OLD SUMMER PALACE TWELVE ZODIAC HEADS · ROOSTER

圆明园十二兽首 · 鸡首

Brand: Sea-Gull (海鷗). Reference: H618.862. [Version: Rooster head on winter-themed dial; 18K rose gold case. View other versions →]. Limited 55 pieces. Official retail price: CN ￥126,000

The twelve zodiac bronze heads from the Old Summer Palace are originally fountainheads in the form of Chinese zodiac animals, they are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Loong, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. The heads were robbed by British and French troops in 1860. Over the years, the Chinese government and people have been searching the world to find ways for these bronze heads to go back home. Although half of them are still missing or not returned, they have received great attention in the movement of repatriating Chinese art and cultural artifacts.

Sea-Gull reproduced the zodiac heads on watch dials with the cloisonné enamel techniques and combined with tourbillon module, gold filament are used to form the capitalized Chinese numerals. The twelve enamel dials are grouped by 3 in each group to showcase each of the four seasons, for example, the dials for Rat, Ox and Tiger represents Spring, and dials for Rabbit, Loong and snake represents Summer and so on. The watch case is made of 18K rose gold material, including the crown and clasp, paired with alligator leather bracelet.

Chinese character:
壹 - 1
贰 - 2
叁 - 3
肆 - 4
伍 - 5
陆 - 6
柒 - 7
捌 - 8
玖 - 9
拾 - 10
拾壹 - 11
拾贰 - 12

MOVEMENT
Mechanical, manual-winding. Tourbillon. China Made. Caliber: Sea-Gull ST8260. Functions: Hour, minute. Jewels: 21. Frequency: 21600 vph. Power reserve: Around 55 hours.

CASE
18K rose gold. Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness: 11.9 mm. Lug width: 22 mm. Water resistance: 3 ATM. Luminescence: No lume. Dial: Filigree (cloisonné) enamel. Capitalized Chinese numerals made of gold filament. Crystal: Sapphire crystal. Has anti-reflective coating. Case back: Fixed with screws. Transparent. 18K rose gold & sapphire crystal case back. Hands: Breguet hands. Thermal-bluing steel hands. Crown: Push-pull. Pumpkin shape. 18K rose gold crown. Signed with the "S" logo.

STRAP
Brown. Alligator leather. No quick release: Need tool to remove strap from case. Fit for case lug width: 22 mm. Clasp: Pin buckle. 18K rose gold clasp.