A Den of Year of the Snake Watch Models to Celebrate Chinese New Year

As the Year of the Dragon comes to a close, the Chinese Zodiac will welcome the Year of the Snake, which is slated to start on January 29, 2025. In Chinese culture, the snake is a symbol of knowledge and renewal. While Chinese Zodiac watches may not be as popular in the U.S. or even Europe, Swiss watch brands recognize their importance in Asian markets. As such, plenty of top-notch watch brands release commemorative Chinese New Year timepieces to celebrate the occasion. Keep reading for a round-up of Year of the Snake watch models from the likes of Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more.

Breguet Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025 Watch

Limited to just eight pieces, the Breguet Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025 watch highlights the brand’s mastery of decorative techniques with a head-turning snake-themed dial. Cased in 18k rose gold, the 40mm watch features a fluted caseband — one of Breguet’s signature design elements. “Coin-edge case” and “ribbed case” are other terms you might hear for it.

The beautifully hand-decorated 18k gold dial boasts both guilloché patterns and intricate painting, depicting a snake slithering gracefully through green foliage. The vibrant shades of green and meticulous detailing create a dial that is both artistic and symbolic.

Inside, the Classique 7145 houses the ultra-thin Caliber 502.3 automatic movement. This 2.4mm thin caliber, made of 162 components, includes a silicon balance spring and anchor for precision and longevity, along with a 45-hour power reserve. The movement’s 22k gold oscillating weight is hand-engraved with a barleycorn guilloché pattern, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. The list price is 69,000 CHF.

Blancpain Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel 2025 Watch

Blancpain marks the Year of the Snake with the latest iteration of its Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel, combining the Gregorian calendar, moon phases, and a traditional Chinese calendar in a single timepiece. Limited to just 50 pieces, the watch sports a large 45.2mm platinum case, framing a green Grand Feu enamel dial. The dial includes two apertures at 9 and 12 o’clock, displaying the Chinese leap month and the zodiac sign, respectively. The dial is also embellished with a serpentine hand for the Gregorian date, along with indications for Chinese days, months, and elements.

At its heart is the Caliber 3638, boasting 464 components and a seven-day power reserve via three barrels. On the back, the 22k white gold rotor features an engraved snake motif with ruby accents and Chinese characters. The Blancpain snake watch is paired with a chocolate brown alligator leather strap and priced at CHF 81,000.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Watches

Vacheron Constantin celebrates the Year of the Snake with the latest installment of its Métiers d’Art: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac collection. Limited to just 25 pieces per colorway, the 40mm watches are available in either pink gold or platinum. Each model features an intricately hand-engraved snake motif, positioned against a stunning Grand Feu enamel dial in blue for the platinum version and brown for the pink gold version.

The watches are powered by the in-house Caliber 2460 G4, which displays the hours, minutes, day, and date through four apertures arranged around the dial. These timepieces notably omit traditional hands, allowing the center-stage artistry of the engraved snake and enamel backdrop to shine. The meticulously crafted dials are created using the ancient art of champlevé engraving and enameling. The price starts at $112,000 for the pink gold version.

IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase Year of the Snake Watch

The IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake is a subtle tribute to the Lunar New Year, with references to the serpent on the back of the watch. Crafted in a stainless steel case measuring 37mm in diameter and 11.3mm thick, the watch features a striking burgundy dial accented by gold-plated hands and appliqués. Its moon phase display at 12 o’clock showcases a golden moon and stars against the rich red background, a nod to the traditional colors of Chinese New Year celebrations.

The watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured caliber 32800 automatic movement, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers an impressive five-day power reserve. On the caseback, the gold-plated oscillating mass is artfully shaped like a snake. Limited to 500 pieces, the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake comes with two interchangeable calfskin straps in black and burgundy. Its retail price is $9,700.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Snake Watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s contribution to the Year of the Snake celebrations is the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Snake,” a made-to-order piece that underscores the brand’s dedication to elite craftsmanship. Presented in a pink gold rectangular case measuring 45.5mm x 27.4mm x 9.73mm, this Reverso integrates the iconic swiveling case design with intricate Grand Feu enameling and hand engraving.

The reverse side (a.k.a. “recto”) showcases a black enamel background featuring a beautiful hand-engraved snake emerging from golden clouds. The engraver devoted over 80 hours to perfect the details. On the opposite side (a.k.a. “verso”) is a classic black enamel dial with Dauphine hands and applied indexes, all powered by the manually wound Calibre 822 with a 42-hour power reserve.

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake Watch

Hublot celebrates the Lunar New Year with the Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake Limited Edition watch, a creative 42mm timepiece featuring a microblasted and polished black ceramic case, paired with an intricately engraved bezel designed to mimic snakeskin texture.

The skeletonized dial showcases a gold snake appliqué coiled gracefully around the three subdials, with the snake’s head positioned at 12 o’clock. Through the dial and sapphire caseback is a view of the Zenith El Primero-based Hublot caliber HUB4700, a self-winding chronograph movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Limited to just 88 pieces, the Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake retails for $35,100.

Harry Winston Year of the Snake Watches

Harry Winston is celebrating the Year of the Snake with two new limited-edition watches, one in 18k rose gold and one in 18k white gold. Continuing a tradition that started in 2016, these watches combine diamond-set precious metal cases with intricately decorated dials and automatic movements.

The 36mm case is set with 118 brilliant-cut diamonds, framing a lacquered dial featuring a snake motif accented with other precious stones including emeralds, spessartite garnets, and green sapphires. The crown, positioned at 12 o’clock, is set with a pearl. Inside the case is an automatic movement, supplying around 70 hours of power reserve. The watches are limited to 88 pieces in each variation and though the official price hasn’t been made public yet, last year’s Dragon version was priced at $65,700.

Longines Conquest Year of the Snake Watch

The Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake is a limited-edition watch that celebrates the upcoming Year of the Wood Snake in 2025. Limited to 2,025 pieces, this special Conquest Heritage model features a gradient red sunray dial with gilt hands and indices, housed in a 40mm stainless steel case. The case back is engraved with an intricate design by Chinese artist Wu Jian’an, inspired by the legend of the White Snake. The engraved motif depicts a snake holding a Lingzhi mushroom, symbolizing wisdom, harmony, and prosperity.

Powering the watch is the Longines L888.5 self-winding movement, which includes a silicon balance spring for enhanced precision and resistance to magnetic fields. The movement offers 72-hour power reserve. The Longines Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake watch is priced at an approachable $3,150.

Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Year of the Snake Watch

Arnold & Son is honoring the Year of the Snake with an addition to its Perpetual Moon collection. The Perpetual Moon 41.5 “Year of the Snake” features an 18k red gold case measuring 41.5mm in diameter and 11.67mm thick, framing a stunning blue aventurine dial decorated with intricate serpent-themed artistry.

The highlight of the dial is a delicately hand-engraved snake crafted from 18k rose gold, coiled around a ginkgo biloba branch. Surrounding this central motif is a celestial landscape featuring a large mother-of-pearl moon with Super-LumiNova® accents and hand-painted constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia.

The watch is powered by the A&S1512 manual-winding caliber with an impressive 90-hour power reserve and exceptional accuracy in tracking the moon’s age. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is a secondary moon phase display for precise adjustments. Limited to eight pieces, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Year of the Snake watch is priced at CHF 57,200.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Calendar Gold

While not specifically a Year of the Snake watch, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Xiali Calendar Gold ties into the celebration of the Chinese Zodiac through its advanced Xiali Calendar complication. First introduced in 2023 as a stainless steel model, this 2025 release in 18k rose gold represents a new iteration of Parmigiani Fleurier’s homage to Chinese culture — and the world’s only mechanical watch to fully display the Chinese calendar.

The term “Xiali” references the traditional Chinese calendar, and the watch goes beyond typical complications by integrating the Chinese Zodiac animal, 24 solar terms, lunar phases, 10 heavenly stems, and 12 earthly branches into its display. Set against a beautifully textured deep red guilloché dial, the rose gold case measures 42mm in diameter and comes with an integrated rose gold bracelet. Inside the case is the in-house PF008 automatic movement and the price tag is set at $104,300.

The Most Famous Snake Watch Of Them All

We don’t need the Year of the Snake to wear a snake-themed watch — just ask Bulgari. The Bulgari Serpenti is by far the world’s most famous snake watch, available in a slew of iterations but always retaining its serpentine head. Introduced in the 1940s, the Serpenti collection has continuously evolved, offering variations that range from sleek and modern to opulent and gem-encrusted.

Wrapping around the wrist with their signature coiled bracelets, the Serpenti Viper and Serpenti Tubogas both fully capture the allure and mystique of the serpent. With options in gold, steel, or fully paved diamond versions, this iconic snake watch has become a favorite among women looking for a statement-making timepiece — which can be worn regardless of what cycle of the Chinese Zodiac we’re currently in.

More about Chinese New Year Watches:
12 Year of the Dragon Watches to Ring in Lunar New Year