Longines have long been associated with equestrian sports, a relationship that began back in 1926. During the course of being the official timekeeper at many prestigious show jumping events all over the world, the Swiss brand has established itself as almost synonymous with the sport. At the end of every season, Longines awards the Longines Press Award for Elegance to the two best riders (one male one female) according to performance and elegance. A trophy, a cheque and two Longines watches are presented to the winners.
Longines Has Had a Long Equestrian Heritage
Longines also provide the timing and data management equipment at equestrian events, these require six technicians to run and test the equipment, which can take 4 days to set up and can weigh up to 9 tons. The equipment is so heavy due to the video board that provides live video, with times overlayed to the watching crowd.
Alongside show jumping, Longines is also involved in a variety of different, especially flat racing, which, since 2007, Longines has been the official timekeeper at Royal Ascot. Longines watches are also the official watch of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which is considered by many to be the leading flat-racing event in the southern hemisphere. Derby Day, with its crowd of 118,000 is world renowned for being incredibly fashionable has the Longines sponsored “Fashion of the Fieldâ€. Longines is also the timekeeper for many other major races around the world, for example the Kentucky Derby, the Prix de Diane Longines and the France Galop which takes place over 3 different courses at Chantilly, Longchamp and Deauville.