6 Watch Releases That Capture the “Year of the Fire Horse”
Think, red, gold and painterly reinterpretations of this year’s zodiac sign.
The Lunar New Year is always a major event in the horological calendar, but 2026 marks the return of a particularly powerful zodiac sign: the Fire Horse. Occurring only once every 60 years, the Fire Horse is associated with unbridled energy, passion and speed — themes that naturally resonate with the world of mechanical watchmaking.
Unlike previous years that favored serene or artistic interpretations, the 2026 lineup leans heavily into dynamism. From high-complication tributes featuring galloping automata to racing chronographs that channel the “horsepower” of the automotive world, watch Maisons are interpreting the zodiac’s energetic spirit with aggressive materials and bold red hues. Below, we’ve curated a list of timepieces from six different watch brands that best define and celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso “Horse” & Tribute Enamel “Xu Beihong”
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
Jaeger-Lecoultre
From Jaeger‑LeCoultre come two distinct expressions of the Reverso Tribute Enamel, each honoring the gallant beauty of this year’s zodiac animal. The first is the Maison’s official Year of the Horse timepiece. Its front showcases the same pristine, jet‑black Grand Feu enamel dial seen in previous festive editions, while the reverse transforms into a sculptural canvas. Here, the “Fire Horse” emerges through a fully hand‑engraved volumetric silhouette that appears to leap from the pink gold case. To heighten the sense of energy, engravers employed a “trampling” technique, creating a textured background that evokes sparks and the vitality of the fire element, set against the polished dynamism of the horse itself.
The second release features a trio of exquisite designs — a high-art tribute to the legendary Chinese painter Xu Beihong, renowned for his ink-wash masterpieces. On the caseback of this 18k pink gold model, the Maison’s master enamellers have reproduced one of Xu’s iconic “Galloping Horse” paintings using the technique of miniature Grand Feu enamel. The challenge here lies in the monochromatic palette; achieving the depth, fluidity, and “wet” look of traditional ink on paper requires layers of translucent and opaque enamels, fired repeatedly to capture the horse’s muscular tension in motion. Both models are powered by the hand-wound Calibre 822, serving as portable canvases that bridge the gap between 20th-century Chinese art and 21st-century Swiss craftsmanship.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 Year of the Horse
Iwc
Iwc
IWC takes a classic approach with the Portugieser Automatic 40 Edition “Year of the Horse,” leaning into the “Fire” element with a striking burgundy dial. The deep red hue, finished with a sunray brush, contrasts sharply against the 18k gold-plated hands and appliques, creating a look that is festive without being gaudy. Housed in a compact 40.4mm stainless steel case, it retains the clean, legible layout that has made the Portugieser a staple of the brand’s catalog.
The real tribute, however, lies on the reverse side. Through the sapphire caseback, the Pellaton winding system is driven by a unique gold-plated oscillating weight shaped in the form of a prancing horse. This kinetic detail transforms the movement of the wearer’s wrist into the “gallop” of the animal, powering the in-house 82200 caliber and its 60-hour power reserve.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Fire Horse
Tag Heuer
Tag Heuer
Tag Heuer
Tag Heuer
There is perhaps no fitter canvas for the Year of the Horse than a collection born from racing. For 2026, TAG Heuer taps into the “Fire” element with a 39mm Carrera Glassbox edition that feels distinctively vintage yet aggressive. Deviating from the standard tricompax layout, this limited edition adopts the “Dato” configuration, featuring a single date window at 9 o’clock. In a clever nod to the zodiac, the date wheel’s numeral “7” has been replaced by the Chinese character for Horse (“马”) — marking the animal’s seventh position in the cycle.
The dial itself is a sunray-brushed champagne gold, contrasted heavily by a “fiery” red 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a matching red lacquered central seconds hand. It is powered by the in-house Calibre TH20-07, visible through a sapphire caseback that features a printed galloping horse motif. Paired with a steel seven-row “beads-of-rice” bracelet, the watch is limited to just 250 pieces, blending the elegance of mid-century Heuer with the high-octane energy of the new year.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Horse
Hublot
Hublot
Hublot
Hublot approaches the zodiac with its signature fusion of industrial materials and complex artistry. The Spirit of Big Bang “Year of the Horse” features a 42mm barrel-shaped case crafted from Frosted Carbon, a material chosen for its chaotic, energetic texture, which mirrors the untamed nature of the Fire Horse.
The dial is a technical marvel of marquetry, constructed from hundreds of individual shards of carbon fiber and gold to form the 3D profile of a horse’s head. Unlike traditional painting, this structural approach gives the animal a raw, modern presence. Limited to just 88 pieces, the watch is powered by the HUB1710 self-winding movement, proving that Hublot remains the industry leader in making traditional iconography feel radically contemporary.
Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Horse
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin returns with its annual masterpiece, the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Horse. Available in platinum or pink gold, the timepiece eschews traditional hands in favor of four trailing apertures that display the hours, minutes, day, and date. This layout clears the center of the dial for the main event: a hand-engraved, solid gold horse captured mid-leap.
The background is a work of Grand Feu enamel, depicting a bamboo forest motif that adds depth and context to the sculpture. The “Fire Horse” is brought to life through the dynamism of the engraving; the muscles and mane are etched with microscopic precision to suggest movement. Powered by the Calibre 2460 G4, it stands as the most traditional haute horlogerie offering of the group, focusing heavily on the preservation of decorative crafts.
Breitling Top Time B01 “Shadow Rider”
Breitling
Breitling
Breitling
Breitling
Breitling
Breitling enters the Lunar New Year conversation with the Top Time B01 “Shadow Rider,” a 288-piece limited edition that blends the zodiac with muscle car culture. A spiritual successor to the brand’s Ford Mustang collaborations, the “Shadow Rider” features a 38mm stainless steel case – a rare, vintage-accurate size for the line – paired with a brooding black dial and tonal chronograph counters.
While not an overt “zodiac” watch in the traditional sense, the piece pays homage to the horse through the Mustang emblem on the dial and a special caseback engraving of a galloping steed in silhouette. It captures the “freedom” associated with the horse sign, packaged in a retro-racing aesthetic. Powered by the Manufacture Calibre 01, it is a clever, unconventional choice for collectors who want to celebrate the year without wearing a traditional dress watch.
