A Herd Of Year of the Horse Watches

Giddy-up! With the Lunar New Year turning to the Horse in 2026, watch brands across the spectrum have once again found inspiration in the Chinese zodiac. As usual, the results vary widely, from highly artistic Métiers d’Art pieces and gem-set showstoppers to more restrained interpretations that rely on symbolism, color, or subtle detailing rather than overt imagery. What unites these releases is a shared theme of motion, energy, and forward momentum, qualities long associated with the Horse in Chinese culture. Some brands tapped heavily into traditional craft and storytelling, while others reinterpret the theme through modern materials, mechanics, or design codes already central to their identity. Below is a look at some of the most notable Year of the Horse watches released for 2026, spanning high horology, mainstream luxury, and accessible offerings.

Breitling Top Time B01 Racing Shadow Rider

Release Date: January 2026

At first glance, this doesn’t look like a run-of-the-mill Lunar New Year watch — there’s no bright red dial, oversized animal motif, or heavy use of gold. However, upon closer inspection, the Top Time B01 Racing Shadow Rider is indeed the Breitling Year of the Horse watch for 2026.

Limited to 288 pieces worldwide, the Top Time B01 Racing Shadow Rider approaches the zodiac theme subtly rather than through spectacle. The 38mm stainless steel cushion-shaped case draws directly from Breitling’s 1960s Top Time designs, while the black-and-white dial features the brand’s signature elliptical “dashboard” layout. A horse head silhouette appears in the small seconds subdial, and the tachymeter scale is discreetly marked with “YEAR OF THE HORSE” between 12 and 2 o’clock.

Powering the watch is the in-house Breitling Caliber 01, an automatic chronograph movement with a 70-hour power reserve. It’s paired with a beige perforated racing-style calfskin strap reminding us of the watch’s motorsport inspiration. Around back, the solid caseback is engraved with “ONE OF 288” and the the same horse silhouette (which Breitling refers to as the Shadow Rider emblem).

Top Time B01 Racing Shadow Rider Watch Specs

Model	Top Time B01 Racing Shadow Rider
Reference	AB01773A1B1X1
Case	Stainless steel 38mm diameter 13.07mm thickness 44.4mm lug-to-lug Water resistance 100m
Movement	Breitling Manufacture Caliber B01 Automatic winding 28,800bph 70-hour power reserve
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds Chronograph with 1/4-second timing and 30-minute counter
Strap	Beige calfskin leather strap
Limited	Global limited series of 288 pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	Approximately $7,700

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Frosted Carbon Year of the Horse

Release Date: January 2026

Hublot commemorates the Year of the Horse with a limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang Frosted Carbon, continuing the brand’s Lunar New Year tradition. The celebratory watch uses carbon not just for the case but as the primary artistic medium on the dial too.

The focal point is the hand-executed carbon marquetry dial, where individually cut carbon fragments are layered and assembled by hand to form a stylized horse in motion. Outlined in gold and inspired by Tang-dynasty motifs, the horse appears against a lacquered black base, with 3N gold-plated brass appliqués adding depth and contrast. The effect is deliberately graphic and three-dimensional, with gold lines recalling embroidered patterns found in historical Chinese ceremonial dress.

The 42mm tonneau-shaped case is crafted from matte black carbon and paired with a black calf-and-rubber strap, playing up the watch’s monochromatic, technical feel. Inside is Hublot’s automatic HUB1710 movement, offering a power reserve of approximately 50 hours and visible through the smoked sapphire caseback.

Limited to 88 pieces, the Big Bang Frosted Carbon Year of the Horse watch is priced at around $40,000.

Spirit of Big Bang Frosted Carbon Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Spirit of Big Bang Frosted Carbon Year of the Horse
Case	Matte black carbon tonneau-shaped case 42mm diameter Smoked sapphire caseback
Dial	Hand-laid carbon marquetry dial sculpted and finished entirely by hand Horse motif outlined in gold 3N gold-plated brass appliqués Three-dimensional gold lines inspired by Tang-dynasty artistry and ancient Chinese ceremonial embroidery
Movement	Caliber HUB1710 Automatic winding 50-hour power reserve
Functions	Hours; minutes
Strap	Black calf-rubber strap
Limited Edition	88 pieces
2025 Retail Price (MSRP)	Approximately $40,000

Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold Year of the Horse

Release Date: January 2026

Arnold & Son adds another Chinese Zodiac piece to its collection with the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse,” a limited edition of just eight pieces created for the Fire Horse cycle.

Housed in a 41.5mm 18k red gold case, the dial depicts a nocturnal scene dominated by a hand-engraved red gold appliqué rearing horse. The animal is set against a shimmering black aventurine sky, with hand-painted gold accents suggesting sparks and motion as the horse crests a hill beneath a luminous mother-of-pearl moon. Subtle applications of Super-LumiNova bring the scene to life in low light, while painted constellations tie in the astronomical motif.

Powering the watch is the manually wound A&S1512 movement, built specifically around Arnold & Son’s signature astronomical moon-phase display. Accurate to within one day every 122 years, the moon-phase complication is shown prominently on the dial, with a secondary moon-phase display on the caseback for precise setting. The movement beats at 3 Hz, features twin barrels, and delivers a 90-hour power reserve.

Paired with a black alligator strap lined in red and secured by a red gold pin buckle, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” is priced at CHF 62,600 (approximately $78,000).

Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse”
Reference	1GLBR.Z11A.C1293A
Case	18kred gold 41.5mm diameter 11.67mm thickness; Water resistance 30m
Dial	Black aventurine glass dial Hand-engraved 18k red gold horse appliqué Hand-painted landscape with gold powder and Super-LumiNova Black aventurine glass sky with hand-painted constellations and Super-LumiNova Mother-of-pearl moon discs with Super-LumiNova
Movement	Caliber A&S1512 Manual-winding 21,600bph 90-hour power reserve
Functions	Hours, minutes Astronomical moon phases Second moon-phase display on the caseback
Strap	Black alligator leather strap with red alligator leather lining 18kred gold pin buckle
Limited Edition	8 pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	CHF 62,600 Approx $78,000

Oris Year of the Horse Limited Edition

Release Date: January 2026

Oris marks the 2026 Lunar New Year with the Year of the Horse Limited Edition, a striking release built around the brand’s high-concept Caliber 113. The watch fully embraces the symbolism of the Fire Horse with a deep red dial, warm-toned subdials, and a dark brown cordovan leather strap made from horsehide.

The 43mm stainless steel case houses the hand-wound Caliber 113 movement. With a substantial 10-day power reserve, it’s one of Oris’s most technically ambitious in-house movements. It features a non-linear power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock. “Non-linear” in this context means the power reserve hand speeds up as the mainspring runs down, giving you finer legibility in the last few days before empty. A full calendar displays the day, date, week, and month.

In a playful nod to the Year of the Horse, the power reserve display incorporates galloping and resting horse motifs, indicating when the mainspring is fully wound or nearing depletion. Measuring 43mm in diameter, 13.1mm thick, and 50mm lug-to-lug, the case is unapologetically substantial, yet according to Oris, still wearable.

Limited to 88 pieces (a number associated with good fortune in Chinese culture), the Oris Year of the Horse watch is priced at (a very ambitious, I might add) $8,000.

Oris Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Year of the Horse Limited Edition
Reference	01 113 7806 4088-Set
Case	Stainless steel case 43.00mm diameter 13.10mm thickness 50.00 mm lug-to-lug Sapphire crystal caseback Water resistance 50 meters
Dial	Dark red dial with applied indices
Movement	Oris Caliber 113 Manual winding 10-day power reserve
Functions	Central hours and minutes Central week and month indication Small seconds at 9 o’clock Non-linear power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock Date window at 9 o’clock Day window at 12 o’clock; day, date, and week corrector
Power Reserve	240 hours
Strap	Dark brown cordovan leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp
Limited Edition	88 numbered pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	$8,000

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse

Release Date: January 2026

TAG Heuer marks the Lunar New Year with the Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse, a limited edition that leans heavily into symbolism while staying true to the modern Carrera design language. Featuring a 39mm stainless steel Glassbox case, the watch is limited to 250 pieces.

The dial inside the 39mm steel case is where the theme comes through most clearly. A warm gradient shifting between champagne gold and deep red sets the tone, paired with a red lacquered running seconds subdial at 3 o’clock. At 9 o’clock, the Chinese character for horse replaces the usual chronograph register, a subtle nod to the Year of the Horse. Rose gold–plated hands and applied indices add warmth, while red (a Chinese lucky color) accents tie the palette together.

Powering the watch is the automatic Caliber TH20-07, visible through the sapphire caseback and offering an 80-hour power reserve. The Carrera is fitted with TAG Heuer’s beads-of-rice steel bracelet, a comfortable and period-appropriate choice that emphasizes the model’s vintage-inspired proportions.

Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse
Reference	CBS221D.BA0048
Case	Stainless steel 39 mm diameter Sapphire crystal caseback Water resistance 100m
Dial	Beige sunray-brushed dial
Movement	Caliber TH20-07 automatic chronograph 28,800 vph (4 Hz) 80-hour power reserve
Functions	Hours; minutes; seconds; chronograph with 30-minute counter
Bracelet	Stainless steel Beads-of-Rice bracelet; fine-brushed and polished finish
Buckle	Folding clasp with double-security; fine-brushed and polished steel
Limited Edition	250 pieces, individually numbered “One of 250”
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	$8,150

Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse

Release Date: December 2025

Longines celebrates the Year of the Horse with a special edition of the Master Collection, drawing a clear line between this year’s zodiac and the brand’s long-standing ties to the equestrian world. The watch pairs a familiar Master Collection layout with artwork drawn from modern Chinese painting.

The 42mm stainless steel case houses a sunray-brushed red dial that transitions subtly from center to edge, creating a dramatic backdrop for gilt hands, applied indices, and a moonphase and date display at 6 o’clock.

The sapphire caseback reveals the automatic Longines Caliber L899.5, notable here for its yellow-gilt rotor engraved with Galloping Horse, a famous work by modern Chinese artist Peon Xu. As the wrist moves, the engraved horse appears to surge forward, underlining the Year of the Horse theme.

Priced at $3,400 and limited to 2,026 pieces, this Longines Master Collection is one of the more affordable 2026 Year of the Horse watches made by a big-name watch brand.

Master Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse Edition
Reference	L2.919.4.09.2
Case	Stainless steel 42mm diameter 11.20mm thickness 49.70mm lug-to-lug; Transparent sapphire crystal caseback Water resistance 3 bar
Dial	Sunray red gradient dial
Movement	Caliber L899 Automative winding 25,200 vibrations per hour 72-hour power reserve
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds Moon-phase display Date indicated by small hand at 6 o’clock
Strap	Black alligator leather strap with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
Limited Edition	2,026 pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	$3,400

Harry Winston Moments Automatic 36mm Year of the Horse

Release Date: January 2026

The Harry Winston entry into the Year of the Horse watch herd is a highly exclusive model from the Moments Collection in the form of an Automatic 36mm model limited to just eight pieces. Crafted in rose gold, the jewelry watch pairs vivid red lacquer with diamond-set detailing.

The dial features a sculptural horse fashioned in red and gold tones, set against a red mother-of-pearl backdrop. Marquise-cut diamonds mark the hours beneath a horseshoe-shaped arch, increasing in size toward the base of the dial, while an emerald-cut diamond at 6 o’clock (one of Harry Winston’s signature design cues) completes the composition. As so many other Year of the Horse watches on this list, the red-and-gold color palette underscores themes of prosperity and good fortune traditionally associated with the Lunar New Year.

The 36mm rose gold case is home to a double-row diamond-set bezel and a crown at 12 o’clock, topped with a pearl. Furthermore, the piece is paired with a glossy red alligator strap secured by a rose gold ardillon buckle set with 33 brilliant-cut diamonds. As with prior Chinese New Year releases from the brand, this piece is unapologetically decorative, prioritizing gem-setting and symbolism. And with a production run of just eight examples and a price of approximately $75,000, it’s clearly aimed at the brand’s most devoted collectors.

Moments Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Moments Collection Year of the Horse
Case	Rose gold 36mm diameter Diamond-set bezel
Dial	Red mother-of-pearl dial featuring a sculptural horse in red and gold tones Marquise-cut diamond hour markers arranged beneath a horseshoe-shaped arch, graduating in size toward the lower half of the dial Emerald-cut diamond at 6 o’clock
Movement	Automatic
Functions	Hours, minutes
Strap	Glossy red alligator leather strap with rose gold ardillon buckle set with 33 brilliant-cut diamonds
Limited Edition	8 pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	Approximately $75,000

Piaget Altiplano Zodiac Horse Edition

Release Date: December 2025

Piaget continues its long-running Chinese Zodiac series with the Altiplano Zodiac Horse Edition, a highly decorative Métiers d’Art release limited to just 18 pieces. As with previous Zodiac editions dating back to 2012, the focus here is firmly on artisanal craft rather than complications.

The 41mm white gold Altiplano case is framed with baguette-cut diamonds, with additional brilliant-cut stones set into the lugs and a rose-cut diamond crowning the winding stem. Inside is Piaget’s ultra-thin, hand-wound Caliber 830P, keeping the profile slim and elegant. Piaget, after all, makes some of the world’s thinnest watches.

As expected, the dial is where this watch does the heavy lifting. Created in collaboration with master enameller Anita Porchet, the white gold base is first hand-engraved to form a sculptural relief before being partitioned for cloisonné enamelling. Layers of grand feu enamel in blue, gray, and white tones are then applied, while Piaget’s historic Palace Décor engraving technique reappears in the form of textured waves accented with diamonds. At the center sits a three-dimensional cloisonné enamel horse, captured mid-leap.

Altiplano Zodiac Horse Edition Watch Specs

Model	Altiplano Zodiac Horse Edition
Collection	Piaget Métiers d’Art
Case	White gold Altiplano case with diamond-set lugs/crown/bezel 41 mm diameter
Dial	White gold dial hand-engraved in-house Cloisonné enamel composition with grand feu enamel in shades of blue, grey, and white Piaget Palace Décor engraving Waves of brilliant-cut diamonds integrated into the design Three-dimensional cloisonné enamel horse depicted mid-leap
Movement	Piaget Caliber 830P Manual-winding 19,800 bph 60 hours power reserve
Functions	Hours, minutes
Limited Edition	18 pieces

Swatch Riding the Clouds

Release Date: December 2025

Swatch joins the Year of the Horse celebrations with Riding the Clouds, a playful quartz release created in collaboration with artist Yu Wenjie, a former Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist-in-residence. The watch specifically references the Year of the Fire Horse, leaning into themes of energy, motion, and forward momentum.

The dial features two winged horses rendered in raised print, one white and one black, depicting the balance of yin and yang. Surrounded by flames and drifting clouds, the imagery pulls directly from Chinese symbolism, pairing fire with movement and good fortune. The red-toned dial design extends onto the strap, which takes inspiration from traditional scroll paintings and protective red talismans.

Featuring a 41mm transparent polymer case and powered by a quartz movement, Swatch Riding the Clouds is water resistant to 3 bar and priced at $105 — a fun, affordable entry in this year’s growing herd of Year of the Horse watches.

Riding the Clouds Watch Specs

Model	Riding the Clouds – Original Collection
Reference	SUOZ369
Case	Matte transparent polymer case 41mm diameter 9.85mm thickness 47.40mm lug-to-lug Water resistance 30 meters
Dial	Multi-colored printed dial featuring two horses set against flames and drifting clouds Design created in collaboration with former Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist-in-residence Yu Wenjie
Movement	Quartz
Strap	Multi-colored silicone strap with flame and cloud motifs Matte transparent loop and polymer buckle
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	$105

Vacheron Constantin The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Horse

Release Date: November 2025

Vacheron Constantin adds a Year of the Horse watch to its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series with two restrained yet highly intricate limited editions. Housed in 40mm cases crafted in either 18k 5N pink gold or 950 platinum, each version is limited to 25 pieces and places artistry squarely at the forefront.

At the heart of the watch is Caliber 2460 G4, a self-winding movement offering a 40-hour power reserve and designed without traditional hands. Instead, time and calendar indications appear via four peripheral apertures, freeing the center of the dial for artistry. That open canvas is filled with a sculptural, hand-engraved horse rendered in relief, leaping across a rock against a softly graduated grand feu enamel background enhanced by miniature painting. The combination of engraving, enameling, and micro-painting creates depth and motion while still retaining the restraint Vacheron Constantin is known for.

Pricing for these limited-edition Year of the Horse models is not publicly disclosed, though the pink gold version is understood to trade on the market at around $145,000.

The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Horse Watch Specs

Model	Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Horse
References	86073/000R-H067 (18k 5N pink gold) 86073/000P-H066 (950 platinum)
Case	18k 5N pink gold or 950 platinum 40mm diameter 12.72mm thickness; Water resistance 30 meters
Dial	18k 4N gold base with opaque miniature and Grand Feu enamel Horse and rock in hand-engraved and enamelled 18k 5N pink gold or 18k white gold
Movement	Caliber 2460 G4 Self-winding Approximately 40-hour power reserve 4 Hz (28,800 vph) 237 components 27 jewels Hallmark of Geneva certified
Functions	Trailing hours and minutes Jumping day of the week and date displayed in apertures
Strap	Brown or blue Mississippiensis alligator 18k 5N pink gold or 950 platinum folding clasp
Limited	25 pieces per reference
2025 Retail Price (MSRP)	Upon request Approx market value of the pink gold version: $145,000

IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse

Release Date: October 2025

IWC continues its Lunar New Year tradition with the Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse, a 500-piece limited edition that keeps the zodiac reference quite hidden. The watch sports a 42mm stainless steel case and is paired with a deep burgundy dial — a color choice tied to Lunar New Year symbolism (darker red) but restrained enough to remain within the Portugieser design language.

The dial layout will be familiar to anyone who knows the modern Portugieser Automatic. Small seconds sit at 9 o’clock, the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, and a discreet date window appears at 6 o’clock — punctuated with gold-toned hands, applied numerals, and indices.

Powering the watch is IWC’s in-house Caliber 52011, equipped with the brand’s Pellaton winding system and ceramic components for long-term durability. The movement delivers a substantial 168-hour (seven-day) power reserve via twin barrels. A nice Lunar New Year-specific detail appears on the caseback, where the gold-plated rotor is shaped like a galloping horse, which is subtle enough to avoid being gimmicky but still clearly tied to the theme.

The Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse, priced at $15,500, is delivered with two straps: a black alligator and a matching burgundy alligator, both fitted with a stainless steel folding clasp.

Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse Watch Specs

Model	Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse
Reference	IW501709
Case	Stainless steel 42 mm diameter Box-shaped sapphire crystal front and back Water resistance not specified
Dial	Burgundy dial with small seconds at 9 o’clock Power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock Date window at 6 o’clock
Movement	IWC-manufactured Caliber 52011 Automatic winding with Pellaton winding system Gold-plated rotor shaped like a galloping horse Twin barrels Power reserve 168 hours (7 days)
Functions	Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve display, date
Strap	Black alligator leather strap and additional burgundy alligator leather strap; stainless steel folding clasp
Limited Edition	500 pieces
2026 Retail Price (MSRP)	$15,500

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Horse

Release Date: September 2025

Jaeger-LeCoultre adds yet another model to its Chinese Zodiac series with the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Horse,” a highly limited 10-piece release created to mark the 2026 Lunar New Year. While the Reverso’s origins trace back to polo in 1931, its long-standing association with engraving and personalized casebacks makes it a natural canvas for zodiac symbolism.

Presented in a pink gold Reverso case measuring 45.6mm by 27.4mm, the watch places its artistic focus on the caseback, where a hand-engraved horse emerges from a field of black opaque Grand Feu enamel. Executed using modeled engraving, the relief motif required roughly 80 hours of work per piece and was carved directly into an already enamelled surface, a process that leaves virtually no margin for error.

The same deep black Grand Feu enamel appears on the dial, paired with the clean, Art Deco layout of the Reverso Tribute line, including applied markers, a chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands. Inside, the manually wound Caliber 822 delivers a straightforward hours-and-minutes display with a 42-hour power reserve, keeping the mechanics deliberately reserved.

Price is, yet again, not disclosed, but expect this limited edition, pink gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Year of the Horse watch to retail well above $100,000.

Reverso Tribute Enamel “Horse” Watch Specs

Model	Reverso Tribute Enamel “Horse”
Reference	Q39324D3
Case	18k pink gold swivel case 45.6mm x 27.4mm 9.73mm thickness 30 meters water resistance
Dial	Black opaque Grand Feu enamel
Caseback	Black enamel with horse engraving
Movement	Manually wound Caliber 822 42 hours power reserve
Functions	Hours; minutes
Strap	Black alligator leather strap with interchangeable folding buckle
Limited Edition	10 pieces
Price	Upon request Estimated to be above $100,000

The Year of the Horse, Straight From the Stable

From ultra-high craft Métiers d’Art pieces to playful, accessible releases, the Year of the Horse has inspired one of the most diverse Lunar New Year watch lineups in recent memory. Across price points and philosophies, these watches reflect how differently brands interpret the same zodiac symbol, some leaning into hand-engraving and enamel work, others opting for modern materials, bold color, or subtle symbolism tucked into the details.

As always, Lunar New Year releases tend to disappear quickly, so collectors interested in any of these pieces may want to move fast. It’s also worth noting that several of these Year of the Horse watches are offered exclusively, or primarily, in East Asian markets, where the Lunar New Year carries significant cultural weight, making availability even more limited for collectors elsewhere.

More About Lunar New Year Watches:

• 12 Year of the Dragon Watches to Ring in Lunar New Year
• Year of the Snake Watches