The LONGINES brand: elegance, tradition and performance

The watchmaking counter of Saint-Imier, founded by Auguste Agassiz, brother of the famous naturalist Louis Agassiz, and two associates manufactures and markets pocket-time guards, equipped with encounter-wheel escapements, quite similar to those produced by the Swiss watch industry as a whole.

 

Agassiz is left alone in the direction of the counter. Through his family contacts in the United States, the company has a brilliant international career, including

 

Arrival of Ernest Francillon, nephew of Auguste Agassiz, in Saint-Imier. This training economist gradually takes the reins of the family business.

 

The factory of the Longines, located at Saint-Imier on the place-says Es Longines (the " Elongated meadows) Was inaugurated in 1867 by Ernest Francillon and produced his first movement, the 20A. This 20-line gauge is equipped with an anchor exhaust and a lift and uplift device at the same time. This achievement was rewarded at the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1867.

 

Jacques David, technical director of Longines, travels to the United States on the occasion of the Universal Exposition, held in Philadelphia, as a delegate of the Société intercantonale des industries du Jura. The report he presents on his return is generally seen as the detonator of the processes of industrialization of Swiss watchmaking, which was still based on a system of production governed by the arrangements for the organisation of the establishment. Longines, thanks to Francillon's intuition and David's efforts, was a pioneer in the mechanization of production.

 

Longines produced, thanks to new mechanical processes, a simple chronograph movement, the 20H gauge, patented by the watchmaker Alfred Lugrin. This is the first time that Longines made in terms of timing and measurement of time, areas where the brand became intensely invested by the end of the 19th century.

 

The oldest known advertisements touting the products of the winged hourglass mark relate to hippic sport. The Lugrin single-night patent chronograph holds the star. It has to be imagined that the first Longines chronographs sold on the United States floor serve not only to the bettors to make their choice and to the spectators on the graders of the racetracks, but also to all the players in the world of the horse, such as those interested in the purchase of future champions, the horsemen in search of performance, the haras and the rides. In 1886, Longines team the majority of New York sports judges.

 

After laying the foundations of a production that mobilizes the machine tool, Longines engages in the high precision setting and produces its first certified stopwatch movement, the size 21.59. It is derived, with adaptations favouring the regularity of the walk, of a caliber developed in 1878.

 

Francillon takes protective measures for his company. As early as 1880, the brand was deposited in the Federal Office of Intellectual Property, while the logotype was introduced in 1889. In 1893, they received worldwide protection with a deposit at the International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property, the forerunner of WIPO. Longines is thus the oldest still in operation filed, without modifications, at WIPO.

 

Longines was for the first time linked to the world of exploration when it team Prince Louis-Amédée of Savoy, Duke of Abruzzi, in his expedition to the conquest of the North Pole.

 

Longines won the Grand Prix at the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1900 with a pocket watch called " The Renommée ", containing the size 21.59 chronometer. The brand is also the home that will win the highest number of Grand Prix events at these events.

The first electromechanical sports timing system, based on the cut wire system, is used at the Federal Gymnastics Feast in Basel.

 

Longines developed its first class for chronograph-a single-evening bracelet, the 13,33Z. This high quality movement, 29.00 mm in diameter, is equipped with a 30 minute instantaneous meter and measures the time with a precision at 1/5th of a second.

 

The house starts the development of shape movements and markets a range of oval or rectangular calibres equipped with bracelets.

 

Longines is named official supplier of the International Aeronautical Federation. Longines developed especially high accuracy and high reliability navigation instruments for the use of aircraft and chronometer makers, notably through the director of Longines in the United States, John P. V. Heinmuller, the records established by these adventurers.

 

Pte P. Van Horn Weems of the U.S. Navy develops the " Weems System of Navigation ", a series of navigation devices, on the basis of which, with Longines, he develops a rotating disc watch allowing the user to synchronize the needle of seconds with a GMT signal, essential to navigation: the Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch. A patent was filed for this timekeeping in 1935.

 

After completing the crossing of the North Atlantic in solitary and non-stop, in 1927, the pilot Charles A. Lindbergh imagined a navigation instrument which he entrusted to Longines. Used in conjunction with a sextant and a nautical almanac, the Lindbergh watch at Angle Horaire-based on the Weems model created in 1927-makes it easier for airmen to calculate the longitude that, with the latitude, gives them their exact geographical position.

 

The factory creates a gauge for chronograph-legendary bracelet, the 13ZN, produced in various versions, with one or two pushers, with semi-instantaneous meter of 30 minutes or meter trailing 60 minutes. For this calibre, one of the most remarkable in its history, Longines filed a patent.

 

Longines, based on a 24-line gauge, develops mechanical timing equipment, including a chronograph equipped with a 30-minute semi-instantaneous meter and a catch-up, a semi-instantaneous sports meter with or without catching up, as well as another accurate meter at 1/100th of second.

 

Longines launches its first automatic winding movement, the 22A calibre, patented. The development of this prototype is a major challenge for the house, which for the first time adapts the new uplift technology to large-scale production.

The technical office is developing a new manual reassembling movement with a chronograph device, the 30CH.

1954

Longines developed its first quartz clock, which quickly established a new and impressive set of precision records at the Observatory of Neuchâtel. The timing instrument " Chronocinins " Includes a 16 mm camera coupled to a quartz clock. It provides judges with a videotape that includes a series of 1/100th of second films allowing them to track the athletes' movement at the time they cross the finish line.

Longines launched the first Conquest collection, thus inaugurating a new product development strategy incorporating the concept of line or family of models.

             1957              

After Conquest, the elegant Flagship collection is marketed, with its distinctive medallion representing a caravel engraved on the bottom of the housing.

            1959            

Longines develops a caliber specifically for observatories competitions: the 360. The generous size of the rectangular motion welcomes a large spring of barillet and allows the use of an ample balancer pair spiral, oscillating at a frequency of 36 ' 000 alternations per hour, for more precision. The 360 calibre establishes records of accuracy in the category of chronometers-bracelets at the Observatory of Neuchâtel.

1963

To evaluate the options offered by technologies that go beyond traditional watchmaking, Longines designs an electromechanical gauge, intended for the observatory competitions, powered by a mercury pile of 1.35V, the L400 movement.

             1964            

Thanks to the Chronocinins (a chronometer instrument created by the company in 1954), Longines chronometer Donald Campbell on board his Bluebird II when crossing at all speed Eyre Lake in Australia in order to set a world record of speed on land at 648.565 km/h.            

         1965          

The technologies of electronics and quartz are the object of research that allows Longines to develop an electronic quartz movement, the 800 gauge, which team of flight chronometers. This time measurement equipment opens a gap to a new precision. This chronometer downgrades records obtained by mechanical devices in observatories.

              1967                

Longines has a gauge of 11 ½ lines with automatic winding, aiming to offer an alternative to electronics and quartz used by competition. Gage of precision, the regulating body of movement L430, having the characteristics of the pieces of competition, vibrates at a frequency of 36 ' 000 alternations per hour. The collection "Ultra-Chron" is dedicated to him.

1969

The Very Confidential " Saber project " Ambitionning the development and manufacture of a quartz watch saw its epilogue in 1969 when Longines presented the first world-class quartz-wristwatch, the L6512, called Ultra-Quartz.

1972

Conducted in collaboration with Ebauche SA and Texas Instrument Incorporated, the watch " LCD Longines " (Liquid Crystal Display), unlike other parts of the brand, has a digital display with a liquid crystal display. She is awarded the IR100 (Annual Industrial Research Conference and Awards).

Longines asks the artist Serge Manzon to create a line of watches that stands out from his classic collections. The brand seeks a talented stylist who can forget that he has never seen a wristwatch; able to transform a belt buckle into a box of watch ... It emanates from soft, pure and soft forms-sculptures in silver as aesthetic as contemporary.

1975

The brand of Saint-Imier is rewarded for a timekeeping called " Cleopâtra " Inspired by oriental lines on a type bracelet " Slave ". This achievement was rewarded by a Golden Rose from Baden-Baden.

1977

The manufacturer develops a mechanical gauge, the L990, with automatic winding provided with two notes placed on the same plane. At a height of 2.95 mm, it is the most flat automatic movement in the world in its category. It reinforces the range of mechanical movements Longines at a time when quartz is required for many watch manufacturers.

 

1979

Longines has a quartz watch of 1.98 mm thick. First time to pass under the 2 mm bar, its extremely fine gauge responds to the development of a specific technology. Known as the Gold Leaf, this watch is a technical feat.

1982

The brand with winged hourglass launches the Agassiz line in 18 carat gold, the classic ultra-flat watches which will lead to the development of the Grande Classique de Longines, an emblematic collection for immediate success and never denied.

Having signed a technical partnership agreement with the Formula 1 teams of Ferrari and later Renault, Longines became the official timekeeper for the F1 races for a period of 10 years.

1983

Longines is integrated with the SMH (Société suisse de Microelectronics et d' Horlogerie), now renamed Swatch Group, the world leader in the manufacturers of horlogers and founded by Nicolas G. Hayek.

1984

The house launches the calibre 276 VHP (Very High Precision), a very high-precision quartz movement with a technology that jugules the effects of temperature variations. This movement teams the watches of the Conquest collection

1985

Longines is named official timekeeper for all rhythmic and artistic gymnastics competitions organized by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

1992

In order to celebrate the 160th anniversary of its history and the 125 years of use of its brand and logo, Nicolas G. Hayek, founder and chairman of Swatch Group, and Walter von Känel, president of Longines, inaugurate the Longines Museum at the company's headquarters in Saint-Imier, with a room tracing the course of the company.

1997

Longines creates the Longines DolceVita collection, a line to contemporary aesthetics meeting a great success thanks to its modern reading of watchmaking elegance. This range has been a great success for young audiences and pays particular attention to women's wrists.

1999

The slogan " Elegance is an attitude " (Elegance is an attitude) is adopted. He refers to Longines's attention to elegance in all things, acts and behaviors, not just appearance.

2003

Longines created the Longines evidenza collection, of the barrel-shaped watches, which showed the affirmation of elegance borrowing its style from tradition.

2005

As the world trend reverted to a preference for mechanical movements, Longines introduced a collection designed to perpetuate its long tradition of watchmaking. The Longines Master Collection is composed entirely of models equipped with mechanical movements, automatic for most or manual reassembly.

2007

Launch of the Longines Sport Collection specially developed to perpetuate the ability of the brand to produce timepieces especially for sportsmen and to satisfy their special needs, without sacrificing the elegant. The collection consists of four different lines: HydroConquest, Conquest, Speed and Admiral.Longines presents The Longines Master Collection Retrograde, of the timekeeping to the end of the range dedicated to the watchmaking tradition. Two versions of an automatic rewinding movement with retrograde functions have been developed specifically for these watches. Longines is named the official partner and timekeeper of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, and again Alpine Skiing competitions organised by the International Ski Federation. Longines' first engagement in the timing of ski competitions dates back to 1933, in Chamonix.

2009

Cognizant of the fact that his latest developments somewhat neglected the women's wrists, Longines fills this gap by launching the Longines PrimaLuna collection entirely dedicated to women.

Longines presents The Longines Master Collection Retrograde, of the timekeeping to the end of the range dedicated to the watchmaking tradition. Two versions of an automatic rewinding movement with retrograde functions have been developed specifically for these watches. Longines is named the official partner and timekeeper of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, and again Alpine Skiing competitions organised by the International Ski Federation. Longines' first engagement in the timing of ski competitions dates back to 1933, in Chamonix.

2010

Longines presents a new chronograph motion with a column-wheel, the L688. This prestigious automatic winding-up, including the watches of the Longines Saint-Imier Collection, has been in operation since 2012.

2011

Longines presents the model Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moonphase. It is equipped with the L707 movement (exclusive Longines) showing 4 retrograde functions (day, date, second, 24-hour scale), the phases of the moon and a day/night indicator.Having signed a long-term partnership with France Galop, Longines has the privilege of becoming for the first time the partner for the Prix de Diane Longines on the Chantilly hippodrome. Among the prestigious hippiques for which Longines is now the timekeeper, we can mention: Royal Ascot, Melbourne Cup Carnival, Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup.In 2012, more than 40 events are recorded in the Longines calendar.

2012

Launch of the Longines Saint-Imier Collection, a tribute to the city that saw the birth of the company and in which the company is still implanted today. This collection consists of watches mues by some of the most prestigious mechanical calibers of the brand and is inspired by its inheritance of watchmaking know-how and its roots. A collection that remains faithful to the values of Longines: tradition, elegance, quality and precision.Launch of the L788 calibre, an exclusive column-wheel movement developed for Longines and which allows to control the different functions of the chronograph, walking, stopping and remitting to zero, by simple pressure of the monopoussoir integrated into the crown. It is based on the first movement for chronograph-bracelet produced by Longines, in 1913: the size 13.33Z. The pilot watch The Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7, which is inspired by models developed in the 1930s, is, for example, animated by this movement.

The Longines Museum is completely transformed into the company's 180-year history. All the spaces have been rethought and offer its visitors a modern and interactive structure presenting a scenographic coherence to embrace the different aspects of the history of the brand.

2013

The FEI and Longines formalise a partnership that sees the watchmaking brand becoming the first " Top Partner " EIF (International Equestrian Federation). The President of the FEI, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya, and Mrs. Nayla Hayek, Chair of the Swatch Group's Board of Directors, are the joint signatories of the contract. Longines becomes the Official Timekeeper and the Official Monster of the FEI.On June 16, 2013, at Chantilly, the Fédération Internationale des Autorités Hippiques de Racing au Galop (FIAH) and Longines announced the signature of a long-term partnership, in the presence of Louis Romanet, President of the International Federation of Hippiques Authorities and Walter von Känel, President of Longines.Under the terms of this agreement, Longines became the Official Partner and the Official Montre of the International Federation of Hippiques Authorities.

Introduction of the new Conquest Classic collection, which is in line with the classic aesthetic collections that have made Longines's reputation and success worldwide. With a diameter of 41 mm, the chronographs are equipped with the L688 Wheel movement developed and directed by ETA exclusively for Longines. The illustrated model, reference L2.788.8.76.3, has an 18-carat pink gold box and an alligator bracelet. Longines completes the HydroConquest collection, a diving watch par excellence, new high color models. The secured funds and crowns and the laterals of the crown provide them with a seal of up to 30 bars. For maximum dive safety, they are equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel, in red, black or blue, with Super-LumiNova ® coated needles for an optimal reading in all conditions and a bracelet with fermoir with double safety and extension of diving. Forte of a rich history, notably illustrated by the high facts of the first aviators, Longines presents /watches/heritage-collection$The Longines Avigation Oversize Crown$, a part which is part of the specialty of the aviation watch conditioned by the needs of the pilots. Equipped with automatic winding movements, it is decayed into three steel versions. At the simple version (hour, minute, second, date) is added a model with a second time zone and a one-night chronograph, equipped with the exclusive movement L788.Longines, in collaboration with the International Federation of Hippique Racing Authorities (FIAH), presents for the first time the ceremony of the Longines World's Best Racehorse, which rewards the best horses of the year.

2014

On the occasion of the year of the horse, Longines launched a pink gold pocket watch: the Longines Equestrian Lépine. The background of this exceptional piece is adorned with a horse jumping over a hedge, a model based on a Lépine pocket watch dating from 1927 at the Longines museum in Saint-Imier (canton of Bern).Longines is Official Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Monster of Glasgow 2014. The brand's commitment dates back to 1962, where Longines was a Chronometer of the event in Perth, Australia. The 20th Commonwealth Games featured 17 sports over 11 days of competition.

The elegance, a value inherent in Longines, inspired the creation of The Longines Elegant Collection in 2014, models that perfectly represent the classicism and sobriety specific to the brand. Available in three sizes and equipped with mechanical movements, these pieces offer a wide variety of cadrans, each personifying its definition of elegant Longines, in collaboration with the International Federation of Hippiques of Galop races (FIAH), presents for the first time the award of the Longines World's Best Jockey to the jockey who achieved the best performances of the year.

2015

Longines today unveils the Longines Positioning System (LPS), a major technological advance in the timing and tracking of horse racing. This system provides instantaneous data on the exact position of the horses during a race, their classification, the distance between them and their speed. It provides up to 5 cm accuracy and offers up to 1,000 measurements per second.

 

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