The Chinese fire horse at a full gallop: The special models of the watch brands

For a long time now, many watches have offered not only functions and a contemporary design, but also a unique, more or less current theme. This could be sporting events, exhibitions, blockbuster movies, or all kinds of historical anniversaries. Anything that emotionally engages the buyer, perhaps even serving as a statement, is suitable.

Every brand can therefore always find a motif for a special edition, preferably a limited one, because that increases desirability and the optimal sales period is clearly defined. Every winter, however, numerous companies all focus on the same animal: the one that, according to the Chinese zodiac, determines the coming year. From February 17th onwards, it is the particularly energetic "Fire Horse" that is now being interpreted on watch models from a wide variety of brands.

The Chinese 12-year cycle: of cunning snakes, hungry pigs and swift horses

The myth behind it is that the Jade Emperor, the chief god of Daoism, once had various animals race across a raging river. The first twelve of them made it into the calendar and form a twelve-year cycle.

In first place was the clever rat, who had been carried by the buffalo almost to the finish line. The fast horse would also have had a chance of winning. However, the cunning snake had hidden behind the horse and startled it just before the finish. In last place was the pig, who had taken a break from eating.

In combination with each of the five elements (fire, metal, earth, wood, and water), a 60-year cycle emerges, each with its own unique character. Each combination occurs only once every 60 years.

Such time periods can of course be represented by the mechanism of a clock, but this remains the exception. Blancpain, for example, offers such a specialty with its "Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel".

Others are now focusing on the expressive depiction of the fire horse, sometimes explicitly, sometimes subtly, but always as characteristic of the brand as possible. A wide variety of craftsmanship techniques are beautifully employed for this purpose. Some models are not intended for the German market, but collectors, especially frequent travelers, know how to acquire the objects of their desire.

2026 and the Fire Horse

This year's fire horse It is considered particularly powerful, but also somewhat contradictory. People born in the Year of the Horse are traditionally considered freedom-loving, energetic, adventurous, charismatic, easily enthusiastic, independent, and sometimes impulsive.

Incidentally, another hoofed animal will be featured in 2027: the fiery goat. Image-wise, at least in markets outside China, it presents a greater challenge than the horse. But I'm sure designers are already hard at work creating attractive models.

Longines: „Master Collection Moonphase “Year of the Horse’”

Longines has long enjoyed close ties to both equestrian sports and China. The „Master Collection Moonphase, Year of the Horse,“ limited to 3,200 pieces, symbolically approaches this theme on the front with a gradient dial in the lucky color red. The moon phase underscores the fact that China uses a combined lunar and solar calendar. On the back, the horse is depicted concretely: as an engraving on the gold-plated rotor. (RRP €3,200)

TAG Heuer: „Carrera 'Year of the Horse'’

TAG Heuer takes a similar approach with its limited edition "Carrera 'Year of the Horse'" (only 250 pieces made). It features red and gold accents on a champagne-colored dial, and the Chinese character for "horse" replaces the 7 on the date wheel. A racehorse is engraved on the sapphire crystal case back. (RRP €8100)

IWC Schaffhausen: „Portugieser Automatic 42 'Year of the Horse'’

The „Portugieser Automatic 42 'Year of the Horse'’ follows the same principle, but features an all-over wine-red dial and strap. Here, the entire rotor of this limited-edition watch (only 500 pieces made) forms a galloping horse, subtly referencing the Chinese calendar. (RRP €15,300)

Piaget: „Altiplano Zodiac Horse”

Piaget, on the other hand, presents a leaping horse on the dial of its „Altiplano Zodiac Horse” – a work of art created using hand engraving and various enamel techniques. The flat white gold case is set with diamonds. Only 18 of these watches will be produced; customers can inquire about the price.

Louis Moinet: „Puzzle Fire Horse“

The small, exquisite Louis Moinet manufacture primarily produces mechanical specialties. For the "Puzzle Fire Horse," a miniature painting was sawn into 81 pieces, which—after elaborate finishing—were then reassembled to create a unique surface that is almost entirely obscured by the rotating flying tourbillon in front of a fire opal. (One-of-a-kind piece, MSRP approximately €150,000)

Vacheron Constantin: „Métiers d'Art 'Year of the Horse'‚

Vacheron Constantin also demonstrates a bold approach to the equestrian theme with its limited-edition "Métiers d'Art 'Year of the Horse'" watch, crafted from rose gold and platinum. The automatic caliber 2460 G4 places all time displays in windows at the edge of the dial, thus creating space for exceptional artwork. In this case, it's a high-relief gold carving of a horse set against a miniature painting. (Price on request)

Arnold & Son: Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold 'Year of the Horse'"‚

In addition to an elaborate horse sculpture, the Arnold & Son „Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‚Year of the Horse’“ features a large moon phase display. This display is not only exceptionally precise (requiring correction only every 122 years), but also glows brightly in the dark, transforming the horse scene into a nighttime scene. The timepiece is equipped with a hand-wound movement and is limited to eight pieces. (RRP €74,200)

Swatch: „Riding the Clouds“

Swatch, on the other hand, is targeting the mass market of horse-loving girls and boys – not just Chinese ones – with its quartz model "Riding the Clouds." The cheerful motif, created in collaboration with the artist Yu Wenjie, adorns both the dial and the strap. (RRP €100)

Luminox: „Year of the Horse“

A quartz movement also powers the Luminox "Year of the Horse," limited to 600 pieces. A subtle horse's head is discreetly tucked away at seven o'clock. Otherwise, the watch features gold accents against a dark background and character traits that reflect its motto: resilience and endurance. (RRP €575)

Oris: „Year of the Horse Limited Edition“

Oris uses two micro-horses in its visual representation. They symbolize the extremes of the 10-day power reserve indicator of the in-house Calibre 113, which offers special calendar indications: in addition to the date, a display of the month and calendar week is shown from the center. The dial translates the enthusiastic character of the fire horse into striking red gradients. Less poetically, the cordovan strap serves as a reminder that horses can also be used to make excellent leather. The limited edition of 88 pieces is reminiscent of the Chinese lucky number 8. (RRP €6,650)

Blancpain: „Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel“

Blancpain, while offering a universal solution for the entire aforementioned 60-year cycle with the "Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel," is nevertheless offering 50 pieces of a special edition for 2026: featuring a salmon-colored enamel dial and a traditional horse motif on the white gold rotor. (RRP €87,300)