It has become an annual tradition for brands to celebrate the Chinese zodiac calendar with exclusive launches. While some play it safe, others push it to the limit investing energy, expertise and money into pieces we like to call art. Since this year marks the Year of the Snake, the sixth sign of the zodiac, we expect to see lots of snake-inspired designs across many sectors of the luxury industry, from fashion to home décor. The writing instruments industry is part of the movement, with Moleskine unveiling several notebook collections and Yard-O-Led recently publishing images of its latest creation on Instagram. Let’s discover what the brands have worked on this year to celebrate the Year of The Snake.
The Symbolism of The Snake in the Chinese Zodiac
The Year of the Snake has just started, bringing with it a sense of renewal. Also known as the Spring Festival, this holiday marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a fresh new year according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Though the snake’s reputation is often viewed as contradictory in many Western cultures, it is revered in the East for its positive symbolism.
That leads us to believe that 2025 will be a year of positive transformation—at least for those ready to embrace it. In honor of the Snake and the spirit of new beginnings, several brands in the industry have unveiled special editions, showcasing the snake’s untamed beauty through intricate motifs and exquisite materials. These creations serve as totems of luck, meant to be carried along the journey.
Yard-O-Led The Year of The Snake – The Art of Hand Chasing
Yard-O-Led unveiled its latest collection two days ago on Instagram, offering fans a brief teaser—likely leaving them waiting with bated breath. As expected, the Birmingham-based brand has stayed true to the material that put its name on the world map, enhancing it with the silhouette of a hand-chased snake, crafted using an ancient metalworking technique.
This technique traces its roots back to Ancient Egypt. At a time when decorative methods were far less advanced and diverse than today, hand chasing was a widely used technique for adorning various objects, from gold and silver jewelry to burial masks and artifacts. Surprisingly—or perhaps not—this technique, practiced for over 5,000 years, is still in use today. In fact, it is kept alive by the passionate craftsmen at Yard-O-Led. While modern tools have simplified the crafting process, looking at the tiny, spectacular details, I can say that skill and precision remain essential to the craft. If a highly intricate hand-chased design requires an average of 5+ hours to complete on a single pen, then with 50 Standard and 50 Grand fountain pens, that adds up to an astonishing 500+ hours of meticulous craftsmanship. You do the math.
Each edition is numbered on its clip, leaving the pen cap and barrel clear for the owner’s personalized inscription.
Pricing:
Yard-O-Led The Year of The Snake Standard: €1,550
Yard-O-Led The Year of The Snake Grand: €1,900
Caran d’Ache Year of The Snake – The Mystery of Lacquer
Caran d’Ache demonstrates that luxury and precision have Swiss roots. This year’s edition, dedicated to the Snake exudes elegance, mystery, and nobility and follows a similar aesthetic direction to last year’s Dragon edition, reflecting the symbolic connection between the two. ‘In fact, the Dragon takes the form of a Snake on Earth, and the two are linked in Chinese astrology. They share intelligence, beauty, knowledge, magic, and mystery,’ says the brand.
The edition features a calligraphic depiction of the Snake, with its body in gold plate and sections adorned with glossy black polished Chinese lacquer—a signature material of the maison. This exceptional creation continues a long tradition of rare pieces in the Caran d’Ache Artist Collection.
Limited to just 888 numbered pieces and enriched with noble materials, it is a rare and highly precious object.
Pricing: €3,200.00
Montblanc The Legend of Zodiacs The Snake LE 512 – Beyond Elegance
The Montblanc edition takes a unique approach, using storytelling to present the snake in a more authentic way. The Maison portrays the animal through a hand-engraved design set in the heart of a bamboo forest. The Ag 925 sterling silver cap features a hand-engraved snake, its long, supple body—symbolizing longevity and happiness—coiling around a sturdy bamboo stem with its head raised.
‘Because of its ability to stand upright again after every storm, bamboo is considered a symbol of vitality, success and flexibility. It grows in April, which is also the month associated with the snake.’ explains the brand.
To maintain a balanced aesthetic, the platinum-coated barrel features an ornamental engraving inspired by the Chinese lucky knot, Zhongguó Jié. Completing the design, the cone is set with an opal triplet, symbolizing the birthstone of those born under the sign of the snake. The cap ring is engraved with the current Year of the Snake, 2025, alongside the six previous Years of the Snake. The motif of a snake coiled around a bamboo stem is elegantly reiterated on the 18-carat gold nib.
Pricing: €6,200.00
I chose to feature three distinct editions in one article to showcase the beauty of design in its varied forms. This is one of the aspects I truly appreciate about the industry—each brand excels in its niche, bringing a unique approach even when working with a common theme. Isn’t it fascinating to witness such releases?
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