Longines is leaning into Lunar New Year storytelling with a special-edition Master Collection created for the Year of the Horse. The headline detail isn’t just the colourway or the limited production run, but the way the brand turns an artistic motif into a moving, mechanical moment: an engraved galloping horse on the watch’s gilt rotor that “runs” as the wrist moves. Limited to 2,026 pieces worldwide, it’s a release designed to sit at the intersection of collectability, giftability, and cultural symbolism.
For Canadian retailers, that combination matters. Lunar New Year purchases often skew toward meaningful colour, commemorative editions, and pieces that can be explained quickly at the counter. This watch gives staff a clean narrative: art, motion, tradition, and a clear limitation number that does the scarcity work for you.
A galloping horse that moves with the wearer
At the centre of this edition is a collaboration with the Peon Art Museum in China, bringing an iconic motif from modern Chinese painter Peon Xu’s Galloping Horse into the watch’s mechanics. Longines has engraved the horse onto the yellow gilt rotor of the movement. Because the rotor swings with wrist motion, the horse appears to surge forward as the watch winds itself, turning a decorative element into something the owner experiences in real time.
The accompanying calligraphy theme, “奔马得势,” is commonly understood as a vivid image of a horse in full stride, gaining momentum. In practical terms, it reinforces what a limited Lunar New Year watch needs to communicate: forward motion, fresh starts, and the sense of a strong year ahead.
The dial: gradient red, built for a season of meaning
Red isn’t just eye-catching; it’s culturally loaded in a way that makes it particularly relevant for Lunar New Year gifting. Longines frames that symbolism with a red sunray-brushed dial and a subtle gradient effect that evokes a sunrise mood without tipping into novelty. The gilt hands and applied indexes keep the overall look anchored in the Master Collection’s dress-watch DNA.
At 6 o’clock, the moonphase display is paired with a date indicator, giving the watch an elevated complication mix that still feels intuitive for everyday wear. For jewellers, moonphase also helps with positioning: it reads as “classic complications” rather than “limited-edition gimmick,” which supports a more premium conversation.
Inside the Longines L899.5 calibre and a 72-hour reserve
Powering the watch is the Longines L899.5 self-winding movement, equipped with a silicon balance-spring and offering up to 72 hours of power reserve. The transparent caseback is where the storytelling lands: the engraved Galloping Horse motif and Peon Xu’s personal seal are set on the gilt rotor, combining visual identity with the functional core of an automatic watch.
For sales staff, this is the simple, high-impact demo: turn the watch, show the rotor, and let the client see the motif move. It’s a tactile hook that works in-store and on camera, which matters more than ever for social-first retail.
Longines and the equestrian world: a natural link
The horse is not a random symbol for Longines. The brand has a long-standing connection to the equestrian world, including timekeeping roles at international competitions dating back to the 19th century. That heritage gives the Year of the Horse theme a second layer: it’s not only about the lunar calendar, but also a nod to a category Longines has authentically inhabited for generations.
That’s useful positioning for jewellers who want to broaden the pitch beyond “seasonal limited edition” into “brand identity continuity,” especially with clients who buy based on heritage and credibility.
Specs at a glance
- Case: 42 mm stainless steel
- Dial: red sunray-brushed with gradient effect
- Complications: moonphase at 6 o’clock with date indicator
- Movement: Longines L899.5 self-winding, silicon balance-spring
- Power reserve: up to 72 hours
- Caseback: transparent, with engraved gilt rotor featuring the galloping horse motif and artist seal
- Strap: black leather with stainless steel folding clasp
- Limited edition: 2,026 pieces worldwide
Retailer angle
This release is well-suited to three proven retail plays:
1) Lunar New Year gifting (January–February merchandising): Red dial, limited quantity, and a clear symbolic story make it an easy premium gift recommendation. Merchandise it near gold-toned jewellery, red-and-gold displays, or “new beginnings” themes.
2) Collector logic: The moving rotor artwork is a legitimate differentiator. Film a short macro video of the caseback in motion; it sells the concept faster than any spec sheet.
3) Dress watch with substance: Moonphase plus a 72-hour reserve is a strong combination for clients who want a classic profile but still care about mechanics.
FAQ
What is the Longines Year of the Horse watch?
A special-edition Longines Master Collection watch created to celebrate the Year of the Horse, featuring a gradient red dial, moonphase, and an engraved galloping-horse motif on the movement’s gilt rotor.
How many pieces are being made?
It is limited to 2,026 pieces worldwide.
What size is the case?
42 mm in stainless steel.
What movement is inside, and what’s the power reserve?
It uses the Longines L899.5 self-winding movement with a silicon balance-spring and offers up to 72 hours of power reserve.
What makes the rotor special?
The gilt rotor is engraved with a galloping horse motif inspired by Peon Xu’s Galloping Horse. As the rotor moves, the horse appears to gallop.
Does it have a moonphase?
Yes. The moonphase sits at 6 o’clock and is paired with a date indicator.
What strap comes with it?
A black leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.
