26 most interesting Year of the Snake angpows

Every year, as we look forward to a smashing Chinese New Year celebration, one highlight is the receipt of crisp angpow from various luxury houses. Featuring the serpent or not, these new red packets — some accompanied by surprises — are a joy to behold.

1. IWC

Honouring this year’s Chinese zodiac sign, IWC’s angpows makes a simple but impactful statement with a slithering reptile in the style of the motif on its new watch, the Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake.

2. Shanghai Tang

Shanghai Tang combines its love of eye-catching colours with the symbolic snake and one of Chinese culture’s most important motifs, the Chinese knot.

3. The Hour Glass

How about a tropical, uniquely Singaporean interpretation of nature? We love that The Hour Glass’ design is a nod to its IAMWATCH independent horology fair theme last October: resort casual.

4. Chopard

The one thing about Chopard that some may not know, is that the brand loves celebrating joyous occasions with glee and panache. In this case, the red packets come with two sets of poker cards.

5. Tiffany & Co.

Inside its robin egg blue box are envelopes showcasing snakes forming a double heart shape. How clever to combine the sacred serpent with one of the brand’s key DNA, love? Perfect for weddings, too.

6. Phillips

The auction house sure knows how to create a timeless design for keeps. This double-layered angpow features a latticed sleeve enclosing a textured envelope. Classy.

7. Piaget

The serpent is interpreted with a textured snakeskin design, with free-falling scales. We like the abundance of gold, a noble metal dear to Piaget, here.

8. Cartier

The house’s iconic Panthere takes centrestage, gazing into the distance while perched high on the roof of a traditional Chinese building. Anticipating a gleaming year, you think?

9. Cortina

How delightful is this purse of prosperity from Cortina? We appreciate how it is thoughtfully designed for angpow distribution, with internal slots for precise organisation. And the contrasting floral sleeve and envelope? Just lovely.

10. Vacheron Constantin

One house knows restraint elegance best, and it is Vacheron Constantin. This red packet set comes with a chic clutch and an envelope illustration that reminds us of its From Geometry to Artistry exhibition last year.

11. Hublot

Another simple yet stylish envelope clutch we appreciate. And the red gold-plated 3D serpent motif on the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake timepiece makes a commanding appearance.

12. Fred

The Sunshine Jeweller delights us with a nifty jewellery case, accompanied by angpows embellished with embossed fireworks. Both practical and evergreen.

13. Van Cleef & Arpels

Romance is in the air, with Van Cleef & Arpels’ dreamy butterflies and cascading flowers set against a pastoral landscape. We’re amazed at how intricately detailed this set is.

14. Franck Muller

Evoking the reptile’s sinous lines with a graphic design, these angpows are an extension of the aesthetic codes of the stunning Franck Muller Silhouette CX Snake watch.

15. Bvlgari

The house synonymous with the serpent chooses to go minimalistic this year, placing its Serpenti Infinito icon front and centre. Perhaps it’s a hint at the endless metamorphoses that are to come from Bvlgari’s signature emblem.

16. Rolex

Clean, sharp, and extremely well-made, Rolex’s red packets are perfect for any celebratory occasion. These are certainly some of the most collectible angpows we’ve seen.

17. Montblanc

Why the greyish-green tint, you ask? Montblanc has explained that it’s to honour the Chinese art of celadon porcelain. The pen tip motif on the envelopes and the gold-toned chopstick holders recall the brand’s long heritage in making writing instruments.

18. Graff

Look closely and you’ll see that the snakeskin effect here is created by countless little fans, which are a key motif of jewellery house Graff. Very pretty indeed.

19. Mikimoto

Mikomoto’s legendary pearls are interpreted as a sleeve in the shape of a string of pearls. And the texture on the red and gold packets are as luscious as the brand’s beloved organic gem.

20. Boucheron

Is it a snake, or just swirls? Bold, graphic and often provocative, Boucheron’s design ethos apply to its jewels as well as gifting accessories such as these.

21. Gucci

The fashion house’s GG logo is gloriously entwined with a striped serpent. The set also comes with a double Chinese knot decoration that echoes the form of its logo.

22. Blancpain

What looks like a majestic cobra rears its head on this angpow, which is also illustrated with the design of a Chinese calendar watch dial. Very apt for the occasion.

23. Omega

The Chinese character for prosperity and blessing (fu) is reimagined by Omega as a coiled snake. What an ingenious stylistic interpretation.

24. Buccellati

While we positively swoon over the gorgeous floral arrangement, Buccellati’s slithering snake here makes us weep, because it takes the form of the brand’s beautifully textured bracelets and rings handcrafted by Italian goldsmiths.

25. A. Lange & Sohne

What appears to be a completely minimalistic design of the number 25 in a date window is actually a reference to A. Lange & Sohne’s covetable 25th Anniversary models. This is a case of “If you know, you know”.

26. Sincere

The first letter of Sincere’s name is stylised as a serpent on its red packets. And the adorable little motifs flanking it on both sides? Watch parts!