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As the Chinese New Year starts on January 29, 2025, the world readies itself to welcome the Year of the Wood Snake. Swiss watchmaker Perrelet, renowned for its heritage and innovation, marks this auspicious occasion with a captivating timepiece, the Turbine Snake. Limited to just 88 pieces, this luxurious creation weaves artistry, technical mastery, and cultural symbolism into an extraordinary horological masterpiece.
At the heart of the Turbine Snake lies its mesmerizing dial, imbued with cultural and artistic significance. The red lacquered sub-dial, a symbol of luck and protection, is adorned with golden ideograms representing prosperity and well-being. A 3D snake, crafted from gilded metal and rendered in exquisite bas-relief takes centre stage. Its lifelike presence, complete with cunning eyes, a forked tongue, and detailed scales, strongly symbolises power, renewal, and mystery, qualities associated with the Wood Snake.
This stunning imagery comes to life through the Turbine mechanism, Perrelet’s signature. Twelve black anodized aluminum blades, activated by the wearer’s slightest movement, rotate to reveal the full glory of the serpent beneath. As the turbine spins, the dynamic interplay of motion and design transforms the dial into a living, breathing work of art.
The Turbine mechanism, patented in 2009, is a testament to the ingenuity of the brand. Though decorative in purpose, its construction demands exceptional skill. The 12 blades, balanced by five tungsten counterweights, glide effortlessly on their axis, a feat achieved only through the expertise of Perrelet’s master watchmakers. This mechanism draws on the legacy of innovation, which began with its groundbreaking Double Rotor Technology introduced in 1995.
Encased in black DLC-coated grade 2 titanium, the Turbine Snake measures 41 mm in diameter and 13.82 mm in thickness. This material, prized for its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties, ensures both durability and comfort. The ergonomic design, featuring a fluted case band, a flat bezel, and seamlessly integrated lugs, makes this timepiece a pleasure to wear.
The red accents of the hour track and central seconds hand harmonize with the sub-dial, while the rose gold-tone hands, coated with Super-LumiNova®, offer optimal legibility even in low light. Completing the design is a custom black rubber strap embossed with the Perrelet logo and secured by a folding buckle in matching DLC titanium.
Beneath the artistry lies the P-331-MH calibre, an in-house self-winding movement manufactured by Soprod, a company within the Festina Group. This COSC-certified chronometer boasts a 42-hour power reserve and operates at a precise frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). Additionally, it holds the Chronofiable® certification, ensuring long-term reliability.
Visible through the sapphire crystal case back, the movement is as visually striking as it is mechanically sound; the oscillating weight, openworked and adorned with the Perrelet logo, is rhodium-plated and brushed to perfection. The snake motif, echoed on the case back, adds a final touch of thematic coherence.
With the Turbine Snake, Perrelet not only celebrates the Chinese New Year but also reinforces its status as a pioneer of mechanical artistry. For collectors and connoisseurs, this timepiece offers a rare opportunity to own a symbol of prosperity, creativity, and impeccable craftsmanship, a fitting tribute to the Year of the Snake.
