IWC Schaffhausen have released a new, limited-edition watch in anticipation of the Lunar New Year 2026 – check it out below.
Each year, IWC Schaffhausen create a special watch to mark the occasion and this year sees the watchmaker create a timepiece centred around the next animal in the Chinese zodiac – the horse.
Limited to just 500 pieces, the ‘Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse’ features a stainless steel case and a burgundy dial.
As per a statement from the watchmaker, “In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolises a spirited and uplifting energy and is also seen as the beginning of success and good fortune. The IWC-manufactured 52011 calibre is equipped with a rotor in the shape of a galloping horse, a charming design detail celebrating the vitality of the Lunar New Year.”
It continued: “A symbol of strength, energy and freedom, the horse is seen as a bringer of success and good fortune. People born in a Year of the Horse are said to be active, independent and hardworking. They enjoy being in motion and often show a love for adventure. The Year of the Horse is, therefore, typically associated with progress, the rise of new opportunities and the courage to move forward and pursue new goals in life with confidence.”
The watch features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42 millimetres. The case construction sees a more slender side profile, and box-shaped sapphire crystals on the front and back lends the watch an even more refined and elegant appearance.
The burgundy dial, inspired by the auspicious red tones widely used in Lunar New Year celebrations, features the characteristic and well-balanced Portugieser design.
The characteristic dial layout with the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the power reserve display at 3 o’clock dates back to the first Portugieser Automatic (Ref. 5000) from 2000. Golden hands, Roman numerals and appliques are set against the rich burgundy-coloured dial. An additional detail is the small date window, which has been discreetly placed at the 6 o’clock position
Inside the case, meanwhile, the IWC-manufactured 52011 calibre can be found, complete with its Pellaton winding system. Using movements of the rotor in both directions, it builds up a power reserve of 168 hours (7 days) in two barrels.
A statement adds: “A highlight is the gold-plated rotor, visible through the sapphire glass case back, and crafted in the shape of a galloping horse to pay tribute to the Lunar New Year.”
The Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse is delivered with a choice of two straps: a black alligator leather strap and an additional burgundy alligator leather strap. Both straps can be fitted with the stainless steel folding clasp that is delivered with the watch.
Back in September, IWC Schaffhausen and Ed Sheeran teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind watch which features in the video for the fifth single from his new album PLAY.
The timepiece, which appeared in Sheeran’s latest single, ‘Camera’, is a unique ‘Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar’ with a custom pink dial inspired by the bright pink colour on the album cover.
In the video, Sheeran is accompanied by actress Phoebe Dynevor, star of Bridgerton and the upcoming psychological thriller Anniversary, set to release in October.
The striking pink watch-face is hard to miss but it is most visible after Sheeran proposes to Dynevor (3:09 minutes in).
The video shows them portraying a relationship through clips taken on a phone camera to match the sentiment of the song.
The watch-face isn’t the only unique thing about the video as it is shot entirely vertically as to show their relationship through videos captured through a mobile phone camera.
Like this? Check out: Giorgio Armani: Il Capo and watchmaking and find out about Panerai’s first Edinburgh boutique on iconic Princes Street.
