Horse in Motion — 2026 Year of the Horse Limited-Edition Concrete Automatic Watch

Created for the Year of the Horse, this limited edition embodies momentum, strength, and the spirit of charging forward. A symbol of drive and bold progress, it is designed to mark 2026 with powerful energy and fearless ambition.

22STUDIO X Bito

Bito is an internationally acclaimed Taipei-based creative studio and one of Asia’s
most recognized names in motion design. The studio has received major honors from D&AD, ADC, Red Dot, and iF, while its work has helped define the visual identity of some of Taiwan’s most prominent cultural events and public-facing projects.

For this collaboration, 22STUDIO and Bito created a Year of the Horse limited-edition Concrete Automatic Watch. Below, we take a closer look at its design details, one by one.

A Horse in Time, Forever in Motion

Bito Creative Director Keng-Ming Liu has long been fascinated by architecture and the interweaving of space. Layered structures, changing planes, and spatial rhythm shape a visual language that suggests endless motion.


For the Year of the Horse edition, that design language is reinterpreted through layered, stair-like structures that turn the horse into a bold geometric form. Defined by sharp planes and rhythmic contours, the dial captures the tension of a galloping body in motion. Within its concentric composition, shifting sections echo both the traces of time and the powerful silhouette of the horse itself.

The First Horse in Moving Image History

As a leading force in motion design, Bito began this collaboration with a fitting
point of reference: the first horse in the history of moving image.

In 1878, Eadweard Muybridge captured a running horse through a sequence of
photographs using multiple cameras—an early experiment in recording motion
through still images. This method, later known as chrono photography, broke
movement into a series of frozen moments and helped lay the foundation for the
logic of cinema.

A Frame-by-Frame Display Set

Bito created a dedicated display set for the Year of the Horse edition, inspired by the visual logic of early animation devices such as the Phenakistoscope. By arranging the horse’s movement frame by frame in a circular sequence, the display transforms still images into a vivid sense of motion.

Hidden within this loop is a creative code of its own: a running horse, a pencil that marks the act of drawing, and finally a unicorn—transformed by the horn of inspiration. With each turn, the sequence becomes more than a visual illusion; it reveals the very process through which an idea is born.

  • A Split Second of Inspiration: The Unicorn Easter Egg

    We have always used Super-LumiNova® by LumiNova AG Switzerland, valued for its excellent chemical stability and long-lasting luminosity, to ensure clear legibility even in low light.

    For the 2026 Year of the Horse edition, a triangular lume detail is added to the
    tip of the seconds hand, glowing subtly in the dark. Hidden within this design
    is a small Easter egg for those who look closely: when the seconds hand passes
    over the horse’s head on the dial, the lines briefly align, making it appear as
    if the horse has grown a luminous horn. For a single second, it transforms into
    a unicorn.

    In the gallop of time, inspiration can arrive just like that—suddenly, in a flash

  • “26”on the Date Wheel: A Code for Inspiration

    The number 26 on the date wheel is replaced with a small orange pencil. For
    most people, the pencil is one of the most familiar tools of creation—the first
    thing to catch an idea.

    For Bito, a pencil mark represents one of the purest and most direct traces of
    creativity. In this 2026 commemorative edition, we gave the pencil a symbolic
    role: a sign of inspiration. Replacing the number 26 on the date wheel, it becomes a hidden signature unique to this watch.

4D Concrete Automatic Horse Edition: Specifications

A New Size, A New Era for the Concrete Watch

To make the watch better suited to everyday wear, we completely redesigned the 4D Concrete Automatic from the inside out. The case diameter has been reduced from 45mm to 43mm, while the case thickness has been refined from 14.5mm to 12.5mm. Including the crystal, the overall thickness is now 14.5mm. While preserving the spatial character of the 4D series, the new proportions significantly improve wearing comfort.

High-End Japanese Miyota 9015 Automatic Movement

To achieve a sleeker overall design, we utilized the high-end Miyota 9015 movement. It is 0.7mm thinner than our previous movements (reduced from 4.6mm to 3.9mm), and highly regarded in the industry for its stability and precision, offering a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

For this edition, we have also customized a 22STUDIO exclusive rotor, further elevating the mechanical aesthetic.

Hand-Castin house: Exclusive Sustainable Concrete Dials

Fair-faced concrete is the ultimate expression of cement craftsmanship. To achieve that raw, mesmerizing texture, we rely on precise molds and expert execution. Every 22STUDIO dial is hand-cast at our HQ in Taipei.

The Horse Edition has 6 interlocking concrete components layered together with exceptional precision. With a strict 0.15mm tolerance, combined with the
varying shrinkage rates of colored concrete, the challenge goes far beyond
casting alone. Each concrete pieces must be bonded with exact accuracy, then fitted with a magnifying lens and luminous hour markers. For our team, it
became yet another demanding test of craft and execution.

For us, "a new product always comes with a new challenge." This mindset
is in our DNA. We simply step up and meet the challenge.

Box-shaped Sapphire Crystal 

All 22STUDIO watches feature sapphire crystal, a material second only to diamond in hardness and highly resistant to scratches, ensuring the watch maintains its clarity and beauty over time.

For this model, we specially selected a dual-domed, box-shaped sapphire crystal, which allows the case to be further slimmed down. At the same time, the refraction and reflection produced by its geometry add a dynamic depth to the watch from every angle, dramatically transforming the overall character of it — a detail we found ourselves completely enamored with.

Super-LumiNova® Luminous Hands and Three-Dimensional Hour Markers

All 22STUDIO timepieces feature Swiss-made Super-LumiNova® from LumiNova AG Switzerland, known for its exceptional chemical stability and high luminosity, ensuring clear readability even in the darkest environments.

The watch employs CNC-machined metal hour markers infused with Super-LumiNova®. Measuring just 3.9 × 1 × 0.8mm, these miniature markers must be precisely embedded into the concrete dial, a process that demands extreme precision in both mold release and alignment.

Well-Shaped Date Window with Inset Magnifier

Another 22STUDIO original design. We utilized the interior space created by the spiral staircase dial to design a "well-shaped" date window. Instead of bonding the date magnifier to the top glass, we installed it at the upper edge of the "well." This provides a clear date display while adding a rich, playful visual layer to the dial.

Crown Guard Design

The crown guard design features a CNC-machined recess around the crown, secured with a guard bridge to create a protective barrier. This reduces the risk of direct impact to the crown, extending the watch's lifespan and providing peace of mind during vigorous activities. This craftsmanship detail also infuses the design with a sporty soul and mechanical beauty.

Proprietary Strap Curvature Fixer

A signature 22STUDIO innovation, the Curvature Fixer is designed to help
the leather strap maintain a natural oval shape—one that more closely follows
the wrist’s cross-section. We discovered that this geometry is key to wearing
comfort. By holding the strap and watch case in a more balanced position, it creates a fit that feels more stable, refined, and comfortable throughout the day.

4D Concrete Automatic Horse Edition Collection

Neon: Color Awakens Like Animation

The dial is constructed from six individual fair-faced concrete components, each in a different color, brought together in a geometric composition that feels like stepping into an imagined animated world—light, playful, and full of movement.
This layered construction gives the dial its distinctive rhythm, depth, and vibrancy.

The faceted polished stainless steel case, paired with glossy silver hands and indexes, catches the light from different angles to express a modern style that is precise, bold, and confidently refined. For this edition, an orange seconds hand in Bito’s signature color is added as a special detail, while the triangular lume tip shifts in character between daylight and darkness. A black
vegetable-tanned leather strap brings the composition back into focus, giving
the vibrant palette a sharper, more disciplined finish.

Golden Horse: A Modern Expression of Quiet Brilliance

The dial is constructed from three distinct elements: black concrete, blue
concrete, and a precision-machined metal horse set at the center. The layered composition creates depth and contrast, while the horse—crafted in aluminum with a refined golden-bronze tone—adds a subtle metallic glow. For the first time, 22STUDIO introduces full aluminum CNC craftsmanship to the dial, with the horse precisely shaped on a high-precision five-axis CNC system.

Paired with a dark grey PVD stainless steel case, matte black hands and indexes, and a brown vegetable-tanned leather strap, the watch presents a modern style that feels refined, understated, and quietly distinctive.

Sustainable Packaging: Honest and Solid

In our commitment to environmental protection, 22STUDIO packaging is made almost entirely of paper, showcasing the raw character of the material. The outer sleeve is made of thick grey cardboard with half-cut folds. The inner layers consist of shock-absorbing recycled corrugated paper pulp. The watch is placed in an exclusive dust bag before being housed in the box.

Each Year of the Horse concrete automatic watch comes with a dedicated display set, including a concrete base engraved with the edition and limited serial number, along with a custom display backboard.

U.S. Shipping & Local Support

To provide a seamless ownership experience for our U.S. clients, we have localized our distribution and support for the 4D Concrete Automatic - DUO.

  • All-Inclusive Pricing: The price you see covers all international customs duties, import taxes, and domestic shipping. No hidden fees or unexpected customs delays.
  • Secure Local Delivery: Each timepiece is handcrafted in Taipei and then pre-shipped to our team in the U.S. for final domestic dispatch. Please note that this two-stage process may take slightly longer, but it ensures your watch arrives safely and reliably.
  • U.S. Based Support: With our colleagues now on the ground in the U.S., you have access to local warranty and maintenance services, providing long-term peace of mind for your timepiece.

    Specifications & Warranty

    Watch Specifications:

    Japanese MIYOTA 9015 Automatic Movement, 42-hour power reserve, 316L stainless steel case, magnified date window, high-density cement dial, Super LumiNova® luminous 3D hour markers, Super LumiNova® luminous 3D hands, sapphire crystal and transparent case back, crown guard with pull-out crown, 5 ATM water resistance, pin buckle strap.


    Dimensions:

    Case: 43mm diameter (46mm incl. crown), 12.5 thickness (14.5mm incl. crystal)
    Weight: ~90g (steel); ~95g (bronze)
    Crown: 7.2mm diameter
    Strap: 20mm width; 85/125mm length (fits wrist 140–185mm)

    Warranty

    2-year factory warranty: free repairs for non-accidental movement failures
    Lifetime repair support: ongoing parts & service support
    (*Warranty does not cover damage from impact, magnetism, or routine service such as oiling.)