Longines, the Swiss watch brand, is celebrated for its long-shared history and passion for sports, especially of the equestrian variety.
The brand’s connection with the equestrian world dates back to 1869 - just a few years after the company’s inception in 1832 - when Longines crafted its first equestrian pocket watch. Not long after, in 1878, the company developed a famous chronograph movement that fitted in a case engraved with a jockey and his mount. A visual feature on the American racetracks since the late 19th century, this type of timepiece proved extremely popular amongst jockeys and horse-lovers, as it enabled its user to time performances to the second, and as we all know, every second counts when it comes to first or second place. Designed in the workshops of the factory of Saint-Imier, these first creations were the founding story of Longines’ involvement in the equestrian world, with the brand sharing the sporting field’s values of elegance, performance and precision.
Longines shares the equestrian world’s values of elegance, performance, precision and the quest for exploits
Since that day, Longines fast became associated with sports timekeeping, and as the brand constantly pushed the boundaries of precision, its involvement in the equestrian world progressively intensified. So much so, that in 1912 a new step was taken when Longines concluded its first official partnership with a show-jumping event in Lisbon, Portugal, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the sporting discipline.
Now, with generations of experience behind it, Longines has created long-lasting relationships in the world of sports, with countless equestrian competitions benefitting from the qualities and reliability of the chronograph calibres and automated instruments that Longines has developed to time sports performances so exquisitely. The brand’s trusted legitimacy and expertise has also seen Longines’ partnership with equestrian sports evolve to include flat racing, show jumping, dressage, driving and eventing disciplines, as well as partnerships with major equestrian institutions, such as the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, and the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders.
And so, as we turn our attentions to the Dubai World Cup on March 28, we look to Longines to be our sartorial partner, dressing our wrists with The Longines Master Collection. A symbol of the brand’s watchmaking prowess, the collection perfectly embodies the values of excellence that Longines is so synonymous for. With different recently-introduced models to the collection, each feature a moon phase indicator at six o’clock, circled by an Arabic numeral date ring, on which a hand points to the current day, powered by a new movement, the L899 calibre, developed exclusively for Longines.
These new pieces from The Longines Master Collection are presented with a range of dial variations, including black barleycorn with painted Roman numerals, silvered barleycorn with painted Arabic numerals or blue sunray with applied indexes. Available with two diameter size options of 40mm or 42mm, and a stainless steel bracelet or a black, brown or blue strap to match dial, they create the perfect balance between technical excellence and classic elegance that will ensure you are on time and well-dressed come race day.