A Chinese paper cut artist puts her work in Hublot’s new dragon watch
The limited edition Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon takes Swiss precision and Eastern inspiration to create a truly incredible watch.
Courtesy of Hublot
In a coming together of Swiss craftsmanship and Eastern artistry, Hublot has created the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon. This limited edition marvel, born from a collaboration between Hublot and the Chinese artist Chen Fen Wan, transcends the boundaries of timekeeping, emerging as a visual celebration of the celestial “Long”, or eastern dragon, and a nod to 2024, the Year of the Dragon.
Artist Chen Fen Wan. Courtesy of Hublot
A graduate of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Chen Fen Wan brings universal narratives to life through her paper art. Known for works like “Hello, Walls” and “Papercut on the Earth’s Window,” Chen seamlessly blends personal experiences with cultural reflections.
Limited to just 88 pieces, the Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon is not just a watch, it’s an artistic expedition into the intricate world of the “Long”. Chen Fen Wan’s mastery of paper cutting and her appreciation for angles and classic design elements breathe life into the dragon’s silhouette, where hands, wheels, and H-shaped screws seamlessly intertwine, creating an incredible visual spectacle. Each and every component, hands, cogs, or screws, are positioned in multidimensional layers to form a dragon’s silhouette created in cut-outs by Chen. The head leads to a body and scales join the strap.
Courtesy of Hublot
As a celebration of the Year of the Dragon, this watch symbolizes luck, strength, and wisdom. The dragon’s head inspired the design of the case, and as it extends onto the strap, becoming scales, a pattern inspired by marquetry, a first for Hublot, adds a touch of modernity to the classically inspired piece.
Set in a 42mm titanium case, the layered dial construction mirrors the ancient art of paper cutting and showcases the design of the mythical beast. The dragon’s scales, meticulously colored and nano-vulcanized, seamlessly integrate into the rubber strap through meticulous handwork, while a second titanium-grey Velcro fabric strap ensures versatility.
Courtesy of Hublot
Powered by the HUB1710 automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, this limited edition timepiece becomes a celebration of the Chinese New Year and the rich tapestry of the country’s ancient lore. Chen Fen Wan’s collaboration with Hublot transcends the crafting of a watch; it brings the dragon to life, symbolizing renewal, auspiciousness, and the eternal totem of life. Hublot’s Titanium Dragon is more than a time-teller; it’s a harmonious fusion of East and West, tradition and modernity, seamlessly woven into the fabric of horological excellence.
