Longines, one of the world’s best-known prestigious Swiss watches, recently marked a special milestone-its 30 millionth timepiece. The event was celebrated Feb.19 at Longines’s corporate headquarters in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, by members of the company and distinguished guests. They included Walter von Kaenel, Longines president; François Habersaat, president of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH); Stéphane Boillat, mayor of Saint-Imier; Mrs. Nicole Bosshart, of the International Museum of Watchmaking in La Chaux-de-Fonds; François Matile, representing the Swiss Watch Industry Employers Association; and Eric Ruedin, of the Watch and Microtechnology Business Association. Established in 1832, Longines is the oldest registered trademark in the world. Its workshops and company seat at Saint-Imier were built in 1867. Longines produced its first wristwatch in 1905, the world’s thinnest electromagnetic watch in 1960, and the world’s first cybernetic, electronic quartz watch-the Longines Ultra-Quartz-in 1969. In 1979, Longines collaborated with other watch brands to develop the “Feuille d’Or,” the world’s thinnest quartz watch, and 1984 produced its famous Conquest VHP (Very High Precision). Longines has long been associated with sports (as official timekeeper for many international sports events, including many Olympics Games) as well as with aviation. A Longines timepiece clocked Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic, and its Hour Angle watch was based on a design by Lindbergh. Today, Longines markets its timepieces in 120 markets around the world, and has enjoyed double-digit growth over the last three years, according to von Kaenel. To celebrate its horological milestone, Longines unveiled a new commemorative 18k collection of classically-designed, self-winding timepieces called the “30 Millionth Watch.” A limited series of 990 numbered watches are being produced, with 390 in yellow 18k, 300 in white 18k and 300 in pink 18k. The first watch in the series-literally the 30 millionth Longines-was officially donated to the International Museum of Watchmaking. Longines also created a special exhibition titled, “The 30,000,000 Longines Watches.” It was officially opened by Chinese actress, singer, and model Qu Ying, one of Longines’s “ambassadors of elegance.” Including Hong Kong, China has become Longines’ largest, most important market

JCK