Founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Longines has spent nearly two centuries cultivating a reputation built on tradition, elegance, and performance. A significant chapter of this history is defined by the brand’s deep-rooted connection to the equestrian world, a passion dating back to the late 19th century that has seen the watchmaker serve as the official timekeeper for prestigious competitions worldwide. In a fitting homage to this enduring bond and the arrival of a new lunar cycle, Longines has unveiled a striking new timepiece: the Longines Master Collection: Year of the Horse Edition. This special release is designed to celebrate the vitality and drive that characterise the zodiac animal, uniting the grace of the horse with the brand’s centuries-old watchmaking expertise.
At a glance, the watch communicates its purpose with confidence. The rich gradient red dial—radiating from a darker perimeter to a luminous centre—evokes the glow of sunrise, a powerful metaphor for new beginnings. Red, long regarded as an auspicious colour in Chinese culture, anchors the watch firmly in the spirit of the Lunar New Year, while remaining unmistakably Longines in its restraint and refinement. Applied gilt hour markers and polished gilt hands bring warmth and clarity, creating a visual harmony that feels celebratory without excess.
The aesthetic soul of this limited edition lies in a unique artistic collaboration with the Peon Art Museum in China. The design draws inspiration from the renowned modern Chinese painter Peon Xu, who revolutionised traditional art by fusing Western techniques with Chinese realism. For this timepiece, the iconic motif from Xu’s celebrated painting, “Galloping Horse,” has been meticulously engraved onto the movement’s gilt rotor. As the wearer moves, the rotor animates the artwork, making the horse appear to gallop forward in a display of momentum and freedom. This powerful imagery is complemented by calligraphy by Qingping Xu, the artist’s son and esteemed calligrapher, which signifies the irresistible force of a horse in full stride seizing a favourable moment of breakthrough and success.
Beneath the artistic exterior lies a robust technical heart. Housed in a 42 mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 11.20 mm, the watch is powered by the exclusive Longines L899.5 self-winding mechanical movement. This calibre is equipped with a silicon balance-spring, a material chosen for its resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations, ensuring superior precision. The movement beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour and offers a generous power reserve of up to 72 hours.
Water-resistant up to 3 bar or 30 metres, the transparent sapphire case back allows owners to admire the custom-engraved rotor and the intricate mechanics within. A moonphase display, framed by a date indicator at 6 o’clock, adds a layer of technical sophistication to the clean layout. Limited to just 2,026 pieces worldwide, each watch features the engraving “YEAR OF THE HORSE – LIMITED EDITION – ONE OF 2026” on the case back, marking it as a rare tribute to the spirit of courage and perseverance.
Completing the design is an elegant black alligator leather strap secured by a stainless steel triple-safety folding clasp, lending a formal finish that underscores the watch’s collectible character. In its entirety, the Longines Master Collection: Year of the Horse Edition is more than a commemorative release—it is a dialogue between heritage and art, mechanics and meaning, where the spirit of the horse gallops eternally in time.
