There have been watches made by Swiss and other European brands especially for the Chinese market going back much further than the country's modern economic resurgence, but nowadays there are more than ever — and many are cool creations that anyone can enjoy.
You don't have to be Chinese to be aware of the Chinese New Year — watch brands are certainly aware of it and the nation's power both as a producer and consumer of watches. It's no wonder that each year there are a number of watch companies that take the opportunity to do something special for one of their most important markets.
According to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, 2021 begins the Year of the Ox or Bull — and some watchmakers choose to reference this year's zodiac sign specifically while others more generally celebrate the occasion or Chinese cultural themes. Depending on the contents of your "red envelopes" (红包) you just might be in the spirit to spring for one.
Swatch Ox Rocks 2021 Watch
Courtesy
Many of the watches made for the Chinese New Year are decidedly upscale, but Swatch characteristically offers a fun and affordable option. In the brand's appropriately named Big Bold collection with 47mm-wide cases, the Ox Rocks 2021 watch features an ox motif that forms a yin yang shape in red and gold.
G-Shock's most iconic models, the squarish 5600 and roundish 6900 series, are here rendered with gold-coated steel bezels and matched to bright red dials and straps. They'd be perfectly appropriate for any zodiac year, but the case backs are engraved with an ox motif by Chinese artist Shan Jiang especially for 2021.
Independent Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin's best-known creations are his series using separate hour and minute dials to form the eyes of a face — in this case, the face of a bull. Always wildly creative and never satisfied with mere aesthetic updates, the bull's nostrils display the day of the week via two separate discs that each shows a single letter to form FR for Friday, SA for Saturday, etc. (see it work here). The bull's eyes look bloodshot with a red Chinese-style lattice motif, and the specially made case has lugs that form horns. Only eight will be made.
Various cycles can be represented by the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, and for 2021 Chopard uses the concept in an unusual complication: The 12 animals symbolize the hours, and they rotate in tandem with traditional hour hand on the dial. Chopard's L.U.C line is its platform for high-end watchmaking, so alongside a dial is executed in Japanese urushi lacquer you can expect to find a refined in-house movement visible through the case back.
Blancpain could have simply used an ox motif or Chinese numerals on its existing calendar watch and called it a day, but they didn't: they created a complex mechanism that tracks lunisolar data alongside Gregorian calendar data — which is quite relevant for many Chinese citizens. An aperture at around 12 o'clock even displays a silhouette of the current zodiac animal that'll change each year.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d'Art Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Ox Watch
Courtesy
A number of high-end watchmakers have released watches with artistic interpretations of Chinese zodiac animals, which often feature precious metals, lacquer painting and engravings. The ox at the center of this Vacheron Constantin example is hand engraved and set against a grand feu enamel background. The hours, minutes, date and day of the week are all displayed in peripheral windows so the art remains the focus.
Goldwin's Mac Coat is made from Gore-Tex Paclite – which is lightweight, waterproof, breathable, packable and doesn't compromise on a soft handfeel. Get 15 percent off one of your own by signing up for the brand's newsletter.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Anthony Bourdain always said you really only needed one good knife in the kitchen. This one could be it. It is made with a fiberglass handle and a three-layer blade construction that will stand the test of time.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket.
Best Made is back and we're grateful because it means we have access to its thoughtfully made goods that are always high quality. This pocket knife is forged by a fifth-generation Japanese blade maker and will develop a patina over time that is unique to you.
When it comes to keeping temperature, ThermoWorks is elite. The brand is a leader in humidity trackers, pH monitors and meat probes, but its marquee product is the humble Thermapen. If you don't believe us, ask chefs and grillmasters everywhere.
Huckberry teamed up with the squad at GORUCK to make a pared-back version of GORUCK's flagship GR1 backpack that still packs a solid punch. Made with 500D Cordura, it is tough but not overdoing it with super thick fabric. One of its coolest features is the laptop compartment, which sits higher against your back so that it is protected if the bag gets dropped.
Solo Stove took the 360 Airflow Design that made its fire pit so exceptional and turned it into a charcoal grill that is perfect for backyard hangs. This bundle comes with the grill, a grill stand, a cover, a carry case, plus briquettes and starters to get you going.
This is your new go-to for spring. Whether you're headed to the gym, lounging around the house or pairing it with a button-down shirt, this heather crewneck will get the job done. Todd Snyder sure knows how to outfit the American man.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
Casio's legendary G-Shock line is not only a utilitarian achievement but is also just super stylish. You can find G-Shocks everywhere, from space to the street. This one is a bit pared back compared to others, which makes it an excellent addition to any fit any time.
With a not-too-short-but-not-too-long 8-inch inseam, these versatile shorts are excellent for going out for a run but won't show too much skin when you head to the gym. Plus, they have four pockets. Who doesn't love pockets?
This desk lamp is packed with features that will make you wonder how you lived without it. Aside from its lighting, it utilizes RavPower's groundbreaking HyperAir technology for ultra-fast wireless charging and has a USB port for any other devices you might have.
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 31 percent off, you do it.
Making more coffee from home now? So are we. Ditch the Mr. Coffee and unlock all the flavor your freshly roasted beans have to offer with a french press. It is super simple to use and really does make exceptional coffee.
Stasher bags are one of our favorite alternatives to single-use plastic wrap and bags. They keep your food fresh, contain no BPA and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Plus, you can also use them for marinades or sous vide thanks to their Pinch-Loc seal.
This is our pick for the best big and tall office chair, but that doesn't mean it won't work for those of us that are more vertically challenged. The ergonomics on this chair are excellent, ensuring that you stay comfortable for the long haul.
A midweight insulated jacket is a must-have in every outdoor enthusiast's wardrobe. This one from The North Face is packed with features, including a DWR finish to fend off light rain, post-consumer recycled insulation and is packable for easy stowing (or for use as a travel pillow).
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
This smart vacuum senses when it is full, locks itself back into its port and empties without any work on your end. It also keeps a record of its ventures into your home, making for more efficient journeys in the future. This combo includes an Echo Dot for only $10, which is a valuable add-on that has many more benefits than just the vacuum connectivity.
If you have trouble waking up, especially in the winter, getting an artificial light to simulate sunrise is a great option. This alarm clock features nature sounds to wake you up, tap snooze and an auto-dimming display.
This is one of The North Face's most iconic silhouettes. Supremely warm, this jacket comes in four retro colorways and has a relaxed cut that is both street-ready and mountain-ready.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io