Longines
Parent The Swatch Group | | |
Website | longines.com |
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Compagnie des Montres Longines, Francillon S.A., or simply Longines (French pronunciation:
History
1832–1867
Longines was founded in Saint-Imier in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz, a Swiss watchmaker and brother of biologist Louis Agassiz.[3][7] Auguste had two partners, lawyers Henri Raiguel and Florian Morel; the company's original name was Raiguel Jeune & Cie.[8][9] By 1846, Raigeul and Morel had retired from the watch industry, leaving Agassiz as sole company head.[3]
Several years later, Agassiz brought in his bright, enterprising nephew, trained economist Ernest Francillon, into the business.[3] Francillon was the mastermind behind several impressive innovations that would distinguish the company from its competitors. One early stroke of genius from Francillon was to solely produce crown-wound pocket watches rather than the prevalent key-wound alternative. Later, when Agassiz started suffering from ill health, he passed leadership to Francillon.
1867–1878
Under Francillon, the company began segueing out of the établissage system and moved towards more modern production methods. Francillon solidified his firm's progression to mass production in 1867 by establishing his first factory.
Several years later, the U.S. watchmaking industry was making strides in industrialized watch manufacturing. Francillon sent Jacques David to the
Longines was the world's first watch trademark and the first Swiss company to assemble watches under one roof.[10]
1878–1927
In 1878, Longines developed its first chronograph movement, the 20H,[3] a "mono-pusher" chronograph, in which all 3 chronograph functions (start, stop, and reset) were controlled via the crown. With the 20H, Longines could produce stopwatches suitable for precise timing in professional events. This was when Longines began building its reputation in equestrian sports, such as horse racing and jumping.
By 1880, Longines was known for the quality and precision of its timepieces.[9] To Francillon's dismay, the brand became a target for counterfeiters. Longines counterfeits were not only directly stealing business and revenue from Francillon, but also potentially damaging his company's reputation. Francillon trademarked the Longines name in 1880 and its winged hourglass logo in 1889.[3] By 1886, Longines had established itself as a primary supplier of timing equipment for most New York sporting officials.
Notable Longines calibers:
- Longines 20H pocket chronograph
- Longines 18.72 pocket chronograph
- Longines 19.73 pocket chronograph
1927–1971
In 1927,
In 1931, Longines collaborated with Charles Lindbergh to introduce the Hour Angle aviation watch.[11]
In 1937, P.V.H. Weems again collaborated with Longines to produce a second, smaller (33mm) Weems avigation watch (reference 3930, 3931, and 4036).
In 1953, Longines developed its first quartz movement.[12]
In 1954, Longines introduced a timekeeping instrument called Longines Chronocinegines.[13]
Notable Longines calibers:
- Longines 12.68z time only or wrist watch chronograph
- Longines 13.33z wrist watch chronograph
- Longines 13ZN wrist watch chronograph
- Longines 30CH wrist watch chronograph
- Longines 37.9 time only
1971–present
In 1983, Longines' owner
Intellectual property and marketing
Longines began using the slogan "Elegance is an Attitude" in 1999. Their previous slogan, "The World's Most Honoured Watch" was used for most of the 20th century.[18][19]
The Longines Logo is the oldest registered trade mark still in use in its original form registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization.[20]
Sponsorships
Since Longines developed its first chronograph movement in 1878, the brand has steadily built strong relationships with various sporting organizations, events and teams worldwide. First came horse racing, then additional equestrian sports such as show jumping, endurance riding and eventing (a "triathlon" of dressage, cross-country, jumping).
Today, Longines is designated as official timekeeper, partner, and watch for competitions worldwide including:[21]
- Formula One World Championship (1980s)
- Archery World Cup
- Commonwealth Games
- French Open
- World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- FEI Show Jumping World Cup
- FIS Alpine Ski World Cup
- Hong Kong International Races
Notable patrons and owners
Notable Longines brand ambassadors and timepieces owners include
Notable Longines historical figures include
- Albert Einstein owned two timepieces from Longines, one 1943 silver pocket watch and one 1929 gold wristwatch.[Note 1][29][30][31][32] His Longines' wristwatch, which was presented to him by Rabbi Edgar Magnin in 1931, was auctioned by Antiquorum for US$596,000 in New York on 16 October 2008, making it the most expensive Longines' timepiece ever sold at auction.[29][33] His Longines pocket watch is now kept in the Bern Historical Museum in Switzerland.[30][34]
- United States Navy Captain Philip Van Horn Weems also known as P. V. H. Weems[35][36][37][38]
- United States Army Air Corps Reserve Charles Lindbergh[39][36][37][38]
- United States Navy Admiral Richard E. Byrd[36][37]
- United Kingdom Royal Navy Vice-Admiral Sir James Troup see photograph
- Amelia Earhart[36][37][38]
- Howard Hughes[36][37][38]
- Amy Johnson[36][37][38]
- Ruth Nichols[36][37][38]
- Elinor Smith[36][37][38]
- Wiley Post[36][37]
- Walter Mitterholzer [37]
- Paul-Emile Victor [37]
- Auguste and Jacques Piccard [37]
See also
Notes
- General Relativity) and is now kept in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, and a possibly German-made, unknown-brand pocket watch (circa 1900), which was auctioned by Christie's for GBP 266,500 in Londonon 13 July 2016.
References
- ^ "Longines - Swatch Group". www.swatchgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
- ^ "Company Overview of Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon S.A." www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g "History of Longines in 1832 - 1832". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ "History of Longines in 1983 - 1983". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
- ^ "Longines Watch Company: Madrid's Oldest Mark". Archived from the original on 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "Longines - A Timeless Logo". fhs.swiss. Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. October 12, 2009. Archived from the original on 2018-01-23. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
- ^ Francillon, André (2005). History of Longines. p. 75. Archived from the original on 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- ^ "The history of Longines® in 1832". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ a b c "A History of Longines | Xupes". www.xupes.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ISBN 9780873494533.
- ^ a b Reddick, Max E. (2013-01-04). "The History of the Pilot Watch Part Four: Longines and Lindbergh". Monochrome Watches. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ISBN 9781440219085. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ISBN 9781850587668.
- ^ "Major Swiss watch companies plan merger - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "The History of Quartz Weekend: Part 2 - Longines, the Swiss Enter the Fold". Watchonista. 2018-06-09. Archived from the original on 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2019-01-10.
- ISBN 9781137389084. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Turra, Alessandra (2019-10-08). "Marcolin to Develop Omega and Longines Eyewear Collections". Women's Wear Daily. Archived from the original on 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
- ^ "Longines Ambassadors of Elegance". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rai Bachchan : Longines Ambassador of Elegance Since 1999 | Longines®". www.longines.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ "Longines celebrates 120 years of protection for a logo that is still used today". www.europastar.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Anthony, Paul. "Longines Watch Brand History - An Enduring Quest For Elegance". bespokeunit.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2019-01-10.
- ^ "Profiles In Time: Humphrey Bogart's Watches". Crown & Caliber Blog. 2017-04-21. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Harry Connick Jr - Longines: Ambassador Of Excellence". Federation of the Swiss watch industry FH. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ "Profiles in Time: Audrey Hepburn's Watch". Crown & Caliber Blog. 2018-01-04. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rai Bachchan : Longines Ambassador of Elegance Since 1999". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Kate Winslet : Longines Ambassador of Elegance". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
- ^ "Jung Woo-Sung : Longines Ambassador of Elegance". www.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
- ^ "Bae Suzy : Longines Ambassador of Elegance". www. longines.com. Archived from the original on 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ a b "Albert Einstein's Longines watch fetch... - 16/10/2008 | Longines Media Center". mediacenter.longines.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ a b "[EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955)]". www.christies.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ Broer (2005-07-02). "Einstein's Longines on display". Fratello Watches. Archived from the original on 2019-06-03. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Profiles in Time: Albert Einstein". Crown & Caliber Blog. 2018-03-22. Archived from the original on 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Unique and Historically Important Longines, No. 4876616, case No. 66968. Made in 1930, presented to Professor Albert Einstein on February 16th, 1931 in Los Angeles". catalog.antiquorum.swiss. Archived from the original on 2019-06-03. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
- ^ "Longines gold watch - Albert Einstein | Watch ID". www.watch-id.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ Weems, Philip Van Horn (1943). Air navigation. George A. Smathers Libraries University of Florida. New York and London: McGraw-Hill book company, inc.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "WatchTime April 2021 WatchTime". www.watchtime-shop.com. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Pioneer Spirit Lives On | Longines". www.longines.com. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bucher, Written byRuediger (2022-03-01). "Ready for Takeoff: The Story of Longines and the Pioneers of Aviation". WatchTime - USA's No.1 Watch Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ Forster, Jack (September 2, 2015). "In-Depth: The Science, History, And Romance Behind The Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch". Hodinkee. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
Further reading
- Donzé, Pierre-Yves. "Dynamics of innovation in the electronic watch industry: a comparative business history of Longines (Switzerland) and Seiko (Japan), 1960-1980." Essays in Economic & Business History 37.1 (2019): 120-145. online