The Journal
Ring in the Year of the Snake
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DISCOVER LUNAR NEW YEAR TRADITIONS WITH ATHLETE EILEEN GU AND ACTORS WANG YANG AND ZHANG RUOYUN, AND IWC’S STUNNING YEAR OF THE SNAKE TRIBUTE
As we bid farewell to the fiery Year of the Dragon, it’s time to slither into the Year of the Snake—a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and elegance in the Chinese zodiac. To mark this moment, IWC has crafted a stunning tribute: the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake IW459604 featuring a gold-plated serpent-shaped oscillating mass, a nod to the zodiac’s sixth sign. We caught up with Chinese stars Wang Yang, Zhang Ruoyun, and record-breaking Olympian Eileen Gu to talk Lunar New Year traditions, 2024 highlights, and dreams for the year ahead.
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— Chinese actor Wang Yang (王阳) wearing the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 IW503701 with a silver plated dial in an 18 ct Armor Gold® case
— Two-time Olympic champion and IWC Brand Ambassador Eileen Gu sporting the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake IW459604 with a burgundy dial and black calfskin strap
— Actor Zhang Ruoyun (张若昀) wearing the Portugieser Automatic 42 IW501705 with a stainless steel case and Dune dial
LUNAR NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
What is your favorite memory of celebrating the Lunar New Year from your childhood?
Eileen Gu: Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate family, tradition and new beginnings. Growing up, I always spent Lunar New Year at home with my family, and we would make dumplings together. My grandma would prepare all the ingredients in the days before. On the day, my mother would roll the dough into small flat pancakes, so thin that light could pass through them. My grandmother would skillfully fill them with the pork and chive mixture, sealing them with the length of her fingers.
When I was little, the dumplings I made slowly became more “creative” as I worked. At first, they would be normal dumplings. By the end of the dumpling making, I’d have a series of small sculptures on the table in front of me - cats, dogs, lions and tigers... all made of dough.
Zhang Ruoyun: I loved setting off firecrackers and watching beautiful fireworks. In Beijing, there’s also the Temple Fair, a major cultural event showcasing Chinese folk art. As a child, Lunar New Year felt especially long since it lasted 15 days—enough for a full vacation!
Wang Yang: My hometown is in northeastern China, where winters are freezing. We’d buy candies and sugar-coated hawthorn sticks to celebrate Lunar New Year. Running through the snow and sharing sweets with friends and family are some of my fondest memories. And of course, dumplings were always a must-have.
— Eileen Gu wearing the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake with a black calfskin strap, limited to 500 pieces
The precise moon phase display at 12 o’clock deviates only one day in 122 years
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The gold-plated oscillating mass is crafted in the shape of a snake, a nod to the Lunar New Year
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The Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake boasts a 37mm stainless steel case and a striking burgundy dial, symbolizing Lunar New Year festivities
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January 29, 2025, ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake, last seen in 1965
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— Zhang Ruoyun and the Portugieser Automatic 42 IW501708 featuring a Horizon blue dial
GETTING READY FOR THE FESTIVITIES
How do you prepare for the Lunar New Year celebrations?
ZRY: I decorate my home with red ornaments, including Spring couplets and the “fu” (福) character, which symbolizes good luck and happiness. We also prepare red packets, which are an essential part of the celebration.
WY: Similar to Ruoyun, I use red decorations and prepare red packets filled with lucky money for younger kids. Additionally, I print out family photos from the past year and display them on the wall. It’s like a “documentary” of our family’s year in review.
How do you usually spend Lunar New Year’s Eve?
ZRY: Unfortunately, I usually have work plans on Lunar New Year’s Eve. But if I’m free, I go home to reunite with my family. We make dumplings together, including one with a coin inside. In Chinese tradition, finding the coin means you’ll be blessed for the entire year.
WY: Sometimes my family joins me on set while I work, and we celebrate Lunar New Year together there. We make dumplings and share them with crew members who can’t go home for the holiday.
FAREWELL TO THE DRAGON, WELCOME THE SNAKE!
The Lunar New Year is often a time for reflecting on the past year. What achievements or moments from 2024 are you most proud of?
EG: 2024 was a year of maturation for me. I think I grew a lot over the course of the year, especially in terms of exploring my passions and my sense of self.
One highlight that comes to mind is running the Paris Marathon Pour Tous - the semi-public, Olympic-affiliated marathon that took place on the same day and course as the Paris Olympic Marathon. I was notified that I had won a spot in the race three weeks before the race itself, and so I spent those three weeks preparing for my first marathon - from creating my own training plan (the best 3-week plan I could find online was just one word: “don’t”), to running after ski training, to participating in the most magical race itself.
The energy of the day, combined with all the iconic sights of Paris - from the Place de Invalides to Versailles - made for an unforgettable first race. I was also very proud of my time, 3:24, which surprised me considering the hilly and difficult course. It was a special moment because it was a new challenge that pushed my limits, made me feel confident in my abilities, and also prepared me for the ski season.
Another special part of the year was my semester abroad in Oxford. This was my first time studying in an unfamiliar environment, and I absolutely loved immersing myself in the culture and academics - from the ancient libraries to the formal balls.
What about you, Wang Yang and Zhang Ruoyun?
ZRY: Honestly, I can’t say whether 2024 was particularly satisfying or unsatisfying. For me, it was another normal year, where I continued to deliver amazing series and works to my audience.
WY: From my perspective, it was a great year. 2024 marked the beginning of my journey with the IWC family, which is truly memorable. I even visited Schaffhausen and had an incredible experience exploring the art of watchmaking.
— The gold-plated, serpent-shaped oscillating mass is an homage to the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac
— Actor Wang Yang wearing the Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon Day & Night Ref. IW545901 with Obsidian dial
What are your hopes and wishes for yourself, your family, and your fans in the Year of the Snake?
ZRY: I wish everyone health, happiness, and the ability to enjoy life.
WY: I hope you all have a wonderful year and continue to pursue your dreams.
EG: In the Year of the Snake, I hope to continue to grow - both personally and professionally. I hope to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina and to take better care of myself, both mentally and physically. I hope that in the coming year my friends and supporters will take the time and space to explore and grow - to discover their passions, develop them and use the benefits to make the world a better place.
