An Inspiring
Legacy

A Watchmaking
History

A Timekeeping
Expertise

The Pioneer Spirit Lives On

Since its beginning, the story of Longines is characterized by a pioneering spirit, a quest for precision and a timeless vision of elegance. This has led renowned pioneers and sports organisations from around the world to call for Longines' timepieces and timekeeping expertise.

Play the video
Scroll to continue

From a Family Business
to a Global Brand

image-bg
Legacy Father

Auguste Agassiz & Ernest Francillon - Longines founders

Auguste Agassiz (1809-1877) teamed up with fellow watchmakers in 1832 to create a watchmaking workshop in the Swiss village of Saint-Imier. At that time, components were produced in the homes of watchmakers, before being assembled at the workshop.

In 1852, his nephew, Ernest Francillon took over the operations of the workshop. A man of vision, he decided to build-up a factory. Not only did he bring all the talented artisans together under one roof, he also established a mechanized production system to ensure the highest quality and precision.

The Longines Factory

Built on a field known locally as "Es Longines", Francillon decided to keep this name for the company and created the Longines brand.

The Longines factory was inaugurated in 1867 and has continued its operations at the same place ever since.

1867
Legacy Factory

1867

Legacy Factory

1911

Legacy Factory

1966

Legacy Factory

Today

The Oldest Trademark
In Watchmaking

Francillon proved to be a pioneer in protecting his products against counterfeits. He ensured that all timepieces leaving the factory were engraved with a serial number, the trade name Longines and its winged hourglass symbol.

As soon as a Swiss law protecting trademarks was introduced in 1880, Francillon registered his. In 1889, he took the opportunity to present the Longines name and winged hourglass at the newly formed Federal Office of Intellectual Property (OFPI). When the new United International Bureaux, forerunner of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was established, he extended his trademark to cover international markets.

logo1867
logo1874
logo1881
logo1882
logo1889
logo1905
logo1925
logo1930
logo1940
logo1942
logo1954
logo1957
logo1965
logo1974

Today Longines remains the oldest watch brand trademarked in the International Registry at WIPO.

Watchmaking Milestones
1878
1908
1911
1913
1925
1925
1928
1931
1936
1937
1942
1954
1957
1959
1959
1967
1969
1979
1992
1997
2005
2020
First chronograph pocket watch
First chronograph pocket watch

The 20H calibre was the first mechanism manufactured by Longines that was used for precision timing. Fitted in a case engraved with a jockey and his mount, stopwatches powered by this calibre were seen on American horse racing tracks in the 1880s.

First pocket watch indicating two time zones
First pocket watch indicating two time zones

This timepiece equipped with double minute and hour hands, was developed for Constantinople (today Istanbul), to convert Turkish time to Western time. A patent was filed in 1911.

One of the World's first wrist-chronographs
One of the World's first wrist-chronographs

Intended for Russian pilots, this very early wrist-chronograph was powered by the Longines calibre 19.73N.

First compact-sized chronograph calibre for a wristwatch
First compact-sized chronograph calibre for a wristwatch

With its 29mm in diameter, the calibre 13.33Z represented the blueprint for modern chronographs. Amelia Earhart, a pioneering American pilot, wore a similar model during her two Atlantic crossings in 1928 and 1932.

First wristwatch indicating a second time zone
First wristwatch indicating a second time zone

This timepiece was used by radio operators on ships to convert local time to universal world time (UTC+0 or Zulu Time) with the help of an additional hour hand. The two red wedges are indicating periods of radio silence reserved for emergency calls.

First wrist-chronograph with two independent pushers and flyback function
First wrist-chronograph with two independent pushers and flyback function

The flyback mechanism enabled to reset and start a new timing sequence with a single press of the push-button. It was a key function for aviators to precisely measure flight stages and to start new ones while flying at high speed. The pictured model dates from 1928.

Innovative Pilot's watch with inner rotating dial
Innovative Pilot's watch with inner rotating dial

Named The Longines Weems Second Setting Watch, it was designed in collaboration with Philip Van Horn Weems (1889-1979), of the US Navy. This timepiece was sought after by many navigators and pilots. Thanks to the inner rotating dial, it enabled its wearer to synchronize the watch precisely to a radio time signal. This function ensured accurate timing, which is key in navigation.

First wristwatch with an engraved rotating bezel
First wristwatch with an engraved rotating bezel

This timepiece was inspired by the achievement of pilot Charles A. Lindbergh who crossed the Atlantic in a non-stop flight in 1927. Named the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch, it was used by pilots in conjunction with a sextant and a nautical almanac and enabled them to calculate their geographical position with the help of the stars.

First serial chronograph with flyback function
First serial chronograph with flyback function

Named calibre 13ZN, it is one of the most technologically advanced chronograph movements of that time. Longines filed a patent for the flyback mechanism in 1935, which was granted in 1936.

First truly waterproof chronograph
First truly waterproof chronograph

This iconic chronograph featured unique mushroom-shaped pushers to keep the watch waterproof. A patent was filed in 1938.

Sophisticated version of the chronograph movement 13ZN
Sophisticated version of the chronograph movement 13ZN

Named calibre 13ZN12, this chronograph indicated the elapsed 60 minutes by the large red hand in the center. It was easier to read than the generally used sub-dial. Instead, the auxiliary dial on the right served as a 12 hours counter.

Launch of the first product family of Longines
Launch of the first product family of Longines

The Conquest Collection marked the first step in a new product development strategy: the introduction of product families. Registered in Switzerland on April 3rd 1954, Conquest was the first product family established.

Launch of the second product family
of Longines
Launch of the second product family of Longines

The elegant Flagship collection had a distinctive medallion featuring a caravel engraved on the case back.

Iconic diver's watch with a rotatable inner disc
Iconic diver's watch with a rotatable inner disc

Today called Legend Diver, this timepiece was waterproof to 120m and featured a bidirectional rotatable inner disc, operated by the second crown. Having it inside enabled to protect it from underwater obstacles.

World's first high-frequency wrist-chronometer
World's first high-frequency wrist-chronometer

Oscillating at 36,000 beats an hour, the calibre 360 won 1st and 2nd place in the competition of the most accurate watch at the Observatory of Neuchâtel in 1961.

Most accurate mechanical wristwatch, beating at high-frequency
Most accurate mechanical wristwatch, beating at high-frequency

Named Ultra-Chron, it was more accurate than a chronometer. This high-frequency watch had a guaranteed accuracy of "one minute a month", which corresponds to two seconds a day. Oscillating at 36,000 beats an hour, it was inspired by the calibre 360 and offered a mechanical alternative to the emerging electronic movements used.

First quartz-controlled wristwatch
First quartz-controlled wristwatch

Named Ultra-Quartz, it was more accurate than any other production wristwatch. Longines has developed its own quartz movement for this timepiece.

First timepiece breaking the 2mm thickness barrier
First timepiece breaking the 2mm thickness barrier

Named Feuille d'Or ("Gold Leaf"), this quartz watch was only 1.98mm thick. It was a wonder of technological achievement.

Iconic elegant and slim timepiece featuring unique lugs
Iconic elegant and slim timepiece featuring unique lugs

Named La Grande Classique de Longines, it is a symbol of Longines' classic elegance and timeless sophistication.

Iconic rectangular shaped timepiece
Iconic rectangular shaped timepiece

Named Longines DolceVita, it was inspired by a rectangular model from the 1920s. This line was introduced as an ode to the Italian "dolce vita".

A tribute to the watchmaking traditions of Longines
A tribute to the watchmaking traditions of Longines

Entirely composed of models with mechanical movements, the Longines Master Collection was created.

A tribute to the pioneering legacy of Longines in aviation
A tribute to the pioneering legacy of Longines in aviation

Named the Longines Spirit collection, this line is designed in the same manner as the timepieces of pioneering aviators who relied on Longines to realize their feats.

Drag to discover
1878
2020
Longines' Milestones in Timekeeping
1912
1914
1916
1945
1949
1953
1956
1956
2010
First system of electromechanical sports timing for the starting and finish lines
First system of electromechanical sports timing for the starting and finish lines

This device was first introduced at the Federal Gymnastics Festival in Basel. When the athlete broke the wire, it respectively triggered the start or stop of the timer.

First stopwatch with a high-frequency movement of 36,000 beats an hour
First stopwatch with a high-frequency movement of 36,000 beats an hour

It was used to measure the 1/10th of a second.

First stopwatch with a high-frequency movement of 360,000 beats an hour
First stopwatch with a high-frequency movement of 360,000 beats an hour

It was used to measure the 1/100th of a second.

Photoelectric-cell-based light beam barrier device
Photoelectric-cell-based light beam barrier device

Following the essays of 1937, Longines used this device for a ski race in Montana. It replaced the broken-wire system as the interception of the light beam activated or stopped the pushers of the chronograph.

Fully automatic timekeeping instrument including Longines' first quartz clock for sports timing
Fully automatic timekeeping instrument including Longines' first quartz clock for sports timing

Named the Chronocaméra, this high-precision device instantly reacted to a signal and gave photographed times in 4 seconds. It recorded the order, numbers of starts, finishes as well as the hour, minute, second and the hundredth of a second.

An innovative system coupled to a quartz clock for sports timing at the finish line
An innovative system coupled to a quartz clock for sports timing at the finish line

Named the Longines Chronocinégines, it featured a 16mm camera coupled to a quartz-clock. This innovative device provided judges with a series of images of athletes at the finish line taken every hundredth of a second. It was very useful as it provided an evidence of who had crossed the finish line first.

Revolutionary permanent recording process coupled to a quartz clock for the finish line
Revolutionary permanent recording process coupled to a quartz clock for the finish line

Named Contifort, this system printed the position in time and space of athletes at the finish line. It gave indications corresponding to the hundredth of a second.

Double-track printer-equipped chronograph based on a quartz device
Double-track printer-equipped chronograph based on a quartz device

Named Chronotypogines, this high-precision device recorded time on a paper strip. It indicated the hours, minutes, seconds, tenths and hundredths of a second. It also gave the possibility to appreciate the thousandth of a second. Certified by the Neuchâtel Observatory, it was used for the timing of races and world speed records.

High-precision device measuring to the millionth of a second
High-precision device measuring to the millionth of a second

Named Quantum Timer, it is the latest reference in sports timekeeping.

Drag to discover
1912
2010

arrow-right

Timing
Equestrian Sports

1912 - Today

From its foundation to the present day, Longines has always had a close relationship with the world of horses. In fact, Longines’ first chronograph movement of 1878 has been fitted in a case engraved with a jockey and his mount. These stopwatches have been seen on American racetracks in the 1880s and proved to be extremely popular among jockeys and horse lovers alike.

watch

In 1912, a new step was taken when Longines concluded its first official partnership with a show jumping event in Lisbon, Portugal. The following century, countless equestrian competitions benefited from the quality and reliability of Longines' timekeeping devices.

photographer
horse

Since 2013, Longines is the Official Timekeeper and the Official Watch for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Timing
Alpine Skiing

1924 - Today

Skiing down snowy mountains ranks among the most popular sports in Longines’ home country of Switzerland. In 1924, the brand timed its first ski race in Switzerland. Some years later, the stopwatches from Saint-Imier were timing the World Ski Championships in Chamonix (France).

Over the years Longines developed key innovative equipments to meet the specific needs of Alpine Skiing such as: high-beat skiing timers with split-second hand (1939), electromechanical gates (1950) and devices enabling the direct display of sports results on television screens worldwide (1971).

skier
skier-mobile

Since 2006, Longines is the Official Main Partner and Official Timekeeper of the International Skiing Federation (FIS). The brand continues to time all Alpine Ski World Cup and World Championships events.

Timing
Formula 1

1933 - 1992

In 1949 Longines introduced its Chronocaméra – a fully automatic instrument giving photographed times and capable of measuring up to the hundredth of a second. It was so convincing that the International Automobile Federation certified it in 1950.

In the same year, the inaugural season of Formula 1, Longines timed the famous Grand Prix de Monaco. The brand was already timing car races in the 1930s, but these were called "Grand Prix" as Formula 1 did not exist yet.

formula
car

In the early 1980s, Longines developed new timekeeping devices to individually track each competitor, a solution that was soon adopted by the International Automobile Federation.

commentator

This led to Longines’ role as Official Timekeeper for all Formula 1 races from 1982 to 1992.

Timing
Rallye Sports

1949 - 1985

In January 1949, cars from all over Europe participated in the first edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo after World War II. Timekeeping was entrusted to Longines, a status it held for more than 30 years.

In 1955, the brand from Saint-Imier launched a special punch printing device, called Printogines. Equipped with a clock with a 8-day power reserve, it allowed contestants to punch their own control card at each checkpoint over the more than 5,000km distance. The reliable and robust device was determining official winning time on the base of the pilot's recorded passages through all checkpoints. It was so useful that it was appointed to time all the famous rallies of that time.

rallye
rallyeStart

From the Coupe des Alpes, the RAC Rally of Great Britain, the TAP Rallye in Portugal, the Thousand Lakes in Finland, the Rallye Acropolis in Greece, to the Rallye de Côte d'Ivoire in Africa, Longines continued to time countless rallies until 1985.

Timing
Cycling Races

1951 - 1987

In 1951, Longines has been asked to time the world’s leading cycling event: the Tour de France.

bycicle race

In the same year, the inaugural season of Formula 1, Longines timed the famous Grand Prix de Monaco. The brand was already timing car races in the 1930s, but these were called "Grand Prix" as Formula 1 did not exist yet.

In the early 1980s, Longines developed new timekeeping devices to individually track each competitor, a solution that was soon adopted by the International Automobile Federation.

This led to Longines’ role as Official Timekeeper for all Formula 1 races from 1982 to 1992.

chrono

For over 35 years, Longines has been the Official Timekeeper of this legendary cycling race.

Timing the
Commonwealth
Games

1962 - Today

Since 1962, Longines is also the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the Commonwealth Games. At each edition, Longines' timekeepers, scorers, sporting specialists and data handlers make their expertise and devices available to the sporting federations and the talented athletes from throughout the Commonwealth. For the timekeeping of the 2022 edition, a dedicated team of over 200 specialists was involved.

swim
running rowing

This partnership highlights the ingenuity and accuracy of Longines' timekeeping instruments.

Back to Top

Next section
A Watchmaking History
timekeeping
Go to
Next section
timekeeping

Defined by a Pioneer Spirit

Since its beginning in 1832, Longines is characterized by a pioneer spirit. It was always pushing to improve the accuracy, precision and functionality of its watches. The result was utterly pioneering watchmaking.
image image
Founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, a town in Swiss Jura mountains, Longines developed, as early as 1878, its first instrument for timing sport events: a chronograph pocket watch with a monopusher crown. Some years later, in 1889, Longines was already able to measure to 1/5 of a second. The 1880s marked the start of Longines glorious history of sports timing at horse racing events in the United States. By working as a professional timekeeper of sporting events in nearly all disciplines and as a manufacturer of instruments for professionals like pilots, navigators, explorers and sportsmen,

The following chapters give you some insights in the adventures of pioneers that trusted the precision timing of Longines. These timepieces were not built to make headlines in newspapers, but simply to answer the needs of aviators or explorers searching the very best tools available in those days. To be a pioneer was – and still is – first of all a state of mind. The courageous personalities portrayed in our booklet share the same mental power that enables them to overcome any obstacles and boundaries.
Longines learnt a lot by working on professional timepieces, eventually transferring its know-how to wristwatches. To do so, the heart of the watch – the movement – often needed to be redesigned and miniaturised. Our watchmakers truly blazed the trail, manufacturing the first wrist chrono­graph in 1913, the first high-frequency pocket chronograph ticking at 36,000 beats an hour in 1929 (cal. 18.72), the world’s first wristwatch with rotating bezel in 1931 and patented the world’s first flyback- chronograph in 1936. To improve the precision of timing sports events, in 1954 Longines introduced the electronic quartz-clock. Using this know-how, our watchmakers launched one of the first quartz-wristwatches in 1969.

With generations of experience as Official Timekeeper of World Championships, and as partner of International Sports Federations, Longines has built strong and long-lasting relationships in the world of sport over the years. These challenges keep the drive for innovation and the pioneering spirit very much alive.
image
Auguste Agassiz & Ernest Francillon
Auguste Agassiz along with his nephew, Ernest Francillon, were the pioneers of Longines. These founding fathers had a profound impact on the company, region and the whole of Swiss watchmaking.
image
Amelia Earhart
The fearless aviatrix set records, becoming a symbol of courage in the air, before she disappeared between the sky and the sea.
image
Elinor Smith
The youngest ever licensed pilot, Elinor Smith set multiple world records. When attempting to break a record, the aviatrix lost consciousness at 26,000 ft (7,900 m). The plane plummeted, but she woke up at the last moment.
image
Walter Mittelholzer
The first pilot to fly over Kilimanjaro, this pioneer introduced a new perspective with his ground-breaking aerial photos. He then went on to co-found the national airline Swissair.
image
Charles Lindbergh
“Well, I did it”, were the simple words the aviator said after his non-stop flight lasting over 33 hours from New York to Paris. A world first that turned a page in history.
image
Philip Van Horn Weems
The inventive U.S. Navy officer taught the most famous pilots how to navigate in the air using a precise Longines watch, a sextant and the stars.
image
Amy Johnson
The most famous aviator in Britain was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. She held several speed records and served in the Royal Air Force.
image
Ruth Nichols
She was the only female pilot to hold simultaneous world records for speed, altitude and distance.
image
Dieudonné Costes and Joseph Le Brix
Dieudonne Costes and Joseph Brix affirmed their place in pilot history by undertaking an around-the-world flight of 35,652 miles whilst using a Longines chronometer.
image
Dieudonné Costes and Maurice Bellonte
Dieudonne Costes and Joseph Brix affirmed their place in pilot history by undertaking an around-the-world flight of 35,652 miles whilst using a Longines chronometer.
image
Paul Codos and Maurice Rossi
Dieudonne Costes, the French pilot clocked a world record distance in a straighline, doing so alongside Maurice Bellonte, their plane equipped with Longines clocks.
image
Clyde Pangborn & Hugh Herndon
The two American aviators were the first to fly non-stop across the Pacific Ocean in 1931. They started in Japan and landed 41 hours later in the United States. To save weight, they flew without shoes – and without the landing gear of their airplane.
image
Howard Hughes
The American business tycoon was an acclaimed film producer before becoming famous as a record-setting pilot and influential figure in the aviation industry.
image
Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett
The U.S. Navy officer and his chief pilot were the first to explore the Antarctic.
image
Wiley Post
Wiley Prost grew up with a dream to have his own aircraft. With sheer determination, he realised his dream and even became as the fastest man to circumvent the world.
image
Hans Von Schiller
Hans Von Schiller was a zeppelin captain at a time when zeppelin pilots were filled with awe. With Longines instruments, Schiller lead a famous pilot career.
image
Paul-Emile Victor
Leaving on an expedition to live with the Innuits, Paul-Emile Victor defied societal norms and dedicated his life to sharing the knowledge he gathered.
image
Louis-Amédée De Savoie
As early as 1899, Italian nobleman Louis-Amédée de Savoie decided to travel to the North Pole. To navigate the ice, he equipped his team with Longines chronometers, renowned for their reliability. Though these pioneers failed in their goal, they did succeed in the feat of staying alive.
image
Joseph-Elzéar Bernier
A ship captain at the age of 17, Joseph-Elzéar Bernier is a character straight out of a novel. Playing an important role in charting the map of the Far North, he was always accompanied by his faithful Longines chronometers on his adventures.
image
Auguste And Jacques Piccard
No one dived deeper than scientist Auguste Piccard and his son Jacques in their bathyscaphes, and they trusted the accuracy of Longines. When Jacques Piccard reached the deepest point in the sea, Longines stopwatches were used to time the activation of the ballast tanks.
image
Steve McKinney
The first person to ski downhill at more than 124 mph (200 km/h) was a speed champion who trained his mind with yoga
image
Malcolm and Donald Campbell
To go even further was the challenge many pioneers set themselves. To go even faster was the goal of the Campbell family. Malcolm and his son Donald spent their lives attempting to set the speed record, equipped with their trusty Longines chronometers.
image
24 Hours of Le Mans
The most important motor endurance race in the sixties was the scene of a feverish battle between Ford and Ferrari, timed by Longines.
image
Pioneer in Rallye Sports
Rushing over rugged passes and dusty roads in road-legal cars, drivers relied on their skills in the early years of rallying. From the Coupe des Alpes and the Acropolis in Greece, to the British RAC and the Canadian Rally, the organisers entrusted timekeeping to Longines.
image
Rallye Monte-Carlo
The glamourous rallying event, founded over 100 years ago to draw wealthy clients to Monaco casino in winter, has reached legendary status in the world of motorsports. In its golden years, the icy roads of the Turini pass were the scene of the toughest battles between Porsche and French blue Alpine, timed by Longines.
image
Timing Formula One
The Grand Prix is the ultimate motorsport race with the fastest single-seater cars whizzing around renowned tracks like Monaco. For 60 years, Longines was timekeeper at the races and constantly sought to improve precision.
image
Partnering with Ferrari
The legendary race car manufacturer relied on Longines timekeeping on the Formula One circuits as well on its own test track in Fiorano, Italy.
image
Racing with Renault
The French racing team played a pioneering role in introducing the turbo-charged engine to Formula One, with Longines as timekeeping partner.
image
Timing equestrian sports
From its foundation in the 19th century to the present day, Longines has always had a close relationship with the world of horses. The brand times numerous equestrian events all over the world.
image
Longines milestones supporting pioneers and pilots
This is a collection of some pioneering timepieces made by Longines, specially engineered and designed for explorers, pioneers and pilots as well as for timekeeping tasks. Longines was the first watch manufacturer to introduce the flyback chronograph or the central minute counter - and protected these developments by patents.
image
Credits
Special thanks to Mr Roger Connor form the Aeronautics Dept of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr Alain Jourdainne, Mrs Tamara McKinney and Mr Lucien Trueb for their valuable contribution and support.
Next section
legacy