A powerful expression of the Fire Horse, brought to life through sculpture, symbolism, and precision watchmaking. Vacheron Constantin once again proves why its Chinese Zodiac series stands apart!
Watch Advice’s Year of the Horse Week is beginning, and one of the first to be showcased is Vacheron Constantin’s Year of the Horse edition. Chinese New Year for 2026 officially starts on the 17th of February, and according to the lunar calendar, this is the Year of the Fire Horse. The Fire Horse is known to be rare and powerful, one that comes by every 60 years!
Vacheron Constantin is one brand to keep a close eye on when it comes to timepieces dedicated to the Chinese Zodiac. The brand goes above and beyond, true to their style, in creating watches with amazing detail. The brand has been consistent year in year out in delivering timepieces that convey the Chinese Zodiac in the most artistic sense, all the while presenting it with elegance and luxury.
Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art department has an exclusive series dedicated to the the Chinse Zodiac called ‘The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac’. This series takes an elegant sandwich-style case construction and imbues it with the brand’s incredible Métiers d’Art touch, making timepieces that belong in art museums rather than on wrists!
In 2024, the Maison releases a stunning ‘Year of the Dragon’, with a beautifully detailed three-dimensional figure of a dragon taking centre stage on the dial. Then last year the brand released a duoof ‘Year of the Snake’ timepieces, with the reptile blending in more with the artistic background compared to the previous year.
Now, for the 2026 ‘Year of the Horse’, Vacheron Constantin is going back to the full three-dimensional look with a duo of timepieces showcasing a stunning sculpted horse captured mid-stride. The sculpture perfectly embodies the spirit of the Fire Horse, a symbol of strength, freedom, momentum, and untamed energy, brought to life through meticulous hand-engraving and layered finishing. A powerful visual statement that blends traditional zodiac symbolism with Vacheron Constantin’s mastery of Métiers d’Art.
Case Design
Vacheron Constantin presents the Year of the Horse timepieces in an elegant 40mm case with a thickness of 12.72mm, available in either 5N pink gold or 950 platinum. The case features a sandwich-style construction, with the upper layer forming the bezel, followed by the middle section that incorporates the lugs and crown, while the bottom layer is a screwed-in caseback.
The bezel, case sections, and lugs are finished with a beautiful mirror polish, which elevates the timepiece from an artistic masterpiece to one that truly exudes elegance and luxury. In contrast, the caseback features a horizontal brushed finish, adding depth and a subtle contrast to the polished surfaces.
While both versions are visually captivating in their own right, what stands out to me the most is the 5N pink gold version. The colour of the dial background contrasts beautifully with the sculpted 18K pink gold horse, which, for me, makes the timepiece feel a little more lively and visually engaging when compared to the 950 platinum model.
Dial Design
These Year of the Horse timepieces retain the signature dial layout that makes the Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series so iconic. There are four different apertures positioned at opposite ends of the dial, displaying the time, day, and date. The hours and minutes are shown digitally, with the aperture at 11 o’clock indicating the hours, while the aperture at 1 o’clock displays the minutes.
The date and day displays are shown through apertures positioned towards the lower half of the dial, flanking the time display. The date is indicated at 5 o’clock, while the day appears at 7 o’clock. The layout of these apertures creates a beautifully balanced aesthetic, and what I really like is that the individual discs are colour-matched to their respective sections of the dial. This allows them to blend in seamlessly, while the raised borders of each aperture ensure the displays remain clear and easy to read.
At the centre of the dial sits a three-dimensional sculpted horse, frozen mid-stride. On the pink gold version, the horse appears to surge forward, leaping across a rocky terrain, with bushland in the background and a light blue sky above, creating the impression of the horse charging through a rugged, dust-filled landscape. The miniature painting in the background is created using grand feu enamelling.
For the platinum version, the same visual imagery is presented; however, the horse appears to move through a calmer, more forgiving terrain, with delicate flora in the background. The slightly darker sky adds a sense of depth and atmosphere, giving the scene a more composed and reflective character.
Movement
Sitting inside these latest Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art creations is the Maison’s self-winding Calibre 2460 G4/3. This movement uses a G4 display layout, which features four rotating discs for the hour, minute, day, and date, all shown through apertures on the dial. The movement was specifically developed for these Métiers d’Art masterpieces, as displaying the information digitally through apertures frees up more space on the dial, allowing the artistic work to take centre stage.
The movement is equipped with a centrally mounted oscillating weight designed to efficiently wind the barrel, giving the timepiece a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. It also operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800vph), ensuring a high level of accuracy throughout its power reserve. Another important point is that the movement carries the Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal), a distinction awarded for exceptional finishing, precision, and craftsmanship, and one that is traditionally reserved for the highest tier of Swiss watchmaking.
“Introduced by the Republic and Canton of Geneva in 1886 as the ultimate standard in excellence and an emblem of Geneva’s fine watchmaking expertise, the Poinçon de Genève or Hallmark of Geneva, is synonymous with provenance, quality craftsmanship, and reliability.”
Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal),
Initial Thoughts
Vacheron Constantin’s The Legend of The Chinese Zodiac series is a reminder that these Métiers d’Art timepieces are among the best interpretations of the Chinese Zodiac in the market. These latest Year of the Horse models make a return to fully sculpted three-dimensional figures, which not only have real presence on the wrist, but also elevate the timepieces into true works of horlogical art.
Whether it’s the 5N pink gold model with the sculpted horse mid-stride through the rugged dust-filled landscape, or the platinum version with a richer terrain, each model has been executed with thoughtful consideration, rather than being decorative just for the sake of it.
The mechanics behind the timepiece are also what have allowed the collection to stand out. From seeing all the essential information through four apertures, the Calibre 2460 G4/3 also allows the dial to remain uncluttered, giving an uninterrupted view into the stunning work carried out by the artisans at Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art department. These latest editions to Vacheron Constantin’s Chinese Zodiac series beautifully showcase that art, culture, and horology can co-exist in a way that feels both meaningful and timeless. Timepieces that collectors will continue to admire long after the Year of the Horse has passed!
Reference: Vacheron Constantin – The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac – Year Of The Horse (Ref. 86073/000P-H066)
Specification:
- Dimensions: 40mm x 12.72mm thick
- Case Material: 950 Platinum with polished surfaces
- Dial: 18K gold dial with opaque miniature enamel. 18K gold relief hand-engraved appliques depicting a Horse leaping over a rocky base. Tone-on-tone discs indicate the hours, minutes, days, and date.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water Resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Automatic winding 2460 G4/3 beating at 4Hz and Geneva Seal approved
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Strap: Alligator leather (Dark blue)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: Price On Request.
Availability: Limited to 25 pieces. Available through Vacheron Constantin boutiques, or head online to Vacheron-constantin.com.au to enquire.
Reference: Vacheron Constantin – The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac – Year Of The Horse (Ref. 86073/000R-H067)
Specification:
- Dimensions: 40mm x 12.72mm thick
- Case Material: 5N Pink gold with polished surfaces
- Dial: 18K gold dial with opaque miniature enamel. 18K gold relief hand-engraved appliques depicting a Horse leaping over a rocky base. Tone-on-tone discs indicating the hours, minutes, days and date indicating the hours, minutes, days and date.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water Resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Movement: Automatic winding 2460 G4/3 beating at 4Hz and Geneva Seal approved
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Strap: Alligator leather (brown)