Swatch Welcomes the Chinese New Year with the "Riding the Clouds"

With the Riding the Clouds from its Originals collection, Swatch ushers in the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse with characteristic exuberance. Designed in collaboration with Yu Wenjie, an artist from the Swatch Art Peace Hotel, the watch translates the powerful symbolism of the horse into an expressive composition of color, motion, and detail.

The Lunar Year of the Horse begins on February 17, 2026, and in Chinese astrology the horse stands for energy, freedom, speed, and optimism. Those born under this sign are said to be independent, passionate, and action-oriented. In recent years, an increasing number of watch brands have marked the Lunar New Year with thoughtfully crafted special editions, often produced in limited numbers. The trend gained early momentum with high-end interpretations such as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Tribute Enamel “Horse,” followed by IWC’s Portugieser 42 Year of the Horse, the Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse Special Edition and the Oris Year of the Horse Limited Edition. 

The dial and matte-transparent case feature a richly layered, multicolored print depicting two galloping horses, one black, one white, surging forward against a backdrop of flames and drifting clouds. The imagery conveys dynamism and balance, while gold-colored hour and minute hands filled with luminescent material, along with a gold-toned seconds hand, add refined highlights to the vivid scene.

Housed in a 41mm transparent polymer case, the Riding the Clouds feels light and contemporary on the wrist. At just 9.85mm thick, it offers comfortable wear, staying true to Swatch’s accessible, everyday ethos. The energetic artwork continues seamlessly onto the silicone strap, reinforcing the sense of motion and visual continuity. The quartz-powered watch is priced at $105.

To learn more, visit Swatch, here.