Grieb & Benzinger rare watches celebrate 2012 Chinese Year of the Dragon

These rare Year of the Dragon Edition watches by Grieb & Benzinger mix luxury and Chinese mythology

We always report with great interest on German watchmaker Grieb & Benzinger's latest offerings. And it appears that the Chinese Year of the Dragon, 2012, has inspired its latest luxury wristwatches.

The firm's Year of the Dragon Edition watches draw on Chinese mythology and the idea of the dragon as a symbol of imperial power, happiness, peace, protection and destiny.

As with Grieb & Benzinger's other luxury watches, all timepieces in its Year of the Dragon Edition line are skeletonised, guilloché and engraved by hand.

Eight models will be offered - eight being a lucky number in China. The watches' movements are hand-skeletonised, and each timepiece is numbered (1/8 through 8/8). The numbers have also been hand-skeletonised into the gear train bridge.

The "white dragon" rare watch by Grieb & Benzinger

Particularly striking are the mother-of-pearl models, "white" and "grey dragon". According to Grieb & Benzinger, these watches' "mother-of-pearl dials allude to the pearl that the male dragon carries underneath his chin.

"This pearl symbolises great wisdom and the happiness-bringing energy of the dragon as well as absolute purity and order."

The "white dragon" watch is available to you in white gold with 77 diamonds, or in white gold with a guilloché bezel. Alternatively you can buy the "grey dragon" watch in rose gold with 77 diamonds, or in rose gold with a guilloché bezel.

Prices for Grieb & Benzinger's Year of the Dragon Edition watches range from €32,500 up to €65,000.

Also for sale is Grieb & Benzinger's "grey dragon" version

We've previously handled Grieb & Benzinger's rare watches here at Paul Fraser Collectibles, including a rare Russian Imperator watch which we sold earlier this year.

Other luxury watches currently for sale in our stock include this piece by the Swiss luxury watchmakers, Longines. You can find out more about this rare stainless steel quartz Olympic series wristwatch here.

Meanwhile, watch this space for more news from the luxury watch markets.

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Images: Grieb & Benzinger