Galloping Into 2026: Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse Special Edition

The Chinese year 2026 is dedicated to the Horse— a powerful symbol of vitality, courage, and forward momentum. For the watch industry, the lunar calendar has long been a source of creative inspiration, regularly giving rise to expressive limited editions with strong collector appeal. Following IWC’s Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse presented last fall, Longines now adds its own refined interpretation with the Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse Special Edition.

Created in collaboration with the Peon Art Museum in China, the watch translates the iconic Galloping Horse motif by renowned artist Peon Xu (Xu Beihong) into the world of fine watchmaking for the first time. The artwork appears as a finely engraved relief on the gilded rotor of the automatic movement. Xu Beihong is regarded as a reformer of traditional Chinese art, known for combining Western painting techniques with Chinese realism and the expressive power of ink painting.

Complementing the imagery is the calligraphy “奔马得势” by Qingping Xu— the artist’s son and an acclaimed calligrapher in his own right. The phrase combines “奔马” (galloping horse), symbolizing speed, strength, and drive, with “得势” (gaining momentum or advantage), conveying the idea of seizing a powerful and favorable position. Engraved into the gilded rotor, the artwork comes alive with every movement of the wrist, seamlessly blending mechanical precision with cultural depth.

A Deep-Rooted Connection to the Equestrian World

The horse is not only central to the Chinese zodiac but has also been an integral part of Longines’ identity since the 19th century. As a long-standing official timekeeper of international equestrian sports, the brand is closely associated with precision, elegance, and performance — values that are symbolically reflected in this special edition. The Master Collection Year of the Horse thus bridges cultural significance, sporting tradition, and classical Swiss watchmaking.

Two Classic Complications, Beautifully Staged

The dark red gradient dial evokes the light of dawn and carries auspicious connotations of renewal and fresh beginnings. Gold-colored hands and applied indices, executed in the restrained style characteristic of the Master Collection, enhance the watch’s refined appearance. A moon-phase display with integrated date adds further depth and reinforces the classical character of the design.

Housed in a 42mm stainless-steel case with a height of 11.2mm, the watch maintains a well-balanced presence on the wrist. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, the exclusive automatic caliber L899.5 can be admired, featuring an antimagnetic silicon balance spring and an impressive power reserve of up to 72 hours.

The Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse Special Edition is limited to 2,026 pieces and priced at $3,400.

To learn more, visit Longines, here.