Watch Wednesday: Panerai’s Luminor 1950 Year of the Rooster

Gearing up for the Lunar New Year on Jan. 28, Panerai has unveiled the latest special-edition Luminor 1950 in its Chinese Zodiac-inspired series, which began in 2009 with the Year of the Ox. Each features the likeness of the animal associated with the Chinese New Year that marked its release. The newest addition, the ninth overall, coincides with the incoming Year of the Rooster. Engraved on the dial-protecting cover is a traditional depiction of the feathered mascot, rendered using the ancient Italian craft of sparsello. Nodding to Panerai’s hallmark Italian-influenced approach, the technique involves etching a deep-set outline of a given image, then hammering gold thread into the grooves. Beneath the cover is a gray dial decorated with Arabic numerals, a small seconds sub-dial at nine o’clock, and a date window at three o’clock. The watch is powered by the in-house P.9000 movement, fitted with a bi-directional oscillating weight, and contains a power reserve of three days. Limited to 99 pieces total, it’s at least a way to channel the spirit of the rooster—defined by its ability to persevere—as the year unfolds.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Sealand 3 Days Automatic Acciaio–44mm, $23,600; panerai.com