Luxury Longines Stainless steel Watch, Longines Stainless steel Replica Watches Wholesale

Longines Conquest Heritage 40mm Pink Gold Black (L1.645.8.52.4)

THIS IS MY THIRD ECHO DRIVE WATCH FROM CITIZEN. I LOVE THIS WATCH AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE. I HAVE TWO MORE AND THERE STILL GOING STRONG. IF YOU BUY THIS WATCH YOU WILL LOVE IT

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Angie Jenkins, From India Katni

Longines DolceVita 30 Quartz Chronograph Stainless Steel (L5.680.4.73.6)

The crystal stuck up way above the metal case making it ready to be damaged at a moments notice. Mine arrived already cracked.

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Antoneta Jurovicki Siclari, From USA Fort Myers

Longines Dolce Vita White Dial Stainless Steel Ladies Watch L5.155.4.16.6

Cute items. Nice selection of choices

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by yusuf duymaz, From Southafrica Gauteng

Longines has once again looked to its rich history to expand the military wing of its Heritage collection. The Longines Heritage Military COSD is based on a piece of equipment used by the British Special Forces during the 1940s. Each item of this equipment was marked with the initials COSD and intended for the sole use of the Combined Operations Command created by the British War Office during the Second World War. These timepieces were much appreciated by the paratroopers.

The 40 mm steel case of the Longines Heritage Military COSD houses an L619.2 self-winding calibre. Maintaining its military look, it is mounted on a khaki Nato strap. Also created for the British army, these light-weight but robust straps were designed to meet the rigorous requirements of military equipment. The Longines Heritage Military COSD also exists in a version mounted on a black leather strap.

The opaline dial boasts a chapter-ring comprising large black Arabic numerals as well as a red 24-hour scale enhanced with blued hands. A railway-track minute ring serves to further emphasize the military style of the watch. A version with a matt black dial and rhodium-plated hands is also available. The upper part of the dial bears a broad arrow, a symbol used in Britain at the time to indicate government property. It was thus to be found on various pieces of military equipment including the watches used by the British forces. The numerals and the hands are coated with Super-LumiNova® to help the user read the time under all conditions.

As FEI's Top Partner, Longines is the Official Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the CSIO Barcelona 2015 and timed the victory of Team Belgium, made up of Olivier Philippaerts on H&M Armb van de Kapel, Judy-Ann Melchior on As Cold As Ice Z, Jos Lansink on For Cento and Gregory Wathelet on Conrad de Hus, at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup^TM Jumping final after several months of intense preparation and thrilling competitions across Europe. The Swiss watch brand is also associated with two other highlights of the event: the Longines Challenge Cup on Friday, won by Team Qatar, and the Longines Cup of the City of Barcelona on Sunday.

Besides, the Official Watch of the CSIO Barcelona 2015 is a lady model of the new Longines DolceVita collection, cased in steel, decorated with diamonds and featuring a silver-coloured "flinque" dial adorned with painted Roman numerals. This timepiece represents contemporary elegance of the Longines watchmaking brand worldwide, which makes it also the perfect illustration of the elegance of this world class competition.

The partnership between Longines and the FEI reinforces the traditional and long-lasting commitment of the Swiss watchmaker in equestrian sports. As part of this partnership, Longines is lending its name to the FEI world ranking for riders participating in the show jumping trials: the Longines Rankings. The brand is the Official Partner of the three indoors series (Western European, Chinese and North American League) and the final of the Longines FEI World Cup^TM Jumping, as well as the outdoors series and the final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup^TM Jumping.

Mr Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, and Mr Christophe Ameeuw, Founder and CEO of EEM, announced a new partnership during a press conference held on Tuesday 23 June 2015 in Ecaussinnes.

This important agreement sees the Swiss watch brand becoming the Title Partner, as well as the Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Longines Masters. From now on, the three show jumping events set up by the Belgian organizer and held in Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong bear the name of Longines and become the Longines Masters of Los Angeles, the Longines Masters of Paris and the Longines Masters of Hong Kong. The Swiss watch brand already was the Official Timekeeper and Watch of all the events organized by EEM, as well as the Title Partner of the competitions held in Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

In addition, Longines gives its name to two highlights of each one of these events: the exciting Longines Speed Challenge and the renowned Longines Grand Prix. In the Longines Speed Challenge, the competitors' aim is to achieve the fastest time, knowing that 2 penalty seconds are added for each pole that is knocked down, while the Longines Grand Prix celebrates the highest level of show jumping.

The Longines Masters combine the very best sports level and the most elegant lifestyle with a unique staging. They are prestigious 5* indoor show jumping events where the best riders in the world are competing. Indeed, Longines and EEM share common values such as elegance, tradition and performance.

Former Olympic showjumper, two-term President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), FEI Honorary President and Classic-winning racehorse owner, HRH Princess Haya received the honour in recognition of "Her outstanding elegance as a competitor, a leader and a woman working tirelessly for the good of equestrian sports" said Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President & Head of International Marketing of Longines.

HRH Princess Haya received the 2015 Longines Ladies Award consisting of a Longines pocket watch: The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Horses Trio 1911. The model that served as an inspiration for this 18-carat rose gold very limited edition is a Longines pocket timepiece dating from 1911 with a cleverly crafted background depicting a trio of horses. The heads of these three proud animals stand out against a background of delicately worked foliage. This model features the L878.4 calibre with manual winding, a Longines Manufacture movement.

The Longines Ladies Awards recognise the success and achievements of elegant women at the very highest level of the global equine sports industry. The jury featured three leaders in world equestrianism: Mr. Ingmar de Vos, President of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale); Mr. Louis Romanet, Chairman of the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities); and Mrs. Nathalie Belinguier, President of the FEGENTRI (International Federation of Gentleman and Lady Riders).

With the Apple Watch on everyone's lips, it's worth remembering that it has taken the Silicon Valley giant forty years to launch its first watch. Longines, headquartered in the sleepy valley town of St. Imier, has been producing timepieces since 1867. And while Apple may currently lay claim to one of the most valuable brands in the world, Longines has the oldest: its winged logo is the oldest valid trademark in the WIPO's International Registry.

The current CEO of Longines, Walter von Känel, joined the company in 1969 and is still there 46 years later. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that he is dismissive of the Apple Watch and smart watches in general. "In my 46 years at Longines I have experimented with digital," he says. "LCD was a Swiss patent, after all. Afterwards we did some LED watches and you can find them in the museum. Later ETA came with its digital/analogue movements and we launched the Speed5.
"I think the watches from Apple, Samsung and the like are complementary to what we do. I firmly believe that the essential objective of a watch is no longer just to tell the time but also to serve as a status symbol. Why do you buy a Patek Philippe rather than a Swatch? Because you want to show it off."

But the gulf between a Swatch and a Patek Philippe in terms of price and prestige is enormous. It took the world's biggest private collection of Swatches (5,800 in total) to make just a quarter of the proceeds of the record-breaking Patek Philippe Graves Supercomplication at auction. So where does Longines fit in to this equation?

"The watch is an emotional branded consumer good," explains von Känel, "which is why we invest millions in sponsorship, ambassadors and such." Indeed, Longines ensures a steady flow of news from its partnerships in the equestrian world, as well as in tennis and skiing. Nevertheless, since Mr von Känel comes from a background in sales, the bottom line is always the top consideration. At his meetings in Basel you will always find him with his four essential items: a heap of plastic-protected sheets of sales figures, best-sellers, breakdowns by country and product category and the like, a pencil, a pencil-sharpener and - somewhat unusually - a set of precision calipers dating back to 1969. Old school. Much to the chagrin of WorldTempus, he admits "I have no computer, my telephone is this old thing and I don't even reply to SMS messages."

His relentless focus on sales shows in his photographic recall of key statistics: 1.4 million Dolce Vita models sold, the exact split of two-tone models by sales when I question a potential change in strategy. And it is this focus that has led to the creation of a "fifth pillar" at the brand with a new collection dedicated solely to the brand's equestrian associations. "If we are going to invest millions in this area and be present at equestrian events almost every weekend, then we needed something more than the chronograph," he explains. "We needed a new collection, especially for women. But we are also working on a watch designed especially for show jumping."

Even a personal question on his favourite model in the collection comes back to sales. "We are investing heavily in promoting the Conquest Classic this year, which represents 7% of our sales, and we decided that the star model should be the two-tone steel and gold model with the moon phase. And since I have to be consistent I have to lead by example." There is no need to guess, therefore, which watch the Longines CEO has on his wrist.

Even given Walter von Känel's b sales background, it comes as somewhat a surprise when he claims that last year set a new sales record for Longines. Even in the troubled market of Hong Kong, which tourists from mainland China are now avoiding in favour of Korea and Thailand, the brand recorded 10% growth last year. Could it continue this year, despite the uncertain economic climate? "It looks that way," the boss confidently predicted on the opening day of Baselworld.

During a press conference held in the Longines Owners Pavilion at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, it was announced that the new LPS technology will be officially installed and used for the first time today at Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day, the second day of The Championships held in April.

Longines has an illustrious history in equestrian timekeeping dating back to 1878. The innovative new LPS incorporates a permanent or portable, easily deployable system that sets a new standard for accurate, reliable and repeatable timekeeping and tracking results that will provide huge benefit to both the horseracing industry and enthusiasts.

Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines said: "For Longines, investing in technological advancements is the latest step in our long term relationship with horseracing. The Longines Positioning System delivers a number of benefits to the sport and is a game-changer for the racing industry (...). We are excited to see how the LPS technology can be utilised in the future to improve the experience for racing spectators, TV viewers and even smart phone and tablet users. There is no question that live performance data enhances viewing experience and depth of understanding."

The LPS tracking and timing provides instant data on the exact position of horses during a race, race rankings, the distance between horses and speed. It boasts accuracy down to 5 centimetres and features up to 1,000 measurements per second. 

In a further major announcement, Longines confirmed that it has also become the Official Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch for Rosehill Gardens, specifically for the prominent Longines Golden Slipper Carnival from 2016. Longines has secured naming rights for this esteemed day and thrilling feature race, the Longines Golden Slipper - the richest race in the world for two year olds.

Longines was proud to present the Conquest Classic Moonphase, dedicated to its passion for equestrian sports, during the 2015 Longines Hong Kong Masters. This edition of the event was held from February 13th to 15th at AsiaWorld-Expo. The Swiss watch brand has been the Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of this prestigious event since its first edition in 2013.
The Longines Hong Kong Masters is part of the Masters Grand Slam: a series of indoor equestrian events which attract the best horse riders in the world to take part in exceptional competitions held in Asia, America and Europe

On Friday, Julien Epaillard on Pigmalion du Rozel won the Longines Speed Challenge, while Scott Brash on Hello Annie secured the second place and Gerco Schröder on Glock's Prince de Vaux was third. Sunday was marked by the win of John Whitaker on Argento, followed by Henrik von Eckermann on Gotha FRH and Simon Delestre on Ryan des Hayettes, in front of Longines Ambassador of Elegance Aaron Kwok at the Longines Grand Prix. All winners were honoured by receiving elegant Longines watches from the hands of Mr. Walter von Känel, President of Longines.

The Night Turf St. Moritz took place on Friday evening 6 February 2015, on
the frozen lake of the renowned Swiss alpine resort,prior to the first White Turf race Sunday. Longines was the Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of this unique event, as well as the Title Partner of the Longines Show-Sprint Race, which Cheryl Schoch on Boccalino won in style.

The event was enlightened by many celebrities, such as Nicola Spirig, Triathlon World Champion, Ariella Kaeslin, Gymnastics European Champion, Bruno Kernen, Downhill World Champion and Sven Epiney, SRF TV moderator, and also the Longines Ambassador of Elegance Ingeborga Dapkunaite.

The Official Watch of the competition, a stainless steel Conquest Classic Moonphase model, houses a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement. Its refined silvered dial displays the moon phases, echoing the excellence and elegance of equestrian sport stars.

Longines's CEO Walter von Känel has spent most of his professional career in an industry that captured his imagination while still a child, the industry that was the lifeblood of the Saint-Imier region where he lived. After leaving business college Walter von Känel became a technical administrator in the Swiss customs service and subsequently held a number of positions in accounting, logistics and sales with dial manufacturer Jean Singer.
He joined Longines in 1969 at the age of 28 as sales manager and was quickly seconded to the United States to work with the brand's New York agent. Walter von Känel continued to work his way up, holding positions as head of sales, then head of sales and marketing, before being appointed general manager in 1988. Since 1991 he has been a member of Swatch Group's expanded management board.
Walter von Känel is also very active in the politics of his region, and is passionate about local history.

This year, the tournament, organized by Longines since 2010, was held at an exceptional venue, on the Champ de Mars, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop.

After a week filled with emotional and thrilling moments for the 16 talented players under 13 years old coming from all over the world, the 2014 Longines Future Tennis Aces tournament went to a prefect close on Saturday, May 31st, with the victory of Federica Rossi (Italy) who defeated Daria Frayman (Russia).

The Longines Future Tennis Aces, organized by the Swiss watch brand for the fifth consecutive year, is supported by the FFT (French Federation of Tennis) and is in compliance with the French Open of Roland-Garros, of which Longines is Official Partner and Official Timekeeper. This year, the tournament was held for the first time on the Champ de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Federica Rossi was presented with a trophy from the hands of Jean Gachassin, President of the FFT (French Federation of Tennis) - just like the winner of Roland-Garros next weekend - as well as a Longines watch. Both finalists received an annual bursary of 2000$ until their 16th birthday for their tennis equipment, and to top off their great achievement, participated in an exhibition match with the patron of the tournament Marion Bartoli and Nathalie Dechy, both former French professional tennis players.

Longines is Official Partner and Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros since 2007.

On Saturday 19 April, the racecourse of Royal Randwick welcomed more than 26'000 persons for the 2014 edition of the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Raceday. For the first time, Longines was the Official Watch & Official timekeeper of the Australian Turf Club for this amazing raceday. 9 races have set the tempo of the day including the $4 Million Group 1 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), the richest weight for age race over that distance on turf in the world. The winner, It's A Dundeel, mounted by James McDonald run the 2'000 meters in the time of 01:59:33. 
 

A guest of honour, Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Simon Baker watched the races and elected the most elegant lady out of the 6 finalists of the Longines Award of Elegance competition. Simon Baker presented the winner, Melissa Hann, with a precious timepiece from the Conquest Classic collection.
 

Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Raceday was the perfect occasion to discover Conquest Classic, a collection dedicated to the world of horse racing. The event's Official Watch was a steel chronograph from this line. With its 41 mm diameter, this timepiece has a black dial and is equipped with an exclusive column-wheel self-winding movement. As is the case with all models in the Conquest Classic collection, the watch's movement can be admired through its sapphire crystal case back.

On 5 May 1954, Longines registered the name "Conquest" with the Swiss Federal Intellectual Property Office. Appreciated as much for their precision as for their design, the first pieces in this line immediately won the hearts of the general public. The name Conquest was soon associated with timing great feats, notably for calculating the speed record for crossing the Atlantic. 

The word "Conquest" is inscribed on the dials of the Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 watches in the original typeface as a reminder of those watches that have survived through the ages and retained their contemporary and classical beauty. The first version, available in steel, yellow gold or rose gold, has the same silvered dial decorated with a sun-burst motif as the very first Conquest model dating from 1954. The second version in yellow gold is fitted with a gilded dial. This model is a reinterpretation of one that was presented at the time as "the new jewel in the proud Conquest line".

As with the original models, the case back of these re-issues is decorated with a gold and enamel medallion. This distinctive feature - the "gold seal of Longines quality" - was a guarantee of quality specific to the original Conquest line. There are two versions of the medallion: that used for the models in gold is in the form of a constellation and that used for the models in steel represents a fish. Fitted on a black alligator strap, the Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 models are all numbered. The exclusive versions in gold are limited to 60 pieces only and the series of steel models is limited to 600 pieces only.

As the official timekeeper for the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Longines awarded today in Lenzerheide the Longines Rising Ski Stars prize. Created in 2012, this prize is awarded to the best young athlete, lady (under 21) and man (under 23), taking part in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup this season. This year the winners are Mikaela Shiffrin and Alexis Pinturault, who both had a wonderful season. The two prodigies had already received this award last year, proving once again that they are the most promising young athletes of the World Cup.

The American skier, who also won the slalom globe, and the French skier have received a trophy, a check for 20'000 CHF and a Longines Conquest Classic watch. This collection fully represents the precision, the technique and the elegance of alpine skiing.

The prize Longines Rising Ski Stars forms part of several activities undertaken by Longines to support youth through sport and to encourage the discovery of young talent. With its slogan "Elegance is an attitude", Longines particularly supports young people in several sports, organising projects for promising young hopefuls at its partnership events. For several years, the Longines Future Tennis Aces tournament has been held during the French Open Championship. In flat racing, the Prix Longines Future Racing Stars, open to young jockeys, is run in conjunction with the Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly. And in 2013 Longines extended this concept to Alpine skiing with the Longines Future Ski Champions. Moreover, the brand also supports rising athletes with the Longines Rising Star Award in equestrian sports, the Longines Rising Tennis Stars and of course the Longines Rising Ski Stars.

Commonwealth Day was celebrated in style Monday 10 March. Commonwealth and Olympic swimming star, and Glasgow 2014 ambassador, Michael Jamieson, and Clyde, the Official 2014 Mascot kicked off the Commonwealth Day celebrations by sporting their trainers at Hillhead Primary School and encouraging the youngsters to show their support for the Games by also wearing their trainers.

Michael then joined Glasgow 2014 Chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin, Charles Villoz, Vice President of Longines, Glasgow 2014's Official Timekeeper and Watch and Games Partners to formally switch on the Longines Glasgow 2014 Clock at the city's Central Train Station and officially mark the countdown to the Opening Ceremony.

Situated above the destination board at the station, the prestigious new Longines clock will be seen by hundreds and thousands of commuters and visitors in the lead-up to the Games in July.

Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, said: "The switching on of the Countdown Clock is a fitting marker of this important milestone for Glasgow 2014 and we are delighted to be sharing it with such an excellent global brand as Longines, which underlines perfectly the world-class appeal of the Games.
"This is our year and our chance for Glasgow and Scotland to shine on the global stage. The clock is now officially ticking down to the moment we have all been working towards since the bid was accepted in 2007".

Charles Villoz, Vice President of Longines, added: "Longines is very proud to be the Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of Glasgow 2014. Together with Glasgow 2014, we share common values such as tradition and performance. We are happy to bring our timekeeping expertise to the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in Scotland. We are looking forward to the thrilling and emotional action-packed moments that we are sure to experience this summer."

Like all the models in the Conquest Classic line, the official watch for the 2014 Longines Hong Kong Masters is fitted with a self-winding calibre. With a diameter of 40 mm, this model in steel and rose gold houses the mechanical caliber L619. Its silvered dial is set with 3 arabic numerals and 9 applied indices with Super-LumiNova® and displays the hours, the minutes and the seconds as well as the date at 3 o'clock. Just as the entire collection Conquest Classic, this timepiece is water-resistant to 5 bar and its screw-down case back is fitted with a sapphire glass.

Longines presented this model, dedicated to its passion for equestrian sports, during the Longines Hong Kong Masters. The 2014 edition of the event was held from February 21st to 23rd 2014 at AsiaWorld-Expo (Hong Kong). The two highlights of the event were the Longines Speed Challenge, won by Kevin Staut on Quismy des Vaux H D C, and the Longines Grand Prix, attended by Longines Ambassador of Elegance Aaron Kwok and won by Henrik von Eckermann riding Gotha FRH on Sunday 23 February 2014.

As part of the Longines Heritage Collection, The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph models recall the very first chronograph wristwatches created by the brand in 1933. These timepieces housed the 13.33z calibre, the first chronograph movement made by Longines to equip wristwatches.

The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph model houses the L788 calibre, a monopusher movement developed by ETA exclusively for Longines and which, like its illustrious predecessor, is equipped with a column-wheel and measures 13¼ lines. All the chronograph functions can be controlled by simply pressing the single push-piece.

The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph comes in three versions, all with a 40 mm diameter. Two versions, one in steel and one in rose gold, feature Arabic numerals, and a third version, also available in steel, displays Roman numerals. The single push-piece, inserted into the fluted crown, recalls the original timepieces. The white dials are adorned with painted black numerals and a red "12", in a direct reference to the dials of the period. They are completed by two counters, at 3 and 9 o'clock, together with a date aperture at 6 o'clock and blued hands.

The cases are a particularly interesting feature of these timepieces. Two of the models have a well-rounded case, available in steel and in rose gold. Taking its inspiration from an historic timepiece, the third model in steel is fitted with moving lugs. This version has a thicker case with a more angular profile. On all three versions, the movement's blue column wheel can be admired through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. All models of The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph are fitted with a brown alligator strap.

Longines hosted the prestigious Longines CSI Basel from 9 to 12 January 2014. Perfectly embodying the core values expressed by the Longines slogan, "Elegance is an attitude", the event offered a great opportunity to discover Conquest Classic, a collection dedicated to the equestrian world. 

For the first time, Longines was the Title Partner, Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the event. In recent years, the Longines CSI Basel event has become one of the world's best indoor competitions. This new partnership, highly representative of Longines' very own values, reaffirms the Swiss watch brand's commitment to equestrian sports. The official Longines CSI Basel 2014 watch was a steel chronograph from the Conquest Classic collection. This sporty watch, 41 mm in diameter, is driven by an exclusive column wheel calibre and features a black dial.

The weekend was marked by the victory of Rolf-Göran Bengtsson on Casall ASK in the Longines Grand Prix, a competition held in two rounds on 12 January 2014. Amidst the general excitement, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson was presented with an elegant Longines watch by Mr. Walter von Känel, President of Longines.

The Longines Heritage 1973 displays a vintage look that is true to the original model. The latter, a chronograph produced in 1973 by the brand, was fitted with a Longines mechanical chronograph movement, the 30CH. The Longines Heritage 1973 houses the L688 calibre, a column-wheel chronograph movement developed and produced by ETA exclusively for Longines.

The silvered dial of the Longines Heritage 1973 boasts a fascinating play of contrasts. At 3 and 9 o'clock, two black counters were included. The applied hour symbols are decorated with a fine black line and a dot of Super-LumiNova®. These are interposed and balanced out by a minute-circle, also of fine black lines. A blue tachometric scale surrounds the dial, adding a subtle touch of colour to the whole.

With a diameter of 40 mm, the cushion-shaped steel dial of the Longines Heritage 1973 has retained the lines and mood of the original model. The back is fitted with a transparent sapphire glass cover through which the wearer can admire the movement of the calibre as well as the blue column-wheel. This model is completed by the rounded push-pieces. The whole is mounted on a black alligator strap.

The Longines Tachymeter Chronograph features a technical tool initially introduced around 1811 to measure the hourly pace in assembly lines, as well as the velocity of the first modern means of locomotion: the tachymeter. To measure the hourly pace, the chronograph is started at the beginning of a task and stopped once the task is completed. The hand then shows the average production pace per hour. To find out the velocity of a subject, the chronograph is activated at distance zero and stopped once the distance of one kilometre has been covered. The hand then indicates the average velocity in units measured.

The Longines Tachymeter Chronograph now combines in a very unique way the technical specifications of a tachymeter with the values of the brand, namely tradition, performance and elegance. The circular steel case with a diameter of 41 mm houses the caliber L688, a self-winding mechanical movement with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism exclusively developed for Longines, which can be admired through a transparent case back. The model features a date aperture at 4h30, a small second at 9 o'clock, a 30-minutes counter at 3 o'clock and a 12-hours counter at 6.
Besides its extraordinary technical features, the model stands out with its remarkable design. The white lacquered dial is inspired by the one of a chronograph developed by Longines in 1934 and contrasts perfectly with the black Arabic numerals, the tachymeter scale in blue (1000 m) and red (100 m). A subtle touch of elegance is added to this model by its blued steel Breguet hands indicating hours and minutes and the blued steel counter-weight line pear hand indicating the seconds. To complete the traditional yet contemporary design of the model, it is mounted on an elegant black alligator strap.

The Swiss watch brand and Capannelle reaffirmed their collaboration for the third year on 24 October 2013 during an elegant event held at the Ara Pacis Museum in the centre of Rome. That same evening the Premio Longines Longines Lydia Tesio - Le Signore dell'Ippica were awarded to seven women known for their exceptional commitment to the equestrian world.
The Capannelle racecourse was the stage of the Premio Longines Lydia Tesio, an international group 1 race of 2000 meters for mares aged 3 years and up, on Sunday October 27. Fabio Branca on Charity Line won this race in 2'03''06. The jockey, the owner of the horse and the trainer received a Longines watch.
The Premio Longines Lydia Tesio is dedicated to the memory of Donna Lydia, the first Italian woman in horseracing history. She was the wife of the famous thoroughbred breeder Federico Tesio. It explains why the "Premio Longines Lydia Tesio - Le Signore dell'Ippica", a prize meant to reward the exceptional commitment of women in the equestrian world, was awarded on the same week to seven women.
During this week, Longines presented a watch that embodies its philosophy: Longines DolceVita. The official watch of the event is a quartz timepiece in steel and rose gold. It is set with 32 diamonds (0.269 carat, Top Wesselton VVS) whose sparkle emphasises the rectangular form and harmonious proportions of the case. The white dial features ten indices, an Arabic numeral 12 and rose hands that indicate the hours and minutes, with a small second at 6 o'clock. This elegant, contemporary model is mounted on a steel and rose gold bracelet.

The Irish horse owner, trainer and breeder Jim Bolger was awarded the trophy and an elegant Longines watch from hands of Mr. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines, and Mr. Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman. The Swiss watch brand is the Official Partner and the Official Watch of the IFHA, as well as the Title Partner of the Longines World's Best Racehorses Rankings.
Mr. Jim Bolger has captured many big races across Europe in the last three decades. He has made a huge impact on the horseracing industry as a trainer, as a breeder, as an owner and as an educator of jockeys and trainers.

Longines awarded its Prize for Elegance to the American gymnast Kyla Ross and to the world champion, Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura at the end of the second all-around final on October 4.
World champion for the fourth consecutive time - a record - the Japanese athlete received this prize for the second time. Both gymnasts have been presented with a trophy, a Longines watch and a cheque for 5'000$.
Set up in 1997, the Longines Prize for Elegance is aimed at honouring the most elegant and charismatic gymnasts. Apart from purely technical considerations, the criteria are based rather on grace, harmonious movement and emotion during the performances.
Symbolising the contemporary elegance of the brand, the Longines DolceVita collection has been one of the stars at Antwerp. With its combination of sparkling diamonds, gleaming steel and glowing rose gold, the official watch for the event is fitted with a quartz caliber and features a white dial with ten rose pink hour symbols and one Arabic numeral. This contemporary rectangular timepiece is mounted on a bracelet of steel and rose gold and is set with 32 diamonds - a perfect illustration of the famous Longines slogan "Elegance is an attitude".

Churchill Downs Racetrack, home of the world famous Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, has entered into a long-term agreement with internationally renowned Swiss watchmaker Longines to serve as Entitlement Partner of the Kentucky Oaks and to retain its role as Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby. As a result of its existing and expanded partnership, the Kentucky Oaks has been renamed the "Longines Kentucky Oaks," and Longines is the Official Timekeeper of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Longines will host multiple events surrounding Longines Kentucky Oaks Day, Friday, May 3, 2013, and the famed "Run for the Roses," Saturday, May 4, 2013.
As it has in the past, Longines will award watches from the elegant Longines Saint-Imier Collection to the winning horses' owner, trainer and jockey on both race days. A Longines digital countdown clock is currently featured on the Churchill Downs website, www.KentuckyDerby.com, as the official countdown to the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports." Represented by tennis legend and longtime Ambassador of Elegance Stefanie Graf, Longines will have a b presence throughout Churchill Downs and other Derby-affiliated events including Taste of Derby, the Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest and the Winner's Party. Additionally, Longines will sponsor the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines on Kentucky Derby afternoon and will have timepieces and branded clocks on display throughout the Churchill Downs facility. The brand's logo will also be prominently featured on the official Kentucky Derby Red Carpet, racetrack and other surrounding areas.
Longines Kentucky Oaks 139 is the Kentucky Derby's $1 million companion race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles and is televised on NBC Sports from 5-6 p.m. (ET) The Longines Kentucky Oaks features a "Ladies First" theme, continuing the "Pink Out!" tradition which encourages all attendees to wear pink to the track. The Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest will celebrate elegant Derby style and will award one lucky woman who successfully models her own personal ensemble on the "pink carpet" a stainless steel and rose gold Longines Saint-Imier Collection watch featuring a stunning diamond bezel.
"Longines Kentucky Oaks Day is all about the ladies," said Churchill Downs President and CEO Kevin Flanery. "Our female fans continue to respond favorably to the new traditions of fashion and fun that we have been bringing them over these last few years, and we feel that the elegant Longines brand is a natural fit for the feminine spirit of the Longines Kentucky Oaks."
"Our passion at Longines is equestrian sports, so we are delighted to return for a third year as the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby and to expand our partnership to include the Longines Kentucky Oaks," said Longines President Walter von Känel. "This partnership embodies the Longines brand image and philosophy stated in its slogan 'Elegance is an attitude.'"

Longines Kentucky Oaks day activities:
"Pink Out!" Tradition Continues
The official color of the Longines Kentucky Oaks is pink in celebration of all the ladies. The Pink Out encourages all Oaks attendees to wear pink or incorporate pink into their attire to show their support for cancer survivors. Churchill Downs will be decked out in pink as well, including pink-colored bunting, flower beds, flags and jockeys' and pony riders' apparel. Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman will sport a pink uniform as he calls horses to the post throughout Longines Kentucky Oaks Day.
Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest
Ladies of all ages in attendance on Longines Kentucky Oaks Day can enter the Longines Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest for the chance to win a stainless steel and rose gold Longines Saint-Imier Collection watch featuring a stunning diamond bezel. Entrants showcasing their finest Longines Kentucky Oaks attire will be judged on the "Pink Carpet" inside Gate 10. Participants are judged by how well they incorporate pink into their ensemble. Coverage of the contest appears on NBC Sports Network.
Survivors Parade presented by Kroger
The 2013 Survivors Parade presented by Kroger provides some of the most memorable and touching moments as cancer survivors invited by Churchill Downs parade along the main track just moments before the running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks. This year, Churchill Downs has invited back participants from the 2012 Survivor Parade which was interrupted by storms last year.  
$1 Million Longines Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks Day - an unofficial Louisville holiday with many schools and businesses closed - is the third largest attended horse race in America only behind the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. In 2012, 112,552 attended the festivities, which marked the 12th time in the last 13 years that attendance topped the 100,000 mark. With a $1 million guaranteed purse, The Longines Kentucky Oaks is the most lucrative American horse race for 3-year-old fillies. Twenty-six Oaks winners have gone on to be crowned with an Eclipse Award as North America's champion 3-year-old filly and nine are enshrined in racing's Hall of Fame.
The lofty purse reflects the Oaks' status and importance as a sports and entertainment event. Wagering on the 12-race card in 2012 was a record $39.9 million, which included an unprecedented $11.8 million on the Oaks alone. The maximum number of starters in the race is 14, and at least 13 fillies have been in the starting gate for five of the last seven years. The winner receives a silver trophy, a garland of pink star-gazer lilies and an estimated $564,200 payday.

The new models of the HydroConquest line have a round steel case and a diameter of 39 mm or 41 mm. The 3-hands-models are equipped with an automatic or a quartz movement while the HydroConquest chronographs are available either with the L688 column-wheel movement exclusively developed for Longines by ETA or a quartz movement. The dials in black, white or blue feature bright details in red and - depending on the model - 8 to 11 Arabic numerals. The bracelets are made of steel or rubber in black.

Diving watches "par excellence", The HydroConquest series aims to become the preferred watch of divers and aquatic sports enthusiasts. With a screwed crown, a screw-down case back and the lateral crown protection, these timepieces assure a water-resistance of 30 bar (300 meters). All the models are equipped with indispensable safety devices such as a unidirectional rotating bezel coloured in red, black or blue, hands coated with Super-LumiNova® to make sure that the time can be read in all conditions and a bracelet with double safety diving folding clasp and diving extension.
Here is the HydroConquest Chronograph, mechanical self-winding movement, cream dial and black bezel.

The Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph 180th Anniversary Limited Edition is closely based on the first wrist chronograph, manufactured by Longines in 1913 and fitted with calibre 13.33Z. The new model uses calibre L788, a column-wheel chronograph movement developed exclusively for Longines which enables the wearer to activate the various chronograph functions - go, stop and reset to zero - by simply pressing on the single push-piece integrated into the crown. With its sleek lines and white dial featuring a bright red "12", this model recalls the Agassiz dial of the original version, while the moving lugs are part of Longines' prestigious heritage. This model is available in rose gold and has been manufactured in a limited series of 180 numbered pieces.

Worldtempus - 12 March 2012

Tissot sold more than three million watches in 2011 and Swatch Group colleague Longines passed the one million mark in 2011. In other words, these two Swatch Group companies comfortably perch on many wrists around the world, not the least of whom are located in China - which undoubtedly is these two brands' biggest single market.
The tactile success
"13 years ago Mr. Hayek asked who wanted to produce a tactile watch, and I was the only one who raised my hand," Tissot CEO Francois Thiebaud said.
The tactile watch, of course, is the highly successful T-Touch, a multifunctional watch that has been a pearl of the Tissot collection since its launch in 1999. "I am a private pilot myself and enjoy a multifunctional watch," Thiebaud revealed. "I had no doubt about the success of this kind of technology put into a wristwatch"

No regrets
"The T-Touch collection today accounts for more than 250,000 pieces of our annual sales," Thiebaud revealed, clearly not regretting his choice of production at the fateful Swatch Group meeting 13 years ago.
The success of the T-Touch, however, is not the only reason why he is all smiles. The company he captains experienced a sales increase of 45 percent from 2009 through 2011 - years in which many other brands struggled. This primarily occurred thanks to the huge demand from Chinese clients buying both from their mainland retailers and foreign outlets when traveling.
With an average price of 200-500 Swiss francs, Tissot offers both classic Swiss timepieces and innovative, sporty watches such as the T-Touch. Thiebaud and Tissot must be doing something right since one in five exported Swiss watches is a Tissot. "We sold 3.4 million watches in 2011 and I expect to sell four million watches in 2012," Thiebaud smiled.

Understanding the Chinese
How did Tissot become so hugely popular in China? We asked Longines CEO Walther von Känel, one of the most experienced and respected CEOs in the Swiss watchmaking industry, attending his 37th Baselworld.
"Longines sent its first invoice to Chinese clients back in 1867. Our history with the Chinese market goes way back. I visited China for the first time in 1971 and made business directly with the government. A few years later, the first Chinese delegation visited Switzerland," von Känel explained his first acquaintance with the largest consumer of Swiss watches today.
"In the 1980s, we opened our first representative office in mainland China (including Omega and Tissot --ed). Doing this gave us the opportunity to study the culture and get to know the Chinese customer up close," von Känel explained. "Understanding local culture is essential for any sale."

One million watches
Longines produces watches that are b in the 1000-1300 Swiss franc segment. "We passed one million watches in 2011," von Känel revealed. "That means that we sell 6-7,000 watches a day of sales," he laughed, declining to comment on what markets will come after BRIC.
"Longines is everywhere. Right now in China there's no limit for the next ten years. As long as Longines stays focused and maintains our continuing production and consistent quality and development then we will stay on top of the world. As I tell my colleagues every year, we need to reach the magic numbers and stay positive," von Känel leaned in over the table to emphasize his remark.

 
WORLDTEMPUS - 14 November 2011

An independent transforming into a brand without losing its soul: this seems like an impossible task, but with Peter Speake-Marin, really, anything is possible.
This talented watchmaker named a brand after himself in 2000, but continued doing contract work for other watchmakers and companies up to 2008. Only in that year when the world seemed to go financially awry did Speake-Marin decide to fully focus on his own watches and invest all of his energy in this venture.
This also meant a change in strategy. While Speake-Marin previously focused on unique pieces that were often collaborative in nature - both with other artisans such as engraver Kees Engelbarts and the future owners of his bespoke pieces - since 2008 the London-born watchmaker working in Switzerland has tried to put something more like model lines on the market. This was achieved to great critical acclaim in the past two years with the Thalassa model and Speake-Marin's own Caliber SM2.

Spirit Pioneer
Making a huge splash at SalonQP, which closed on Saturday, was Speake-Marin's latest work of art: a 38 mm stainless steel beauty housed in his typical Piccadilly case. The case isn't the only element taken from previous Speake-Marin watches: the hands are also the same shape as those on the experienced watchmaker's original Foundation Watch, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. Turning the watch over, one finds Speake-Marin's typical rotor design winding Caliber FW2012.
The immediate question that enters a connoisseur of this brand's mind upon seeing this watch is certainly its departure in style: an aviation-style timepiece is definitely new within Speake-Marin's collection.
"Spirit is inspired by a timepiece I bought fifteen years ago when I was restoring antique pieces in Piccadilly," 43-year-old Speake-Marin explained at the event. "It was an authentic military watch from the first half of the twentieth century that I restored in my own time and wore regularly as my personal timekeeper. I always wanted to create my own piece based on this personal favorite and have toyed around with ideas to realize this ambition ever since I founded Speake-Marin."

That timepiece, a vintage Longines, seems to have meant much to him. However, this model symbolizes even more to Speake-Marin. First off, it is an "affordable" Speake-Marin released in part as a gesture to his many fans wishing to own one of his timepieces (retail price is 9,800 Swiss francs). This was made possible by the use of the rest of his stock of Caliber FW2012, a truly reliable ETA-based movement that he also used in the original Piccadilly line. The limitation of 68 pieces is a natural one dictated by the number of movements he had left.
Perhaps most striking, however, is the message engraved into the case back: "Fight, Love & Persevere." This is a personal message from the watchmaker, but also sort of a personal motto.

"The global economic downturn and natural disasters of the last few years have meant that people all over the world - myself included - have had to face up to increasing challenges that can test the limits of endurance," he explains. "But what has struck me in my experiences is the drive people possess to fight on, to adapt and to forge forward, with their capacity for love never diminishing. The themes of determination, tenacity and love were at the forefront of my mind when I created this timepiece and so I have paid tribute to them by christening it 'Spirit' and by engraving the motto on the case back."
Powerful and striking on so many levels, Speake-Marin's Spirit hit a real chord among the visitors to SalonQP, where the independent hall was literally buzzing. It would seem that the collection sold out.

WEEHAWKEN, NJ - May 25, 2011 - Michael Chen Zhao, the United States' representative for the 2011 Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament at Roland Garros, June 2-4, has been preparing both on and off the court in advance of his first international and clay court competition. The 12-year-old Princeton Junction, NJ native qualified for the Tournament following a victory at last month's U.S. Future Tennis Aces Tournament at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open, in Flushing Meadows, NY.

Zhao, currently ranked No. 11 in the USTA national 12-and-under division, will compete against athletes from 15 countries for a chance  to play in a doubles exhibition match with tennis legends Andre Agassi and Jim Courier on the historic red-clay courts at the French Open, and receive financing for tennis equipment until their 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines.

"I'm really excited and a little nervous about this really cool experience," said Zhao. "There will be a little pressure as well since this will be my first time at an international tournament. I'm preparing by training really hard and maybe getting a chance to hit on red clay before I go."

Zhao began playing tennis at 5-years-old and entered his first tournament by age 8. His best finish is a third-place result at a National Open event at the National Tennis Center and he has reached the quarterfinals of the USTA Winter National 12s Championship played the first week of January in Tucson, Arizona. He dominates his opponents using his powerful backhand and claims to model his ground strokes after his idol Novak Djokovic. "I like the form of his strokes and how much energy he has when he plays," he said. 

Longines Future Tennis Aces is part of the brand's global commitment to support and develop tennis' superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualified for the Paris event will have the opportunity to attend the French Open Women's Final on June 4. Longines is the official timekeeper and partner of the French Open.

Longines Future Tennis Aces World FINAL
Date: Saturday, June 4
Time: 10:15 am local time Paris
Location: Roland Garros courts 7

Andre Agassi and Jim Courier Exhibition Match featuring finalists from Longines Future Tennis Aces Tournament
Date: Saturday, June 4
Time: 11:15 am local Paris time
Location: Roland Garros courts 7

Press Conference with Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Longines President Walter Von Känel
Date: Saturday, June 4
Time:1:00-1:45 p.m. local Paris time
Location: Tenniseum at Roland Garros

Longines has succeeded for the first time in bringing together the day, the night and the phases of the moon in a symphony  of retrograde hands with a new timepiece that is named the Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases. The Longines Master Collection Retrograde is a combination of the brand's technical heritage and its unmistaken aesthetical quality. It is a line that uses a calibre that was specially developed for Longines. With its various retrograde functions this line has rapidly become the figurehead of The Longines Master Collection, which is a tribute to the brand's long watchmaking tradition. The exclusive movement has now been set in a case whose lines are even more refined and elegant.

The Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases
Thanks to a new exclusive movement, Longines has been successful in creating a watchmaking combination that has never been seen before. The day, the night and the phases of the moon have been brought together in a symphony of retrograde hands in a new timepiece named The Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases. This exceptional watch reveals the intricate symphony of four retrograde hands whose elegant movements are governed by the phases of the moon, the rhythms of day and night. In addition to displaying the hour, day, night and the phases of the moon, the functions of the Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases models include the day of the week at 12 o'clock, the date on the right-hand side of the dial, a 24-hour second time-zone on the left-hand side of the dial and a small seconds at 6 o'clock. These four functions are retrograde, in other words, the hands that display this information return immediately to their former position once they have completed their cycle. The elegant and harmonious movement of the six hands under the eye of the moon make this new creation totally captivating.

The Longines Master Collection Retrograde Moon Phases is available with a diameter of 41 mm or 44 mm. This striking timepiece will be available with a black dial and a black leather strap - to suit the phases of the moon, or attired for the day with a contrasting silvered dial, deep blue for the phases of the moon and a brown alligator strap.

The Longines Master Collection Retrograde
Housing an ETA calibre specially developed and produced exclusively for Longines, the Longines Master Collection Retrograde is a watch line that boasts sleek, elegant lines and is a true tribute to the brand. Offering retrograde functions (day, date, seconds, 24-hour second time-zone) and a self-winding movement, the Longines Master Collection Retrograde is the embodiment of cutting-edge mechanical horology and is easy to use. Today Longines has set this exclusive movement in a new, even sleeker case. The Longines Master Collection Retrograde also exists with a power reserve and three retrograde functions (day, date, 24-hour second time-zone).

With a diameter of 41 mm or 44 mm, the case of these timepieces enhances the elegant movement of the hands and also has discreet correctors for the retrograde functions, enabling the wearer to return the hands instantly to a given position if desired. The new models in the Longines Master Collection Retrograde have a silvered dial featuring black Roman numerals.

As part of The Longines Sport Collection, the Conquest line has been given extra sparkle thanks to the scattering of diamonds. A first glittering model is set with 120 diamonds around the bezel while a second model combines the brilliance of these precious stones with the strength of ceramic. The dynamic beauty of the Ladies Diamond Conquest models, achieved through a marriage of sporty design and glittering diamonds, echoes the fine balance between performance and elegance that characterises the Conquest line. Sporty women who appreciate elegance will find exactly what they are looking for in the new Ladies Diamond Conquest.

The Conquest line is aimed at those women who enjoy sport but are not willing to compromise on elegance. Thanks to the use of diamonds and the innovative combination with ceramic, the new models in this line add a touch of sophistication to the sporty beauty of Longines' range of products. With its delicate balance, the Ladies Diamond Conquest watch is the ideal watch to weapon many sporting occasions; during an equestrian competition, a tennis tournament or while having fun on the ski slopes, but in the same vein it will add a touch of elegance worn for a cocktail party or a formal dinner.

Ladies Diamond Conquest is available in two versions.
The first has a bezel set with 120 Top Wesselton VVS diamonds, with a white mother-of-pearl or a black dial set with 11 diamonds as indices. This glittering timepiece with its sporty elegance is mounted on a stainless steel or a black or white ceramic bracelet. The second version boasts a dynamic beauty which has been achieved by the use of ceramic embellished with 54 Top Wesselton VVS diamonds set around the inside of the bezel and on the dial. The bezel and the bracelet are reinforced by the use of white or black ceramic while the matching dial - white mother-of-pearl or black - completes the appeal of this model. A special version is also available mounted on a steel bracelet. The Ladies Diamond Conquest line now includes thus eight new models.

As with all the models in the line, the Ladies Diamond Conquest has a screw-in back cover while the crown has a lateral protection. These new models are water-resistant to 5 bar and the bracelets have a folding safety clasp. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 35 mm and houses a quartz movement that shows the hours, minutes, seconds and date.

Thanks to their delicate balance between performance and elegance, these robust timepieces are ideal for women who enjoy sport but at the same time appreciate refinement. The Ladies Diamond Conquest models have added a new dimension to the Conquest line thanks to the inclusion of diamonds and the combination of these precious gems with the strength of ceramic.

Dubai (UAE), 11 January 2011 - Longines is delighted to announce its new partnership with the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Endurance Cup. On the strength of its long standing involvement in equestrian sports and sports timing, the famous Swiss watchmaker will now be official partner and timekeeper for this prestigious event. In endurance competitions, the rider must be in perfect harmony with his or her horse in order to manage its pace over the set distance. Endurance riding requires intensive training, fine concentration, good judgement and a great deal of experience. In keeping with the noble character of this discipline, The Longines Master Collection Moon Phases in rose gold is the official watch for this event.

Taking place on 15 January in Dubai, the HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum Endurance Cup by Longines will bring together the world's leading endurance riders for the fourth consecutive year. Organised by the Dubai Equestrian Club, the competition will start at 6 a.m. in the Dubai International Endurance City and will be attended by a host of prestigious guests who will be able to follow the riders into the desert in vehicles provided specially for this purpose. Longines is proud to announce its involvement in this elegant event which demands tremendous discipline on the part of the riders, in terms of the training, precision and the total mastery of their horses' ability throughout the event.

During the competition the riders have to cover a distance of 160 km, managing their pace to the best advantage, which demands a high level of discipline and precision - values which are of great importance at Longines too. The rider must know his or her horse extremely well and be totally at ease with him in order to manage his pace. The competition is divided into 5 stages; between each stage the horses are refreshed and checked by a vet to ensure that they are not over-exerting themselves. It is not necessarily the first past the post who wins the competition; the horse's condition must also be checked by a vet and passed - only then will it be a true winner. In addition to the winner, the first 10 riders who cross the finishing line in the following hour may be awarded the prize for the Best Condition horse.

As a perfect example of its famous slogan "Elegance is an attitude", the Swiss watchmaker has chosen its Longines Master Collection Moon Phases as the official watch for the event. The rose gold case houses a self-winding L678.2 calibre. The silvered dial shows the phases of the Moon at 6 o'clock and the date at 12 o'clock as well as having a 24-hour hand at 9 o'clock. This watch also offers chronograph functions and is mounted on a brown leather strap or a rose gold bracelet with a folding safety clasp.

Longines is proud to be the official partner and timekeeper for the Roland Garros French Open. In an extension of this partnership with the world of tennis, Longines has also become the official timekeeper for the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championship and of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf, that legendary pair of champions, are also Ambassadors of Elegance for the Swiss watch brand.
Now Longines is extending its commitment within the world of tennis by sponsoring the "Real Tennis HD" game on the iPad.
Meet up with the greatest players on the circuit in the best tennis game on iPad! Use the "accelerometer" controls to serve, as well as a joystick for a truly intuitive control method! Participate in Career mode and progress in the various tournaments on clay, grass or synthetic courts. Test your racquet skills against your friends in local multiplayer mode!
Click here to download the "Real Tennis HD" game from the Apple Store.

Longines is pleased to announce that its elegant timepieces can be purchased safely and securely directly from the Manufacture. To extend its ongoing relationship, Longines has created a virtual shop for buyers' convenience.

shop.us.longines.comClients are invited to acquire genuine Longines timepieces available online exclusively at shop.us.longines.com or at one of the brand's many fine retail locations across the country ( http://www.longines.com/retailers)

" Watchmaking has always fascinated me", says Walter von Känel, who spent his childhood from 1945 at the top of the Saint-Imier Valley in the Bernois Jura, the heart of Swiss watchmaking. " When I was a boy, the great Longines company in the foothills of Saint-Imier, where most of the people of our region worked, always impressed me, and I was convinced that one day, I was going to work there. Already at that time, watchmaking was the life of our region, and I knew that one day it would enable me to discover the world."
Walter von Känel's professional career started with the Federal Authorities, where he worked as a technical officer in the Customs Departments. In 1964, he joined Jean Singer Ltd., a watch dials and cases manufacturer in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
After a few years in the Industrial Accounts, Logistics and Sales Departments, he joined the Longines Watch Company Francillon Ltd. as a Sales Executive. Shortly after, he was sent to the USA for a training course with Longines' American agent: LONGINES - WITTNAUER WATCH Co. LTD in New York. His passion for watchmaking, his abilities, his talent as a negotiator and his b personality are all qualities that enabled him to climb the ladder quickly. In 1988, after having worked as a Sales Executive and then as a Commercial Executive (Sales and Marketing), he was entrusted with Longines' General Management.
In 1990, Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman of The Swatch Group Ltd., requested him to join the Group's enlarged management. The many years that Walter von Känel served in the Swiss Army as an officer in the militia have enabled this former Major in an Infantry Regiment to acquire ground expertise in the fields of human resources management and general organization.Biography of Walter von Känel, President of LonginesDate of birth: September 1, 1941, in Schwerin, Germany
Nationality: Swiss
Marital status: Married, 2 children
Education: Commercial studies and apprenticeship with Nussle SA, La Chaux-de-Fonds
Many proficiency and advanced training courses in Switzerland and abroad 
Hobbies: Target shooting, running, long distance skiing, regional historyProfessional Career 
Federal Authority in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Bienne and Brigue
Customs technical officer
Jean Singer Ltd., La Chaux-de-Fonds
Various duties in the Industrial Accounts, Logistics and Sales Departments
Longines Watch Co. Francillon Ltd., Saint-Imier
Sales Executive
Sales Department Manager
Sales and Marketing Manager
Longines Watch Co. Francillon Ltd., Saint-Imier
President
The Swatch Group Ltd.
Member of the Group's enlarged management