Longines
Longines is one of the five most popular watchmaking brands in the world. It owes its popularity to the quality of its movements, to its both modern and vintage-looking dials and cases, as well as to its strong link to an era when aeroplanes were an adrenaline-fueled passion of explorers rather than just a means of transport as they are today. The Swiss brand Longines is also a long-time supporter of Alpine skiing and related skiing disciplines and is loved by men and women on every continent in the world. Longines ambassadors include famous artists, athletes, and actors such as Kate Winslet and Jennifer Lawrence – which might be why Longines is popular with younger generations, too.
Aviation
Czech pilots and aviation aficionados will be attracted to the Longines Pilot “Majetek” model, last introduced in 2023 and inspired by the 1935 heritage model commissioned by the Czechoslovak army.
The watch’s cushion shape sits perfectly on the wrist, while the bezel and other characteristic features of the dial are designed in the spirit of the original model – ref. 3582.
Pioneering spirit
Longines stands for legendary watches and a pioneering spirit. Since the beginning of its existence in 1832, Longines has been one of the most progressive watch manufacturers, setting the tempo in the watchmaking industry. Improvements, patents, first place prizes – the list is long, and it certainly should not be forgotten.
Longines is the brand that in 1935 offered customers the first wristwatch in the world featuring a rotating bezel, and that five years later introduced its patented flyback chronograph. 1954 is the year that marks the first Longines electronic quartz clock. Longines used this know-how in 1969 when it introduced one of the first quartz wristwatches available on the market. In 1959, Longines introduced the high-frequency 5Hz movement, which won several chronometric awards, and then in 1967 followed up with the Ultra-Chron collection.
Tradition
major watch producers in the world while at the same time successfully preserving its authenticity. Its strong roots remain in Saint-Imier, and people here are proud of their work for Longines.
Longines is also one of the few brands to have a complete archive of their models. This allows owners of original vintage pieces to request an Authenticity Certificate that includes information on where and by whom the watch was sold. Longines also has an archive of replacement parts, so its watchmakers can repair pieces over a hundred years old. The breathtaking Longines Museum at Longines headquarters is yet another proof that history is both a source of inspiration and an assurance for the future.
Elegance
Besides its pilot watches, Longines is also appreciated for its elegant models worn by women and men all around the world. Back when watch models stopped being referenced by number only and started to be given names, Longines created its very first Conquest collection, introducing the first models from this line in 1954. Over the years, the Conquest line has transformed and is now one of the sportier Longines collections.
The Flagship line, first introduced in 1957, has retained its utmost elegance. The La Grande Classique, introduced in 1992, is an iconic and most elegant Longines line. Watches from this collection have been a bestseller ever since they were introduced – perhaps due to their slim cases and characteristic, unique method for strap attachment.
Ambassadors
Longines is proud of its long-term partnerships and always promotes authenticity. Thirteen years ago, the company joined forces with British actress Kate Winslet, an Oscar winner who has portrayed many unforgettable characters. Winslet uses the proceeds from the partnership to finance her non-profit Golden Hat Foundation, which works in support of autistic children.
Another Oscar-winning actress, 33-year-old Jennifer Lawrence, doesn’t really do social media – but Longines doesn’t mind. Lawrence is the perfect ambassador for its Mini DolceVita collection.
Other Longines ambassadors include top skiers in the world as well as supermodel Barbara Palvin; however, most ambassadors are from the world of horse riding.
Horse Riding
Longines manufactured its first watch with an equestrian motif in 1869; the pocket monopusher chronograph became widely used by jockeys and horse riders in America. In 1880, Longines became the official supplier of watches for athletes in the horse-riding world.
Longines is the main partner of the most famous equestrian events and races in the world: the Kentucky Derby in U.S. city of Louisville, the Royal Ascot racecourse near the Windsor Royal Castle in Great Britain, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe flat horse race in Paris, France, and the Spring Festival in Baden-Baden in Germany all take place under the sponsorship and with timekeeping systems by Longines. The brand also sponsors the top jockeys and show jumpers.
More about Longines
In 2025, our company Carollinum acquired the Swiss brand Longines, one of the most popular watch brands in the world, which offers a truly wide range of watches. Highly elegant models alternate with chronographs, calendars or moonphase watches, and there are also popular divers or pilots for men and women.The Longines slogan is "Elegance is an attitude" and is based on the idea that every woman (and man) has the right to express her elegance and style in her own way. In the brand's wide portfolio, there is something for the true lady, the youthful rebel or the true gentleman.
The brand’s history
Since its foundation in 1832, Longines has considered precision and innovation as the core of its efforts. The brand’s founders, Auguste Agassiz and Ernest Francillon, were pioneers in their field who always sought the most efficient solutions. They were not afraid of being different – quite the contrary. Since the beginning of production – the original Manufacture building in Saint-Imier was built in 1867 – the brand has had a strong connection to equestrianism. Longines created its first watch with an equestrian motif as early as 1869 and, only nine years later, watchmaker Alfred Lugrin made history by assembling the first monopusher crown chronograph – the 20H calibre – and inserting it in a case engraved with a jockey and his mount. Not long after, Longines became the official supplier of sports watches for horse riders in the United States. In 1912, Longines introduced the first system of electromechanical sports timing systems for the starting and finishing lines at sports tournaments and races. That same year, Longines became the official partner of a show jumping event in Portugal and remains close to the world of horse riding to this day.Other technological milestones have also helped Longines advance its position. During World War I, Longines supplied Russian pilots with wrist chronographs – a very non-standard solution back then – and in 1925 started manufacturing two-pusher flyback chronographs. This stopwatch function was mainly used by pilots at the time. Longines kept strengthening its potential in aviation, supplying the market with navigation timepieces that featured a rotating dial that could synchronize with radio time. A timepiece inspired by pilot Charles A. Lindbergh, equipped with a rotating bezel, made it possible to calculate geographical position by the stars.
However, the spirit of the brand is not all about timepieces for pilots, navigators, explorers, and athletes; it is also about its elegant and original designs. The first Longines rectangular wrist models were designed as early as 1920; the elegant collections Flagship and Conquest were created in the 1950s and have remained popular to this day.
Its innovative approach helped Longines get through what was a particularly difficult period for the Swiss watchmaking industry. Longines adapted to the quartz era by developing its quartz movements, which have become one of the best in the market. Today, Longines is part of the Swatch Group, and its current CEO is Matthias Breschan.