In Chinese tradition, each year is marked by one of twelve Zodiac animals. When paired with the Five Elements, they form 60 unique combinations that complete a full cycle. 2026 marks the Year of the Horse in conjunction with the Fire element. The horse embodies vitality and independence, while the fire element ignites passion and drive.
In this year of bold innovation and fearless breakthroughs, BALL Watch Company proudly presents the Engineer II Galloping Horse Zodiac Commemorative Timepiece, a creation brimming with blessings and symbolism.
A dial born of tradition.
Drawing inspiration from the Five Elements philosophy in Chinese culture – where elements interact in cycles of creation and transformation – the Fire element nourishes the Earth. Thus, BALL crafted the dial from Tiger’s Eye, a gemstone associated with the Earth element. This design signifies the transformation of fire’s energy into fertile ground that gives rise to all life.
The beauty of Tiger’s Eye.
An emblem of resilience, strength, and courage, Tiger’s Eye is a golden-brown gemstone known for its chatoyancy. This reflective quality creates a cat’s-eye effect that makes the dial appear to shimmer depending on the angle of the light. Crafting a Tiger’s Eye dial is a meticulous process – designed to showcase the stone’s natural beauty while preserving its durability. Every dial features the fascinating interplay of golden-brown hues, subtle stripes and shimmering qualities. No two Tiger’s Eye dials will look exactly alike. Ever.
Dynamic design.
At the heart of the design, a sculpted metallic stallion captures the explosive power of a horse in full gallop – lifelike and commanding, leaping from the wrist. The theme continues with the counterweight of the second hand, which is shaped into the Chinese calligraphic character for “horse” – a refined nod to the theme.
Performance meets elegance.
Beyond artistry, the watch delivers uncompromising functionality. Hour markers and hands are set with bi-color mi-cro gas tubes in green and yellow, offering self-powered illumination. The minute track is coated with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring all-around visibility in low light.
Its 40mm stainless steel case, crafted from 904L steel, offers superior resistance to corrosion, rust, and acids, while maintaining a lustrous finish that withstands the test of time. Powered by a Swiss automatic mechanical movement with three-hand functionality, it meets everyday needs with understated sophistication, allowing the gemstone dial to take center stage. With 100 meters of water resistance and anti-magnetic protection up to 4,800 A/m, the move-ment’s precision is safeguarded against the elements.
Today, more than ever, BALL is continuing its journey and asserting its role as a key protagonist in the exploration of modern time and the evolution of watchmaking history.
About BALL Watch Company
BALL Watch Company is a timekeeping pioneer and celebrated manufacturer of quality, precise and reliable time-pieces since 1891. The company was literally founded by accident. Following a tragic 1891 Kipton, Ohio head-on train collision, American railroad companies appointed Webster Clay Ball "Chief Time Inspector" to supervise newly synchronized timing protocols. This standardized "railroad time" efficiency originated the popular "Be on the Ball" proverb and inspired the future Swiss Society of Chronometry (COSC) which governs the highest watch timing certifi-cation standards today.
About Patrick’s Labs
To provide improvement and even more innovation than in the past, BALL Watch Company established its first spin-off company, Patrick’s Labs. A Research and Development Center, this new division focuses on its domain of expertise by gathering a wide range of knowledge. Patrick’s Labs enables BALL Watch Company to be at the fore-front of research and innovation by introducing technically ground-breaking products and solutions.
Model number
NM9016C-S11-YTE
Movement
Automatic caliber BALL RR1103
Functions
15 micro gas tubes on hour, minute and second hands and dial for night reading capability
Shock resistant to 5,000Gs
Anti-magnetic to 4,800A/m
Water resistant to 100m/330ft
Hours, minutes and sweep seconds
Case
904L stainless steel
Ø 40mm, height 11.5mm
Amortiser® patented anti-shock system
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screwed-in crown
Band
904L stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
Dial
Tiger’s Eye