The year of the Tiger – this is what the Chinese call the year of 2010. While Americans and Europeans were celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th, the Chinese were celebrating the beginning of the Tiger year, known as the Spring Festival. The Tiger, one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, is feared and revered in equal measure. Ancient Chinese believe that the markings on the forehead of tigers resemble the Chinese character for “Wang”, or King. In Imperial China, where the dragon is the emblem of the emperors, the tiger is the military insignia of the highest supreme commanders of the army symbolizing fearlessness and victory.

This Ernst Benz watch is a complete chinese watch, although it is designed and manufactured in Switzerland. While taking inspirations from Chinese numerology and the number 8, a continuous and perfectly symmetrical number that is a sign of prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture, the watch bears the name of ChronoScope PEK Limited Edition. The contraction “PEK” is for Peking, the historical name for Beijing and the airport code for Beijing Capital International Airport, which was the first official airport of the People’s Republic of China drawing the natural connection to Ernst Benz and aviation.

Dressed in the brand’s signature 47mm case with two different dial executions, the Noir (Black) and Vermilion (China Red) versions are limited to only 88 pieces hand-finished in brushed stainless steel; additionally an even more limited version of only 8 pieces per dial which be available in Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated brushed steel. Both unique dials feature a Traditional Chinese pattern for fire as well as incorporate Traditional Chinese characters for the numerals; with the 8th hour marker written as 08 signifying the importance of this momentous year. Other design elements include a specialized version of the Traditional Ernst Benz hands as well as the EB signature black PVD coated rotor for both the steel and black PVD designs.