Auguste Agassiz and two partners formed the company which eventually became Longines Watches, in 1832. He was the brother of the world renowned naturalist Louis Agassiz. Agassiz became the head of the company in 1846, because the family had connections in the United States, which made it more successful. The company opened the Longines factory and created their first timepiece movement in 1867.
Innovations by Longines
The 20A was the first watch movement created by the company when Ernest Francillon founded the company. The watch movement was controlled by a pendant winding and setting mechanism. The new creation was well received and won an award at the Paris Universal Exhibition. The company introduced and patented its first chronometer movement in 1867. The chronograph movement became one of the most important timepiece movements manufactured by Longines Watches.
The La Renommée pocket watch won an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900. The company continued to win more Grand Prix events in watchmaking than any other manufacturer. The company started creating watch cases in different shapes in 1916, and produced an array of calibres in oval and rectangular shapes. The company became the supplier for the International Aeronautical Federation, early in the 20th century. The first self-winding movement was introduced to the market in 1945.
Longines Watches Collections
The Longines Master Collection was introduced in 2005 and was an instant success. The collection now includes an array of styles with black dials and in yellow or pink gold. The watches are known for their precise timekeeping ability and classic style. The Saint-Imier Collection was named for the village in which the company was founded. The Longines Sports Collection includes Hydroconquest models, designed to be durable and reliable, no matter what the conditions.
The Heritage Collections was designed to honor the earliest pioneers in the watchmaking industry. Among the watches designed for re-issue in this collection are replicas of the watches used by Charles Lindbergh and Captain Philip van Horn Weems. Elegance styles designed for women include Longines DolceVita watches created using steel, yellow, or rose gold, with diamond settings on selected models. Longines PrimaLuna models are designed to create the illusion of silvery stars. La Grande Classique de Longines watches have a classic, timeless look.
Classic Longines Styles
The Conquest Heritage style L1.611.8.52.4 is a creation in 18 carat rose gold with a Hesalite crystal and black dial, displays hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The watch is designed with a self-winding movement with 38 reserve hours of power. The bracelet is a black alligator strap.
The Longines model L4.308.0.97.6 is a water-resistant watch created of stainless steel with a sapphire crystal, blue dial, and quartz movement. The Longines PrimaLuna model L8.109.5.89.6 is an elegant ladies watch created from stainless steel and 18 carat pink gold. The case features diamonds and has a mother-of-pearl dial.
Longines Watches is a sponsor for events around the world including the Hampton Classic Horse Show, the Longines Global Champions Tour of London, and the Archery World Cup Stage 4 Wroclaw, and is the official timekeeper for numerous sports events.