Longines celebrates the Year of the Horse 2026 with a special edition of the Master Collection model with moonphase. A collaboration with Chinese artist Peon Xu.
Press Release details with commentary in italics.
New: Longines Master Year of the Horse
The Longines Master Year of the Horse Ref. L2.919.4.09.2 has a retail of SGD 4,080 inclusive of GST.
Commentary
This is the same watch as the one released for the Year of the Longines Year of the Dragon, released in 2024. For 2025, the watch released was a simpler three hand watch in the Heritage Collection to commemorate the Year of the Snake.. This next lunar year is the Year of the Horse, and they return to the moonphase display with a novelty in the Master Collection. While the Dragon was a collaboration with Zinan Lam, the Horse is a new collaboration with Peon Xu, a modern Chinese painter. The image created of a galloping horse is full of dynamism, symbolising an irresistible force of success.
The red fumé style dial fades to black at the edges is very apt with the red symbolism in Chinese literature. And is a bold looking watch.
The movement is the same Caliber L899 used in the Dragon. This is based on the ETA caliber 31.L91, manufactured exclusively for Longines. The movement is now visible through the sapphire case back. An engraving of the galloping horse by the artist adorns the rotor, while in the Dragon, the watch had a solid case back which displays an engraving of a dragon’s head.
Interestingly, the price has reduced from SGD 4,690 for the Dragon to SGD 4,080 for the Horse. The pricing is even lower than the Snake which had a retail of SGD 4,300. Is Longines, and the Swatch Group revising watch retail prices downwards?
Release information
To celebrate the Year of the Horse, Longines unveils a special edition of its Master Collection: an homage to both the new lunar year and the brand’s enduring bond with the equestrian world. In collaboration with the Peon Art Museum in China, the brand has meticulously engraved the iconic motif from Peon Xu’s celebrated painting Galloping Horse onto the gilt rotor of the calibre. With every movement of the wrist, the horse appears to gallop forward, symbolizing momentum, renewal, and the spirit of freedom and courage. Featuring a striking gradient red dial, the Longines Master Collection Year of the Horse is limited to 2,026 pieces worldwide.
Peon Xu, a renowned modern Chinese painter, revolutionized traditional art by blending Western techniques with Chinese realism. His iconic galloping horses capture both the precision of Western painting and the lyrical vitality of Chinese ink art. For this special edition, Longines partnered with the Peon Art Museum in China, to bring the energy and grace of Galloping Horse to life within its Master Collection. Curated by Qingping Xu, the artist’s son and esteemed calligrapher, the piece continues the family’s artistic legacy.
The key visual depicts a galloping horse set against a dynamic landscape, with golden ripples forming beneath its hooves. Its powerful stance embodies resilience and new beginnings, reflecting the horse’s cultural significance as a symbol of courage, freedom, and pioneering spirit. The accompanying calligraphy “奔马得势” by Qingping Xu, embodies both the artist’s familial heritage and his artistic mastery. The phrase “奔马得势” combines “ 奔马” (galloping horse), representing speed, strength, and forward impulse, with “ 得 势 ” (gaining momentum), denoting seizing a powerful and favourable posture. Together, they express the idea of a horse in full stride, gathering an irresistible force that symbolizes breakthrough and success. This imagery, inspired by the artistic essence of Peon XU’s iconic painting Galloping Horse, conveys an unrestrained spirit of freedom. By embracing this theme, Longines celebrates the Year of the Horse through the vitality, drive and unstoppable momentum that characterise both the year and the brand.
The horse also embodies Longines’ deep-rooted connection with the equestrian world. Since the 19th century, Longines has shared a passion for elegance, tradition and performance with this universe, serving as the official timekeeper of prestigious international competitions. This special edition pays tribute to that enduring bond, uniting the grace and strength of the horse with the brand’s centuries-old watchmaking expertise.
Housed in a 42-mm stainless steel case, it features a red sunray-brushed dial with a subtle gradient, evoking the poetic ambiance of sunrise – an auspicious emblem of new beginnings. Elegantly shaped gilt hands and applied indexes enhance its refined appearance, while a moonphase display at 6 o’clock is framed by a date indicator. The transparent case back reveals the engraved Galloping Horse motif and Peon XU’s personal seal on the yellow gilt rotor, animating the artwork with every wrist movement and uniting mechanical precision with timeless elegance.
The watch is powered by the exclusive Longines L899.5 self-winding movement, equipped with a silicon balance-spring. It offers a power reserve of up to 72 hours.
The Master Collection Year of the Horse is paired with a black leather strap secured by a stainless-steel folding clasp, underscoring its unique character
Longines Master Year of the Horse specifications
REFERENCE NUMBER • L2.919.4.09.2
CALIBRE • Self-winding mechanical movement • Exclusive Longines calibre L899.5 • Silicon balance-spring • 11½ lines, 21 jewels, 25 200 vibrations per hour • 2N yellow gold-coloured oscillating weight with special engraving of a horse, matching indexes and hands • Power reserve: up to 72 hours
FUNCTIONS • Hours, minutes, seconds • Moonphase display with calendar at 6 o’clock L2.919.4.09.2
CASE • ⌀ 42 mm; thickness 11.20 mm • Round shape, stainless steel • Sapphire crystal with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides • Transparent case back with sapphire crystal, special engraving: “YEAR OF THE HORSE – LIMITED EDITION – ONE OF 2026” • Distance lug to lug: 49.70 mm • Distance between lugs: 21 mm
DIAL • Gradient red • 12 gilt 2N applied indexes
HANDS • Gilt 2N polished
WATER-RESISTANCE • Up to 3 bar (30 meters)
STRAP • Black alligator leather with triple safety folding clasp; push-piece opening mechanism
