Longines celebrates its 185th anniversary in Singapore with an exhibition that retraces the rich history of the brand that sports the winged hourglass, from 1832 to today. In the 185th anniversary exhibition, visitors can discover various vintage watch models and timing devices, a range of exceptional photographs, posters, films and archive records, as well as the state-of-the-art recent models of the brand.
The 185th anniversary exhibition retraces the fascinating history of the brand known by its winged hourglass logo across the ages. At the same time it provides evidence of one of the greatest histories of Swiss watchmaking and of a heritage born of tradition, elegance and performance.
Auguste Agassiz started producing watches in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, in a watchmaking comptoir in 1832. In 1867, his nephew Ernest Francillon transformed this comptoir into a true factory. He built it below the village, on the banks of the river, in the location known as Es Longines. This name would then become the name of the brand. As early as 1867, Longines was using the winged hourglass symbol and the tradename “Longines” as a guarantee of quality in order to combat counterfeit products. And this is still the case today.
In its first decades, the brand focused on solid pocket watches and then diversified into extraflat pieces that were sometimes decorated like real pieces of jewellery. The first wristwatches appeared before the end of the 19th century. They were intended for ladies who were already used to adorning their wrists. Gentlemen gradually ended up following the trend.
Longines has made all sorts of innovations during its long history. It was a pioneer in mechanizing watchmaking at the end of the 19th century. Longines was side by side with the boldest adventurers in the first half of the 20th century thanks to its devices with cutting-edge precision. It has timed all sports. It has launched avant-garde quartz watches. It knew how to interpret the changes in tastes and habits of its clientele.
Today, after 185 years of watchmaking performance, Longines offers the best models in its history, with the Conquest V.H.P. quartz models and the mechanical precision of the Record chronometers.
The three fundamental values of Longines are part of its rich history, revisited in the 185th-anniversary exhibition with pieces that are exceptionally showcased outside the Longines Museum:
Tradition, because the brand has known three centuries.
Performance, to celebrate the endless technical innovations that continue to push the envelope.
Elegance, echoing Longines original motto: “Elegance is an attitude”.
Visitors can look forward to discovering vintage watch models and timing devices from the Longines Museum such as pocket watches that highlights Longines’ expertise in Watchmaking, elegant timepieces, Sports Chronographs, Chronometers and adventure timepieces. The Longines 185th anniversary exhibition is available for public viewing from 17 – 22 Oct at Marina Square – Central Atrium and will travel to VivoCity – Central Court A from 14 – 19 Nov. 2017
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