In the world of fine watchmaking, success is measured, quite fittingly, in longevity. Nowhere is that more evident than with Longines. A company with 190 years of exquisite craftsmanship under its belt, the Winged Hourglass brand is revered for many things – its adventurous spirit, its rich heritage and its unique connection to the world of aviation and exploration.
At an intimate event at the brand’s Sydney flagship on Tuesday night, more than 40 Man of Many readers, friends and Longines VIP customers experienced that very ethos in person.
So, how do you sum up 190 years of watchmaking prowess in one evening? The short answer is – You don’t. You create a collection that speaks for itself.
Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary
For years, the Master Collection has served as the perfect embodiment of the Longines brand. Elegant minus the over-complication and sophisticated without sacrificing aesthetics, it’s little wonder the Master Collection remains Longines’ best-selling worldwide, but to mark a grandiose occasion one must make a grandiose statement.
Arriving directly from Saint-Imier, the Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary took centre stage in front of a captivated audience of watch fanatics. Crafted to celebrate the milestone, the exclusive three-watch series echoes the classic elegance and excellence that the brand has become synonymous with. Slim in profile and with a straightforward dial layout, the new Longines Master Collection pieces demonstrate a brand that knows the value of refinement – classic, symmetrical and stunningly accurate.
For those in attendance, it was a rare opportunity to see the stunning collection up close. Along with the Stainless Steel reference, the 18-carat yellow gold and rose gold versions are limited to just 190 pieces worldwide, each numbered and catalogued by the Swiss icon. But Longines, never one to rest on its laurels, made sure there was a lot more to explore.
Longines Record Heritage
The newly released Record Heritage, the first chronograph to join the Record Collection, was also on display. Arriving in the ‘goldilocks’ 40mm sweet spot, the stainless steel release was one of the surprise packets of the year.
With a distinctive vintage spin, the Record Heritage arrived cased in stainless steel with slim rectangular pushers and the notable absence of a date window. Truly, if there is one mantra to which Longines’ design language subscribes, it is clarity. The ultra-legible and uncluttered dial is reminiscent of the maison’s timepieces of old, best typified by the matte black dial with elegant golden Arabic numerals, but there are some modern iterations thrown in.
At the Longines VIP event, guests were able to catch a glimpse of the unique silicon balance spring and exclusive anti-magnetic Longines movement through the transparent caseback. Better still, the first Record chronograph release is chronometer-certified by the COSC, guaranteeing its precision and reliability.
Key Pieces
In a year littered with so many great watch releases, it was a challenge to squeeze them all into one showroom, but guests were also treated to a number of other exciting pieces from Longines. From the instant classic that was the new GMT favourite Longines Spirit Zulu Time to the high-frequency Ultra-Chron’s deft blend of retro and modern elements; the event was a proverbial feast for the eyes.
Naturally, all guests walked away from the event with a swathe of Longines goodies and a firm appreciation for refined luxury, but the overarching message was clear – To better understand the future, we must first acknowledge the past. If there is one thing that we’ve learned from Longines’ near-200 centuries on this planet, it’s that often the simplest solution is the best. Here’s to the next 190 years.
