Magnificent Seven: Watches Honoring the Year of the Fire Horse

February 17, 2026, marks the official start of the Year of the Fire Horse according to the Chinese calendar. Producing watches featuring the symbol of the new year is a well-established tradition in the watch industry. We've reviewed all releases on this theme and selected the most interesting models. The result is a magnificent seven, which is quite symbolic: the horse is the 7th of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Even if you're not a fan of moon phase indicators, perhaps considering them useless, you might find yourself captivated by this watch. The reason is the large mother-of-pearl moon disk at the top of the dial. The moon appears on an aventurine disk, traditionally used by watchmakers to depict the night sky, and glows thanks to luminescent material.

As for the symbol of the year, the horse here is very realistic, with every muscle carefully detailed. The design's highlight is the sparks that the noble animal kicks up with its hooves. Like the moon phase, they are treated with luminescent material and glow impressively in the dark. This model is limited to a series of 8 pieces.

The dazzling luxury of these watches is created through several details. These include the voluminous horse figures that unexpectedly complement the dial's composition with three massive gold bridges, intricate engraving across the entire case, including the back cover, and red enamel that references the element of fire.

Similar models have been released by Girard-Perregaux before, but in this version (combining rose gold with red enamel), the watch looks particularly attractive.

A recent release from Hublot showcased at the LVMH Watch Week in Milan. The watch attracts attention with its 2026 symbol laid out in a carbon mosaic. For sharper contrast with the black dial and carbon case, the mosaic is interwoven with elements of gold-plated brass. This model is limited to a series of 88 pieces.

This model is part of a watch triptych dedicated to the Chinese painter and graphic artist Xu Beihong (1895 - 1953). The watch is presented in a white gold case measuring 45.6 x 27.4 mm. Its front side features a "Crimson Dawn Orange" dial adorned with a classic guilloché pattern. The reverse side serves as a canvas for a reproduction of one of Xu Beihong's works, executed in traditional Chinese ink.

The image is created using the technique of hot enamel. The challenges of this work included the monochrome palette of the composition and conveying the effect of wet ink on paper. This model is limited to a series of 10 pieces.

These watches are positioned as a business calendar and provide visual delight with an incredibly beautiful dial color. In addition to the traditional date, day of the week, and month indicators, there is also a week of the year indicator on the dial. All of this is tastefully executed, without overload, and presented in a classic 43 mm steel case.

The 2026 symbol is creatively integrated into the power reserve indicator. The horse galloping above the indicator points to the maximum power reserve of 10 days, while the one located directly beneath the subdial hints that the power reserve is nearly depleted. The watch is intended to be worn on a horse leather strap. This model is limited to a series of 88 pieces.

The modest-looking TAG Heuer Carrera has a slight vintage vibe. The theme of the Chinese New Year in this watch is played out through a combination of gold and red. The champagne-colored dial is equipped with a set of gold hands and hour markers. On the red 30-minute chronograph counter, you can see gold numbers, and directly opposite is a date indicator with a red background and a gold frame around the perimeter.

It's in the date indicator that the modest symbolism and highlight of this model are hidden. Instead of the number "7," a Chinese character representing the horse is used. The watch is presented in a 39 mm steel case. This model is limited to a series of 250 pieces. Read more about this model in the review.

These watches are part of the new series The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac, launched by Vacheron Constantin in 2024. The highlight of this series is the display of time indications (hours, minutes, date, day of the week) in windows located at the edges of the dial. The restrained dial background with a barely noticeable gradient is executed in the technique of hot enamel. At the center of the composition is a horse figurine, made of white or rose gold, jumping over a rock.

The watch is presented in two versions, with cases made of rose gold or platinum. The limit for each is 25 pieces. Read more about these models in the review.