When it comes to elegance, Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page has set an impressive new bar of late, and with his trusty Longines timepiece by his side it seems the man can do no wrong. As such, attendees at Longines’ first Australian brand event last week couldn’t have been more delighted when Page—fittingly named Longines’ Ambassador of Elegance—officiated the event at the prestigious venue Campbell’s Stores.
An Elegant Celebration
Situated in the heart of Sydney’s historic The Rocks district and looking out over stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Campbell’s Stores provided the perfect location for an event that celebrated Longines’ motto ‘Elegance is an Attitude’, as embodied by the Swiss brand’s latest releases. These included the Mini DolceVita collection and the Longines x Otis Hope Carey NATO watch strap collaboration, which saw the brand work with renowned Australian Indigenous artist Otis Hope Carey to craft a collection of straps that marks the connection to the water shared by both brand and artist.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of the Longines family, a brand that resonates so strongly with Australians. Longines has long been synonymous with enduring quality and elegant design, and it was wonderful to see these values celebrated in such an immersive, tangible way,” said Page.
“The collaboration with Australian Indigenous artist, Otis Hope Carey, is a true testament to his talent – perfectly encapsulating his heritage and connection to the landscape in creative form,” he continued. “To be able to celebrate this, alongside officially launching the Mini DolceVita in Australia, was a personal highlight.”
The Exploration of Elegance
Joining Page for the evening’s immersive dive into all things elegance were Longines Friends of the Brand, including former Australian of the Year and sporting great Dylan Alcott AO, Australian models Sarah Ellen and Georgia Fowler, media personality Jesinta Franklin, and 100 special guests. While there, all were invited to explore three immersive rooms accompanied by a special Q&A from Page. Each of the three experiences told a key part of the Longines story and the brand’s tireless pursuit of innovation and invention, while simultaneously maintaining a reverence for the classic, timeless approach to watch design that has made its pieces so enduring.
The first of these, “Avigation: Advancing Time”, delved into time’s cyclical motion and Longines’ evolving interpretation of elegance as eras have come and gone. The experience outlined the tradition of Longines-made precision instruments that have accompanied the greatest explorers in their endeavours across land, sea, and air, and saw Dylan Alcott guide guests through the unparalleled story of the Longines Spirit Collection.
Second, “Elegance: Ever-changing Time” saw guests indulge in a refined celebration of the Mini DolceVita collection, presented in a room filled with art deco-inspired furniture and florals and accompanied by Sarah Ellen, who attended the collection’s global launch in New York City.
The third and final stop on this journey was “Adventure: Conquest for Time”, which celebrated the Longines x Otis Hope Carey collaboration by projecting Carey’s artwork throughout the space. What’s more, this provided the perfect backdrop for the after party that followed official formalities.
The Future is Elegant
While this was an evening steeped in compelling tales of history and tradition, Longines’ commitment to taking an innovative approach to elegance—a commitment that has never wavered throughout the brand’s 190-year history—remained at the heart of proceedings. It’s the brand’s dedication to that core idea that will ensure Longines continues to set the standard for elegance long into the future, as it continues to evolve and invent new kinds of elegance alongside the likes of Regé-Jean Page and Otis Hope Carey for many years to come.
