Lunar New Year 2026 Watches: The Year of the Fire Horse, Told Through Seven Very Different Signatures

In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on 17 February, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse—a zodiac symbol traditionally associated with speed, vitality, independence, and momentum. 

Watchmakers respond in two main ways: either with explicit horse iconography (art dials, engraved rotors, lacquer work), or with coded gestures—a discreet red accent, a lucky character, a limited-series caseback detail. Here’s how seven brands interpret the moment, from accessible pop culture to serious high-complication craft.

Swatch — wearable pop-art, co-created with an artist

Swatch’s “RIDING THE CLOUDS” celebrates the Year of the Horse with a full-coverage illustration: yin–yang horses, clouds and flames as luck/prosperity motifs, designed to read like a modern scroll painting across dial and strap. 

Blancpain — the most “watch-nerd” Lunar New Year: Chinese calendar, enamel, and rarity

Blancpain’s Lunar New Year statement remains the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar—and for 2026 it arrives as a 50-piece limited edition created specifically for the Fire Horse, featuring a salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel dial (a first for the brand in this line). 

IWC — “quiet luxury” zodiac: a refined dial + a horse-shaped rotor

IWC marks the season with the Portugieser Automatic 42 “Year of the Horse”, powered by an in-house calibre with 7-day power reserve, and a standout detail collectors love: a gold-plated oscillating mass shaped like a galloping horse, visible through the sapphire caseback. 

TAG Heuer — sporty symbol-coding in a true “daily” collector piece

TAG Heuer goes celebratory without becoming costume: the Carrera Chronograph “Year of the Horse” (39 mm) leans into a red-and-gold festive palette and positions the Horse as “energy” rather than ornament—an approach that keeps it wearable beyond February. 

Parmigiani Fleurier — the “culture-first” complication: a fully displayed Chinese calendar

Parmigiani Fleurier occupies a unique niche: its TONDA PF Xiali Chinese Calendar is positioned by the brand as a deep cultural horology project—integrating Chinese calendrical information (including solar terms / zodiac cycle elements) into a mechanical display. It’s less about a seasonal red dial, more about respectful permanence. 

Harry Winston — high jewellery codes translated into a zodiac dial

Harry Winston’s approach is signature “House of Diamonds”: the Chinese New Year Automatic 36mm is a limited edition of 8 pieces in 18K rose gold, with a fiery horse rendered in red lacquer and finished with Harry Winston’s diamond glamour.