With the New Year fast approaching, several watchmaking companies are previewing their limited-edition timepieces designed especially for 2012, the Year of the Dragon according to Chinese calendar. One of them is the Swatch Group-owned Swiss watchmaker Blancpain which unveiled Blancpain Caruso “Chinese Dragon” Limited Edition wristwatch.
Part of the reason why I have chosen to write about this particular timepiece is because its stands apart from other dragon-themed wristwatches that we have seen over the past few months. While others boast golden dragons on the front sides of the watches, the 276-year-old manufacturer Blancpain chose the more original way with an engraved dragon on the 18-karat rose gold case back. This exquisite timekeeper will be available in limited quantity with a unique number engraved on the case back, numbered from 1 to 50. I am sure that 50 future owners would prefer to wear back to front and to flash into people’s faces when someone asks for the time. The front side of the watch is a lot in line with the Caruso series. I can only add that its design is great and that it seems stylish and sophisticated.
The watch is crafted from 18-karat rose gold and it measures 43.5 mm in diameter. Housed in a gorgeous, round case is Caliber 225 automatic Caruso movement with outstanding 262 total parts. The impeccable movement provides amazing 100 hours of power reserve. For the best comfort of the wearer, the Blancpain chose to attach this exceptional timepiece to a brown alligator leather strap.
It is worth mentioning that the original Caruso launched three years ago (in 2008) is the only contemporary watch collected by China’s National Palace Museum. I can only assume that Blancpain is eager to tap into the cultural side of Chinese watch buyers. The “Chinese Dragon” Caruso Limited Edition will be available with the price tag of 1.4 million yuan ($219,682).
The Dragon is the mightiest of the signs in the Chinese Zodiac and symbolizes such character traits as dominance and ambition. It can be said that the dragon has become a symbol of Chinese spirit, as well as of power, status and dignity. Therefore it is not surprising that the well known watchmaker chose to mark the year of the Dragon with the limited edition series, especially if we have in mind that the company produces less than 10,000 watches per year.
Please , i am from Nigeria, west africa. How can i purchose The “Chinese Dragon” Caruso Limited Edition . Do you have an office where i can go to get it in my country ?
Hi Mike,
I am sorry but we do not have those kind of info.
Watchalyzer is online magazine that is not selling watches.
Thanks,
Watchalyzer team
Dear Watchalyzer Team,
The watch you are referring to is the Blancpain “Carrousel Volant Une Minute” which is a 2008 limited edition celebrating the first wristwatch displayed in the Forbidden City’s Palace Museum in Beijing, China. All of 50 piece and all the pieces are sold out.
There is no re-edition of this watch for 2012.
Blancpain PR Team