Longines Master Collection Big Date (L2.648.4.51.7)

Press release

Kwok plays the starring role in this film based on a famous story from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). The great heritage of the Chinese movie reminds the Swiss watch brand of its horological development and long-standing relationship with China during the same period as the story in time. Chronological records of an invoice states the shipment of the first Longines watch to China dates back to 1867. Longines was happy to congratulate Aaron Kwok on his new exciting movie and to sponsor the after film Party in Berlin by presenting him the brand's latest watchmaking achievement: The Longines Master Collection Retrograde watch, which summarizes the brand's legendary watchmaking development since the Qing Dynasty.
Aaron Kwok, Longines Ambassador of Elegance since 2005, is one of the most popular artist's in Asia. His outstanding performances as a dancer, singer and actor have earned him more than a hundred awards since the beginning of his career. With his many creative talents it was naturally not long before the film industry approached him. Success came immediately as Kwok won the award for best leading actor for his film "Divergence" at the Golden Horse Award in 2005. Only a year later he repeated this achievement by winning for the second time the award for his extraordinary performance in the feature film "After This Our Exile". Now his success story has brought him to his second European Film Festival (after the Rome Film Festival in 2006) here in Berlin, where he will disclose his latest movie "Empire of Silver" as a World Premiere.

In this movie, Aaron Kwok embodies "Third Master", an idealistic and hedonistic young man. Heir to a banking empire, who, despite his father's pressure, struggles to find his own way in life. The Father and son's relationship is complicated by their antagonistic sense of moral and ethical values. Moreover, "Third Master" is deeply in love with his beautiful stepmother.
Embarking on a metaphysical journey, "Third Master" must decide whether to follow his father's path or find his own way. Greed, deception and jealousy surface under the pressures of war and the impending change from silver to paper bills.
This wonderful historical Chinese movie reminds the Swiss watch brand of its rich history of over 175 years of watchmaking craftsmanship and especially of its long-standing relationship with China. In fact, China was one of the first countries where Longines exported its watches to from its manufacture in Switzerland. The record of an invoice shows that the very first Longines watch has already been sold and shipped to China during the Qing Dynasty in 1867.

 
It was a great pleasure for Longines to offer the after film party and to hand over The Longines Master Collection Retrograde watch in rose gold, the elegant flagship piece to Aaron Kwok during the party as symbol of respect and congratulations on his outstanding performance. This very special timepiece, highlighting the horological traditions of the brand, encloses a new calibre, especially and exclusively developed for Longines. Offering retrograde functions (day, date, second, second time zone on a 24-hour scale) in a movement with automatic rewinding, The Longines Master Collection Retrograde combines a mechanical horological complication with simple usage.
Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World's leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.