To celebrate the Year of the Dragon in 2024, Longines has launched a special edition of its FLAGSHIP HERITAGE moonphase model. Renowned Chinese artist Zinan Lam was invited to create the special design, which features an auspicious dragon with its head raised and soaring upwards, intricately engraved on the case back. This is the first Asian Zodiac timepiece ever to be launched by Longines, in a limited edition of 888 pieces.
One of the most significant figures in Asian culture, the dragon has long been a symbol of nobility, power and courage, representing invincibility and good fortune. Inspired by astrology and the ancient oracle bone script – the oldest known form of Chinese writing – related to the dragon, Longines has partnered with Chinese artist Zinan Lam to create a dragon emblem in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Dragon in 2024.
The dragon design takes centre stage as an intricate unity, where each element – from the head to the body and scales – carries its own unique significance. The ‘wood‘ element attribute of the year 2024, according to the traditional lunar calendar, is harmoniously aligned with the East Asian constellation Azure Dragon, symbolizing the origin of all things and the profound connection between time and nature.
The peach blossom graphic, representing happiness and contentment, has been reimagined as a dragon raising its head, implying well-being and the eternal cycle of life in the Year of the Dragon. Additionally, Longines‘ iconic winged hourglass has been artfully transformed into an auspicious dragon ball, providing a finishing touch that alludes to the perpetual cycles of the sun and the moon.
As an emerging Chinese artist who has garnered significant attention in recent years, Zinan Lam’s artistic creations often revolve around themes like natural philosophy, oriental culture and personal perspectives. His heartfelt, serene and diverse works seamlessly blend Western street graffiti culture with the profound aesthetics of traditional Eastern art, resulting in a distinctive and delicate visual language. With a contemporary artistic approach, he ignites innovative ideas from traditional cultural imagery.
The concept of blending diverse cultures and intertwining innovation with tradition resonates perfectly with Longines. Therefore, the winged hourglass brand has invited Zinan Lam to create an exclusive emblem and introduce the Flagship Heritage Year of The Dragon. This collaboration merges Longines‘ rich heritage, cutting-edge technology, and timeless elegance with Lam’s unique delicacy and sensitivity, to bring to life a representation of an auspicious dragon, portrayed with its head held high and ready to take flight on a timepiece.
An emblematic line for the brand since the late 1950s, Flagship was one of Longines’ very first collections, known for its timeless elegance, simplicity and exceptional precision. In celebration of the Year of the Dragon, Longines has engraved the dragon emblem on the case back of a Flagship Heritage model featuring a moonphase function. It is available in a limited edition of 888 pieces.
With an understated, timeless design, the steel case with a screw-down back measures 38.5 mm in diameter, exquisite and moderate in size and details. The distinctive domed dial, inspired by a historic watch from the 1950s, features a red gradient – symbolising vitality – for the first time. The dial is further enhanced by eleven applied gilt hour makers, elongated at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock. The engraved dragon screw-down case back is highly refined. This deeply etched execution illustrates the auspicious dragon with its head raised and soaring upwards in extraordinary detail and exquisite quality.
The timepiece is powered by the exclusive Longines calibre L899.5, equipped with a silicon balance-spring, offering resistance to magnetic fields and superior precision. It has a power reserve of up to 72 hours. Rotating on a small dial at 6 o’clock, the moonphase function is paired with the hour, minute and second hands in colour – and also stands out sharply against the red dial, which exudes an aura of oriental retro charm.
