Roaring into the New Year with Feline-Themed Timepieces
Charming, passionate, courageous, and strong – characteristics that the tiger embodies. Handcrafted to perfection, discover these luxury timepieces that pay tribute to the king of the jungle to usher in the lunar new year in a majestic fashion.
Altiplano by Piaget
Piaget joins the Chinese New Year festivities this year with an Altiplano timepiece featuring a fearless tiger in cloisonné grand feu enamel. Meticulously crafted by master-enameller Anita Porchet, this timepiece depicts the tiger in all its splendour, roaring across the dial in all its majesty.
Anita Porchet, is a master-enameller who has been collaborating with Piaget since 2006, is renowned for her mastery of all the enamelling techniques.
Limited to only 38 pieces worldwide, the timepiece is housed in a 38 mm 18K white gold case set with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds and is powered by the Maison’s ultra-thin, manual-winding 430P movement, attesting to Piaget’s expertise in ultra-thin watchmaking, gem-setting, and artistic craftsmanship excellence.
The Classico “Tiger” by Ulysse Nardin
The Classico “Tiger” in rose gold – produced in a limited-edition series of 88 pieces to mark the 2022 event – is vibrant yet elegant. Using two centuries-old methods of enamelling (champlevé and paillonné enameling), the artist’s sketch is brought to life.
The champlevé technique involves carving directly onto the dial, creating individual “cells” that are then filled with enamel. A rare art form and decorative technique forgotten mastered only by a handful of craftsmen; champlevé enamel is only used on exceptional watches.
What sets this Classico Tiger watch apart is the art of “paillonné enameling”, an age-old decorative technique that involves motifs cut from a thin gold or silver leaf, the paillons (or strips), and are placed by hand one by one at the right place. The tridimensional effect on the watch is breath-taking.
Powered by the UN-815 movement the 40 mm Classico “Tiger” has a self-winding movement with 42 hours power reserve, a black alligator strap with a rose-gold buckle and an open sapphire case-back. Water-resistant to 50m, the rose-gold polished case sets off the gold Tiger motif to perfection.
Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac – Year of the tiger by Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin is pursuing its dialogue with collectors and passionate devotees of Haute Horlogerie by enriching its Métiers d’Art The legend of the Chinese zodiac with the sign of the tiger. Symbolizing invincible power, authority and strength, considered as the king of fur animals in Chinese culture, the tiger represents an auspicious animal that exorcises evil spirit and brings good luck.
Limited to only 12 pieces and a boutique exclusive, the timepiece combines the technical excellence of Caliber 2460 G4 with the beauty of artistic crafts.
The timepiece incorporates the Scherenschnitt paper-cutting – a popular art echoed in Swiss culture influenced by the Chinese paper-cutting technique known as Jianzhi, gives a fresh interpretation on this masterpiece thanks to the expertise of the master engravers and enamellers.
The dial features vegetal motifs based on classic Chinese iconography and are etched directly in the metal. The pattern remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect. This makes the vegetation appear to be floating over the dial. Then comes the stage of Grand Feu enamelling, an ancestral technique that remains the preserve of a very few particularly skilled artisans. The animal, made of platinum or pink gold, is hand engraved and delicately applied to the dial centre.
Petite Heure Minute “Tiger” by Jaquet Droz
An honourable mention, the Jaquet Droz’s Ateliers d’Art captures the Tiger’s spirit like never before. Created by the Maison in 2020, the brand has united the essence of its watchmaking and artistic expertise. The simple and eloquent name of the new Petite Heure Minute speaks for itself: “Tiger”.
This is often enough by itself to evoke the power and grace of the most respected feline in the world. Jaquet Droz has succeeded in captivating the spirit, each capturing your attention with their gaze depicted by the full intensity of the Tiger’s glaze in the miniature painting.
The ultimate precision of Jaquet Droz’s Ateliers d’Art enables the fine detail of the gaze in its entirety to appear almost lifelike. The Tiger’s fur is painted with the aid of a microscope. Each hair is individually painted to reproduce the feline’s thick and silky fur. The great care taken in creating the iris and pupil give the illusion that the Tiger’s gaze follows whoever looks upon it, wherever they are.
Through this magic, the fruit of an entirely handcrafted meticulous work of art, Jaquet Droz continues to explore the naturalist theme which has decorated its clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches for almost three centuries.
Swiss Watch is a proud retailer for Piaget, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin and Jaquet Droz.
