The Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse is the Swiss brand’s latest limited-edition collection, named after the Chinese zodiac, whose New Year runs from February 17th to March 3rd, 2026.
Still, that’s a not-to-be-missed business opportunity for one of the leading brands in the Chinese luxury market.
Ahead of 2026, Longines unveiled a celebratory Master Moonphase drawing inspiration from the Chinese zodiac, and the Peon Art Museum in Chongqing, named after legendary Chinese artist Peon Xu.
About the Chinese zodiac (briefly)
While our astrology centres on planets orbiting the sun, Chinese astrology historically follows a different approach, dividing the sky into 28 lunar mansions that mark the moon’s journey across the celestial vault.
Also, each year’s celebration chooses a different animal, since, according to several tellings, the tradition is linked to Buddha’s last wishes before his death.
Source: Luni Editrice.
He called upon all the animals, but only twelve answered. To reward them, Buddha assigned each one a full lunar cycle.
As you can see via the image above, twelve years after its most recent celebration, next year recurs the Year of the Horse.
That’s why Longines took inspiration from the Galloping Horse by the famous Chinese artist Peon Xu (1895-1953), exhibited at the aforementioned Peon Xu Museum in Chongqing, to design an exclusive limited edition watch.
The Master Collection Year of the Horse
Behind the Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse stands a fascinating story and a Chinese artist admired for his milestone animal paintings.
While a standard Master Moonphase is a core model in the brand’s portfolio, the 2026-piece limited-edition watch sets itself apart in a class of its own.
Peon Xu pioneered Chinese painting techniques, merging Chinese realism with Western ink painting techniques.
In this regard, his works celebrate an artistic connection between East and West, and we assume it drove Longines’s choice for their commemorative Master Moonphase.
Adopting black, red, and gold (the golden waves left by the horse as it passes by), the dial pays homage to Peon Xu’s Galloping Horse.
The dial is smoked red with a sunburst finish, and the four hands and applied indexes are crafted from 2N yellow gold.
The central theme stands out on the custom-designed winding mass and equally adds a distinctive touch while highlighting the brand’s close relationship with equestrian sports.
Coloured in yellow, the winding mass is the most distinctive feature of this Master Moonphase.
The main specs
They are as follows: the case measures 42.00 mm in diameterand 11.20 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 49.70 mm and a 20.00 mm distance between them; all in all, what you’d expect from a classic watch this size.
Securing the case to the wrist is a black alligator leather strap with a folding clasp and triple safety mechanism.
The Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse houses the tried-and-tested Longines L899.5 movement, working at 3 Hz.
It is a fairly magnetic-resistant calibre thanks to a silicon hairspring, and can run for at least 72 hours when fully wound.
Final thoughts
The Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse retails for €3,150 and will be produced in 2,026 pieces, each bearing the inscription “ONE OF 2026” engraved on the caseback.
Whether you’re a fan of limited edition watches or not, it’s a brilliant way to customise a watch, and not just any, considering that Longines’s production includes a few limited edition models.
Instead, I believe the brand should release more exclusive models, as refined as this one, that build on engaging storytelling and offer a clever customisation process.
In brief, the watch looks and feels different from any Master Moonphase, and is very attractive from any angle.
(Photo credit: Longines)
Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®
In this article:
Case
It encases the mechanical movement and is crafted in one or more parts. It can also be a single piece, as with some professional diving watches, or made of unconventional…
Strap
A leather, rubber or other material band that secures the watch to the wearer's wrist.
Calibre
A calibre is the type of watch movement encased in an assigned timepiece. Its name is usually associated with the manufacturer's name and a standard code, e.g., ETA 2824.
Black alligator leather strap, folding buckle with triple safety system and pushers
Calibre
L899.5, self-winding, 3 Hertz, silicon hairspring
Power reserve (h)
72
Limited Edition
2026 pieces
Reference
L2.919.4.09.2
Retail price
3.150€
Horbiter® Score
The Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse is a lovely limited edition watch based on the Master Moonphase. The customisation process turns the original model into something new, and we praise the partnership between Longines and the Peon Art Museum in Chongqing. As is often the case with classic models celebrating the Chinese zodiac, the winding mass is the most heavily customised part. The source of inspiration is well executed and more meaningful than anywhere else, given Longines’s close connection to equestrian sports. The average comfort score is due to the black alligator strap with a triple-folding clasp; while it is the most luxurious, it is usually not the most comfortable option.
