Following the 12-year Chinese zodiac, leading watchmakers are as much into astrology as haute horlogerie in having created a series of timepieces featuring each animal sign.
The 11th creature, the dog symbolising loyalty and devotion now takes centre stage in new models released to ring in the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 16.
Watchmaking savoir-faire and time-honoured techniques are showcased in the Year of the Dog limited editions that like the faithful canine itself may well be a protector to ward off bad luck in 2018.
This is reflected in the breed chosen and design of the motif on the poochy timepieces.
Master Minori Koizumi finalising the dial of Chopard LUC XP Urushi Year of the Dog featuring an Akita breed.
Symbolising health and well-being, an Akita dog adorns the dial of Chopard ultra-thin LUC XP Urushi. The Japanese breed is depicted in a natural setting dotted with wild orchids along with a fluttering dragonfly, regarded as a lucky charm.
The motif is created with the ancestral Japanese lacquer technique, Urushi, named after a tree whose resin is patiently harvested once a year in very small quantities.
Three to five years afterwards, the resin is treated in such a way to give a highly-resistant lacquer applied in a number of extremely fine layers. The Urushi master then embeds within it tiny iridescent particles that lend a distinctive depth, luminosity and fine nuances.
Only a few artists can skilfully perform this lacquer technique, for which Chopard called upon Urushi masters Kiichiro Masumaro and Minori Koizumi to oversee and create the imagery on the dial of the rose gold limited edition of 88 pieces.
The lucky number symbolises fortune and good luck in Chinese culture, and Panerai is as superstitious in offering 88 pieces of Luminor 1950 Sealand 3 Days Automatic Acciaio.
Rather than on the dial, a pup surrounded by plum flowers appears on the cover of this eye-catching watch.
Inspired by traditional Chinese iconography, Italian master-engravers use the ancient sparsello technique, named after a special tool, to create the auspicious motif with inlaid gold threads.
The process of inlaying the multiple parallel layers of gold threads is carried out after the lid has already been engraved and polished, requiring skilful craftsmanship, otherwise the slightest error could damage all the work done previously.
Master Minori Koizumi finalising the dial of Chopard LUC XP Urushi Year of the Dog featuring an Akita breed.
With a small signalling mirror on the back, the meticulously-engraved cover is fitted to the stainless steel case of the 44mm watch matched with a brown leather or black rubber strap.
Vacheron Constantin also drew inspiration from classic Chinese iconography as well as a paper-cutting technique called Jianzhi in creating a foliage motif on the dial of its doggy model under the Métiers d'Art: The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series.
The pattern etched directly in the metal remains semi-embedded and stands out from its gold base by a subtle stage-setting of variously accentuating reliefs creating a depth effect as if the vegetation were floating over the dial.
The beauty of the motif is enhanced by Grand Feu enamelling, involving applying the enamel in successive layers and firing at temperatures between 800-900C to achieve the intensity of the blue or bronze-toned dial.
An engraved canine occupies the centre of the hands-free watch that shows the hours, minutes, days and dates through four apertures.
These indications -- the first two of the dragging variety and the other two of the jumping type -- demonstrate Vacheron Constantin' prowess in developing original displays as well as mechanical movements.
The special edition is available in only 12 pieces each of the platinum and pink gold variations delivered with a magnifying glass for a closer view of the tail-wagger seemingly trodding on the intricate engraving.
Inlaying of gold threads to create the dog and floral motif on the cover of Panerai Luminor 1950 Sealand 3 Days Automatic Acciaio.
Platinum and pink gold variations of Vacheron Constantin Year of the Dog model.
