Longines is now the timekeeper for many prestigious races, including the Royal Ascot, the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Kentucky Derby and the Dubai World Cup, and one of the oldest advertisements from the company’s archives indicates that this involvement dates back to 1881. Precise timing was the name of the brand’s game, and current associations with many other sports also go back to the early 1900s. Longines has been a longtime partner and official timekeeper of the French Open, and of alpine skiing competitions organised by the International Ski Federation since 1933.
One of the landmark time recordings done by Longines was of the first-ever non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh on board the Spirit of St Louis. Although the original recording was done with the Weems model, Lindberg personally drew additional features, which were added in 1931 and released as the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch. Its 90th anniversary is celebrated this year with a limited edition, updated replica with PVD bezel as part of the Heritage collection.
Of this year’s releases, it is the simple time-only collections that are the most desirable. Longines is one of the oldest manufacturers in the world, and it makes sense to highlight its provenance on its 185th anniversary, while also taking full advance of the vintage revival.
The modernised Longines Heritage 1945 revisits the period styling codes of the original in a slightly larger 40mm steel case on a beige, nubuck leather strap, and will complement the outfit of any dapper urbanite. Its beige, coppery toned curved dial is framed by a wide, flat bezel and features gorgeous, thin, blue hands. This elegant piece is bound to do well when it hits stores, not only for its vintage looks, but also for its accessible price tag of about $1 700. It was originally issued with a manual winding calibre, but the current edition is powered by an automatic self-winding calibre L609.3 movement. Longines is clearly starting to capitalise on what it does best.
Swatch Group +27 11 911 1200; longines.com