The New Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 will usher in the Year of the Horse a year that ruled by the free spirit, speed, and courage of a horse galloping at full stride. Defined by determination, bravery, and an unbridled sense of freedom, the Year of the Horse promises to leave a lasting impression. For those seeking a timepiece worthy of this bold spirit, Longines’ Master Collection Year of the Horse naturally takes pride of place.
Welcoming a new year is always filled with excitement and renewed hope. As the final days of the year approach, streets across the globe glow with festive lights, while Christmas trees bring warmth and sparkle into homes. In parts of the Far East, however, the New Year is celebrated through a different cultural lens. For the Chinese New Year, a tradition spanning thousands of years, homes are thoroughly cleaned, red decorations symbolizing good fortune adorn living spaces, and families gather around tables filled with traditional dishes believed to bring luck and prosperity.
The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 animals, each representing a year in a repeating cycle. From February 17, 2026, to February 7, 2027, Chinese astrology marks the Year of the Horse, during which the energies symbolized by the horse are believed to influence the year ahead.
In Chinese astrology, the horse is associated with the fire element and represents speed, freedom, courage, and transformation. The Year of the Horse signals a dynamic period marked by change, renewal, and decisive moments. It is a time defined by bold choices and forward momentum—much like a horse racing freely across open land. For those who wish to accompany this fearless and passionate year with a watch on the wrist, Longines’ specially designed Master Collection Year of the Horse stands out as the perfect companion.
Inspired by a Galloping Horse
The Master Collection Year of the Horse is presented with a striking red dial that deepens in tone from the center toward the edges. This evocative color gradient symbolizes the horse’s strength, resilience, and its association with new beginnings. Yet the Chinese zodiac is not the watch’s sole source of inspiration; the celebrated painting Galloping Horse by Chinese artist Peon Xu lends an artistic dimension to the timepiece.
While red, which is an auspicious color in Chinese culture and a staple of New Year celebrations, dominates the dial, the horse motif itself is notably absent from the front. Instead, the dial embraces a refined and minimalist design language, featuring a moon-phase display at 6 o’clock. Set against a deep blue background, the moon-phase indication is adorned with gold-toned moons and stars, creating an elegant contrast. The date is indicated via a discreet gold-colored pointer within the same display.
Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands, a central seconds hand, and applied hour markers are all rendered in gold tones. The interplay between the rich red dial and yellow-gold accents creates a powerful visual contrast, allowing the spirit of the Fire Horse Year to be felt directly on the wrist.
The rearing horse makes its appearance on the transparent case back. Here, Peon Xu’s horse depiction from Galloping Horse is meticulously engraved onto the yellow gold–plated rotor of the movement. This engraving was realized in collaboration with the Peon Art Museum and under the guidance of the artist’s son, Qingping Xu. Inside beats the in-house calibre L899.5, equipped with a silicon balance spring and offering an impressive power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
The Master Collection Year of the Horse also serves as a reminder of Longines’ deep-rooted connection to equestrian sports. Horses, galloping at full speed, manes carrying the wind of freedom, and advancing relentlessly toward their goals, once again find their expression on a Longines timepiece.
