The history of the Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon SA,the history of Longines, begins in Saint Imier, Switzerland, at the hands of watchmaker Auguste Agassiz. Pioneer in the development of numerous technological advances within thehistory of watchmaking, since this time theLongines watchesThey created a reputation for quality that extended beyond the Swiss border. An important character inbrand historyIt was Ernest Francillon, considered the man behind the innovations that have been the hallmark of the firm. He was mainly responsible for the evolution towards a watchmaking manufacture as well as the creation of the brand's first caliber, the 20A. From this mechanism,Longinesbegins its upward development and produces its first simple chronograph movement with which it enters the world of timekeeping focusing on high precision adjustment. In the 1880s,Longinesand its logo – a winged hourglass – are registered in the property registry, becoming the oldest registered trademark in thehistory of watchmaking.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, innovations followed one another andLonginesreorganizes its operation and methods to deal with the use of wristwatches. Among his historical decisions is that of changing the shapes of the pieces from round symmetries to oval and rectangular ones, creating a trend for the time.Longinesis associated with the world of adventure and sports, providing certified and high-precision pieces for athletes and explorers such as the first electromechanical timing system based on the thread breaking system.
During the first half of the 20th century,Longinesaccumulates experience in design and creates legendary watches such as the different versions of the 13ZN or mechanical timing equipment based on 24-line calibers with a precision of 1/100th of a second. It also launches its first automatic movement, the caliber 22A, which represents a challenge for the brand. Likewise, it creates instruments for controlling watches such as the so-called Vibrograph and develops highly precise and reliable navigation instruments for aviation. Here the Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch stands out, which synchronizes the second hand with a GTM signal, and the Lindbergh Hour Angle watch, which made it easy to calculate the location quickly and easily.
In the following decades and with creativity always in mind,Longinesdevelops self-winding line calibers, intended to offer an alternative to the electronics and quartz used by competitors. As far as the world of quartz is concerned,Longinescreates its first watch made of this material and various calibers such as the L6512 or the Feuille d'Or model. ThisLongines watchIt is a technical feat as it is the first watch that is below 2mm with an extremely thin caliber. Along these same lines, it develops the caliber L990, which becomes the world's thinnest automatic movement in its category. with this watchthe brandreinforces the range of mechanical movements at a time when quartz prevails among watch manufacturers. From this moment on,Longinesdevelops a whole line of ultra-thin watches with tiny calibers like the L961.
LonginesHe also worked on the creation of very precise measuring instruments such as the Chronocinégines that provides a detailed view of sports finals. He also created the Longines LCD in collaboration with Ebauche SA and Texas Instrument Incorporated and which, unlike the rest of the brand's pieces, presents a digital display thanks to a liquid crystal screen. This watchLonginesIt is the first of its kind to hit the market.
In 1983,the brandIt joins the SMH (Société Suisse de Microélectronique et d’Horlogerie), currently Swatch Group, where it has continued to evolve in the same precepts that gave rise to it. In recent decadesLongineshas created high-precision calibers such as the VHP, which with its thermocompensating design allows the models that carry it - such as those in the Conquest collection - to be extremely precise.
The current collections ofLonginesThey are divided into four groups: elegant, traditional, sporty and heritage, which include mechanical and automatic movements with various functions developed by the brand. Watches in each of these groups have distinctive features, such as the ultra-thin profile of the elegant ones. Among them you can find the Prima Luna collections – totally dedicated to women –, Grand Classique by Longines and Dolce Vita.
Associated with sports, the brandLonginesmaintains this essence with the Hydroconquest and Conquest collections with very innovative technical features and details such as the shape of the bezel and the cabochon crown. The Heritage collection combines the original aesthetics of historical models with the most modern watchmaking techniques. Here you will find legendary models such as the reissue of the watch designed for Charles Linderbergh (Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch), the Weems Second-Setting Watch, which pays tribute to the navigation system of Commander Philip van Horn Weems, or the Twenty-Four Hours, developed in the 1950s for Swissair company pilots.
With more than 180 uninterrupted years of watchmaking heritage, Longines is at the forefront of innovations, always combining precision and elegance and re-interpreting trends in the world of watches.luxury watches.
Curiosities from the history of Longines
- Longines is the watchmaker with the largest number of Grand Prix awards at world exhibition events.
- For 10 years, Longines was the official timekeeper of Formula 1 races.
- The first woman to cross the Atlantic alone on several occasions, Amelia Earhart, wore a Longines watch on her wrist during the flight.
- Personalities such as Aaron Kwok Fu Shing, Andre Agassi, Chi Ling Lin, Kate Winslet, Simon Baker and Stefanie Graf are the main ambassadors of the brand.
- The Chronocinégines, a timing instrument created by Longines in 1954, was used to record Donald Campbell's world land speed record.
- Longines has more than 160 patents for new watch movements and technical innovations in Switzerland.
- Longines is the official timekeeper of events of the International Equestrian Federation, archery world cups, the French Open Tennis, alpine skiing events, among others.
- Longines has been present in 28 Olympic Games, nearly 180 World Championships, 9 Asian Games, 11 Commonwealth Games, 11 Mediterranean Games, 13 Pan American Games.
Do you want to know more about Longines? Get opinions and comparisons about Longines in the Special Watches Forum.
