A hardworking animal, the ox is highly valued in Chinese culture. People born under this zodiac sign are said to be diligent, dependable and honest, which is something Jaquet Droz says it takes seriously.

The watchmaker's founders first fostered relations with China's imperial court as early as 1774 and, over the next 10 years, Jaquet Droz exported over 60 pieces to China, much to the delight of the Qianlong Emperor who was said to appreciate mechanical automaton watches. In fact, numerous Jaquet Droz pocket watches continue to be housed in the Imperial Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing.

Fast forward 250 years, and 2021's zodiac sign has been depicted on four newly handcrafted watches. Three come in red gold and one comes in white gold, and all are being released in a limited-edition series of eight.

A special edition of Piaget’s ultra-thin Altiplano timepiece has been unveiled for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations. A Grand Feu cloisonné dial depicts a muscular ox that’s been designed by the celebrated artist and enameller Anita Porchet.

The 4,000-year-old decorative art that's been used to design this breathtaking timepiece involves using wafer-thin gold ribbons to create miniature partitions, or cloisons. Each dial is fired in a kiln multiple times and finally varnished for a long lasting and glossy finish.

Piaget has also combined red and gold, two colours which symbolise good fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture, for an extra special Limelight Stella timepiece, which comes in rose gold and features a moon phase complication.

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Louis Vuitton celebrates the Year of the Ox with a playful new face, which adorns the luxury house's Tambour Horizon Monogram Eclipse smartwatch. This fun wristwatch comes with a 42 mm case that is decorated with the brand's signature iconography.

For a unique twist on Chinese New Year-themed watchmaking, a cartoonish-looking ox is shown carrying a monogrammed bag from the brand’s Malletier range. Battery-powered, the Tambour Horizon Monogram Eclipse is available in polished steel, matte black or brown PVD and white ceramic.

The ox is the second of 12 animals represented in the Chinese zodiac and is brought to life by Blancpain’s limited edition series of 50 watches dedicated to Chinese New Year 2021.

This sleek platinum watch showcases an exclusive complication, which beautifully sits on an elegant Grand Feu enamel dial. For the complication, the Chinese calendar indications are combined with the Gregorian calendar and moon phases.

Roman gold numerals and hollowed-out leaf-shaped hands add to this watch’s already stunning appeal, while an open case back showcases a white gold oscillating weight that’s engraved with the effigy of an ox.

Known in horological circles for its Métiers d'Art timepieces, which are crafted by guilloché experts, enamellers, engravers and jewellery setters, Vacheron Constantin's mechanical movements have long been combined with extraordinary dials. And, thankfully, this watchmaker's Year of the Ox timepiece doesn’t disappoint.

Vacheron's relationship with China's most knowledgable collectors dates back to 1845, and the brand has decided to utilise the country’s paper-cutting technique jianzhi for its latest zodiac-inspired watches.

Limited to just 12 pieces each, two watches have been unveiled for 2021. One comes in platinum and the other comes in pink gold, which are presented with dark blue and brown alligator leather straps, respectively.

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Limited to just eight pieces, Breguet's special Reine de Naples Ref 8955 can be yours for HK$567,300. An oval-shaped case made from rose gold comes with a fluted case band to ensure that this timepiece is suitably feminine.

If that weren't enough, the bezel is set with 40 diamonds that weigh a total of 2.42 carats for added glitz and glamour, while the intricate dial is carved from natural shell. Wears yours with an alligator leather strap, which is secured in place by a triple-blade buckle that's mounted with a further 28 dazzling diamonds.

If you prefer a sturdier design, the Classique Ref 7145 has an engraving of two fierce-looking oxen. Turn the timepiece over, and an open case back reveals the self-winding manufacture Calibre 502/3, which has a power reserve of 45 hours.