In 2005, one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers (established in 1832) decided to put out arguably its most elegant timepiece ever. The Master Collection showed that Longines was more than just an affordable luxury brand deeply rooted in heritage and traditional sports watches. Their Moonphase model launched that same year as the brand’s first in the category.
Twenty years later, the Master Collection Moonphase is still one of Longines’ finest, and now it gets a fun yet sophisticated new variant to honor the Chinese calendar’s Year of the Horse in 2026.
A Natural Partnership
If any Swiss watchmaker deserves to celebrate the Year of the Horse, it’s Longines. The brand’s relationship with equestrian sports goes back to the late 1800s — they’ve been official timekeepers for the Kentucky Derby and countless prestigious racing events worldwide.
This limited edition of 2,026 pieces transforms the standard Master Collection Moonphase into something bolder. The sunray-brushed red dial features a dramatic gradient, fading bright scarlet in the center to near-black at the edges. It’s a departure from the typically understated silver and blue dials on regular models. Paired with gilt applied indices and matching leaf-shaped hands, the red-and-gold scheme taps into traditional Chinese symbolism around prosperity. The moonphase complication sits at 6 o’clock with an integrated pointer date, where a golden moon travels across a starry blue backdrop.
Where Art Meets Movement
For the movement, Longines partnered with China’s Peon Art Museum to recreate artist Xu Beihong’s famous “Galloping Horse” painting on the in-house caliber’s gilt rotor. Xu was pivotal in modern Chinese art, blending traditional ink techniques with Western realism to capture horses in motion. His son, Qingping Xu, contributed calligraphy to the rotor as well.
When the rotor spins to wind the mainspring, the engraved horse appears to gallop. It’s a literal a kinetic sculpture inside your watch.
The 42mm stainless steel case houses the Caliber L899.5, an automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve and silicon balance spring for improved magnetic resistance. Lastly, the watch comes with a black alligator leather strap with a triple-folding clasp.
Spec Sheet
Model: Master Collection Moonphase Year of the Horse
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 42mm
Case Thickness: 11.2mm
Movement: Longines Caliber L899.5 automatic
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Water Resistance: 30m
Dial: Red sunray-brushed with gradient effect, gilt applied indices
Complication: Moonphase with pointer date at 6 o’clock
Strap: Black alligator leather with steel triple-folding clasp
Limited Edition: 2,026 pieces
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 2,026 pieces globally, the Longines Master Collection Moonphase Year of the Horse is available now through authorized retailers and Longines boutiques for $3,400 — a $300 premium over the standard 42mm Master Collection Moonphase.
Recap
Longines Master Collection Moonphase Year of the Horse 2026
Longines is celebrating 2026’s Year of the Horse with a limited edition Master Collection Moonphase that features a bold red gradient dial and an engraved rotor showcasing Chinese artist Xu Beihong’s famous Galloping Horse painting — a natural fit given the brand’s deep ties to equestrian sports dating back to the 1800s.
