its name is made from gold. Wrapped around this bridge is the serpent, crafted in stunning detail. Large monstera leaves, also crafted in great detail, surround the snake. With great attention to detail, the snake can also be seen through the foliage from an angle via the profile. Almost as if one were viewing the reptile in its natural habitat. The watch is powered by the brand’s Golden Bridge CO 113 calibre, a hand wound movement with 190 components. This unique piece is as timeless as the scenery it displays.
Corum Golden Bridge ‘Serpent’ In A Nutshell
- Case: Tonneau; 34mm x 51mm; 18k rose gold case and crown
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Skeleton; golden, vertical bridge with hand painted snake wrapped around; hand painted flora; skeletonised, 5N gold toned hands
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Movement: CO113; manual winding; power reserve of 40 hours
- Strap: Brown alligator leather; rose gold clasp
The river snake
Baume & Mercier And The Year Of The Snake
On the Baume & Mercier Riviera Chinese New Year Limited Edition Year of the Snake watch, a snake subtly integrates with the wave pattern on the dial. Its steel case is sized at 39mm, features a dodecagonal, sandblasted titanium bezel, and an octagonal crown at three. A gold PVD coating decorates the steel case middle. The exhibition caseback reveals the Baumatic movement BM13-1975 A, with a five-day power reserve. On the caseback, besides a view of this movement is a gilded snake decal. Poised with its forked tongue out, this serpent appears to be swishing its tail as it raises its hooded head. The Riviera’s signature wave pattern decorates the smoked grey sapphire crystal dial. At 4.30 on the dial—symbolic of the south east direction—lies the serpent’s tail. The reptile’s face is at nine, a position that heralds the arrival of something auspicious, either an event or a visitor. Gilded accents on the dial enhance contrasts with the smoky background. The watch is paired with a black alligator leather strap, to evoke reptilian scales, with a rubber lining.
Baume & Mercier Riviera Chinese New Year Limited Edition Year Of The Snake In A Nutshell
- Case: 39mm, steel; titanium bezel
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Smoked grey sapphire crystal dial with wave pattern and geometric snake; gold-plated numerals, indexes, hands; serpentine seconds hand; date window at three o’clock
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Movement: Baumatic BM13-1975 A; automatic calibre; 120-hour power reserve (five days)
- Strap: Black rubber with alligator leather overlay
Slithering serpent on the dial
Jacquet Droz Ophidian Hour
A fascinating mechanical marvel and by the house of Jacquet Droz, the Ophidian Hour timepieces feature a sculpted snake that slithers around the dial, indicating the hour with its head while the tail tells the minutes. Both versions of the Ophidian Hour feature rose gold cases sized at 41mm, and two dials made from different materials. The first is a mother-of-pearl dial with a bamboo motif filled with a miniature painting. The second is crafted from Sonora Sunrise, a semi precious stone that features two contrasting yet complementary colours—green with black inclusions and a rich, marbled red. But these are just the backdrops for the actual mechanical artwork. Sculpted from five blocks of white gold, an enamelled snake slithers along the dial. Its head follows the hour of the day while the tail indicates the minutes on two dragging discs. At its highest point, this realistic reptile almost touches the curved sapphire crystal glass which, in its own way, appears to cage the snake.
Jacquet Droz Ophidian Hour In A Nutshell
- Case: Red gold, 41mm
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial 1: Mother-of-pearl; carved bamboo motif with miniature painting; enamelled white gold snake; off-centred hours and minutes on dragging discs
- Dial 2: Sonora Sunrise dial with carved and enamelled white gold snake; ; off-centred hours and minutes on dragging discs
- Functions: Hours, minutes
- Movement: Jaquet Droz 2653; manual winding; 68-hour power reserve
- Strap: Green rubber
The Chinese zodiac and the year of the perpetual calendar
Panerai And The Year Of The Snake
Panerai’s tribute is a more practical approach to time-telling than most others. The Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar Goldtech limited edition watch has little to do with the annual change in guard and yet fits right in with the Chinese new year. Essential information is displayed in Chinese script on the dial. An aperture at three o’clock tells the day and date in Chinese. Small seconds and the day and night indicator are housed in a sub-dial at nine. Here too the text is in Chinese. Other information necessary to be classified as a perpetual calendar but which most of us have a fairly decent idea of has been relegated to the exhibition caseback. The year, leap year indication, month, and power reserve indicator are neatly arranged, along with a micro rotor crafted from gold. Besides the script on the dial, the Chinese new year reference is in the colours of the watch—red gold and burgundy. Its 44mm cushion case made from the brand’s proprietary Goldtech features brushed and polished finishes and Panerai’s iconic crown guard. A fumé effect highlights the contrasts with gold on the sandwich dial, with lume-filled numerals and markers, and matching gold hands. The Panerai P.4100 calibre automatic calibre powers the watch, offering a three-day power reserve.
Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar Goldtech Limited Edition In A Nutshell
- Case: 44mm, Goldtech
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Burgundy fumé sandwich dial; gold timekeeping hands; day and date indicator at three; small seconds and day-and-night indicator at nine
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, day, month, year, leap year indicator, day and night indicator, time zone indicator, power reserve indicator
- Movement: 4100; automatic calibre; three-day power reserve
- Strap: Black alligator leather; Goldtech buckle
History and philosophy of the Chinese zodiac
Parmigiani And The Chinese New Year
The only mechanical watch to feature the complete Chinese calendar, the Parmigiani Tonda PF Xiali Complete Calendar is an eternal ode to the annual change of guard, and to change in general. The 18 karat rose gold case is sized at 42mm, and features a thickness of 12mm, which is actually quite stunning for the amount of information it packs in. It houses the PF008 calibre with a complete Chinese calendar, and moon phase indicator, besides the watch’s primary timekeeping functions. Offering contrast to the rose gold of the case is the imperial red dial with a Grain d’Orge hand-guilloche pattern. On the decorated dial, all the information regarding day, dates, months, seasons, climatic changes associated with the sun, zodiac animals, and the moonphases are displayed in Chinese script. Rose gold indexes and hands complement the case and bracelet of the timepiece and offer clean legibility against the deep red dial.
Parmigiani Tonda PF Xiali Complete Calendar In A Nutshell
- Case: 42mm, rose gold
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: ‘Imperial red’ grain d’Orge pattern; rose gold moon phase indicator against aventurine glass at six o’clock; complete Chinese calendar in Chinese script in sub-dials at nine, 12 and three o’clock, and around the periphery of the watch
- Functions: Hours, minutes, moon phase indicator, complete Chinese calendar
- Movement: PF008 automatic calibre; power reserve of 54 hours
- Strap: Rose gold bracelet
The zodiac and its auspicious hues
Raymond Weil And The Year Of The Snake
While the Raymond Weil tribute to the Chinese zodiac is more subtle than other Year of the Snake watches, it is also that much more timeless. The Raymond Weil Millesime Infinite Burgundy limited edition timepiece is more of a nod to auspicious beginnings. Its rich burgundy hue is one that most Asian countries associate with luck and prosperity. Framed by a round steel case sized at 39mm, the burgundy sector dial features rhodium plated markers and dauphine hands. A rich burgundy leather strap complements the dial and offers bold contrast with the timepiece’s silvery accents. The automatic mechanical calibre RW4200 powers the watch and is visible through the sapphire crystal window on the steel caseback. While this Millesime Infinite Burgundy is limited to only 88 pieces, a 35mm version of this Millesime Automatic Central Seconds burgundy dial watch is available with a rose gold PVD coating.
Raymond Weil Millesime Infinite Burgundy Limited Edition In A Nutshell
- Case: 39mm, steel
- Crystal and caseback: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Burgundy sector dial; rhodium plated hour markers, hands
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Movement: RW4200, automatic; power reserve of 41 hours
- Strap: Burgundy leather strap
At The Watch Guide, we look forward to these creative expressions of the Chinese zodiac. And we’ll keep you updated as more brands present their tributes to the Year of the Snake. We suggest you keep watching this space for updates.
FAQs
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What Is A Moon Phase Watch?
A moon phase watch features a sub-dial showcasing the current phase of the Moon as identical to its position in the sky without the user having to venture outside at night. When no part of the moon appears in the window, it indicates a new moon day. As days pass, the moon will appear from the left side of the window. When the image of the moon is revealed entirely, it indicates a full moon day.
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Why is titanium a good choice for a watch case?
Titanium is an excellent choice for luxury watch cases, as it is lightweight but also durable and highly scratch-resistant. The matt grey aesthetic makes titanium a high-performance, high-end timepiece, offering both quality and a visual appeal.
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What is so special about skeleton watches?
Skeleton watches are special timepieces because of their see-through design, which highlights the intricate movements inside. Often featuring various functions, they attract collectors and enthusiasts, given their meticulous engineering focusing on transparency. Their artistic appeal often makes them a stylish statement piece.
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What's special about a pilot's watch?
Pilot watches, an early 20th-century innovation, are designed as tool watches to navigate safe flights. These iterations usually feature big dials (usually 40mm and above), protruding crown that can be used while wearing heavy inflight gloves; Arabic numeral hour markers in big font; triangular markers; and chronograph functions.
Shop The Story
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Raymond Weil Millesime
2125-P5-45001
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Longines Heritage
L1.651.4.09.2
