Three’s not a crowd
190 years ago in 1832, Auguste Agassiz and a team of fellow watchmakers founded what was to become Longines: a watchmaking workshop in the Swiss village of St-Imier. Despite having no electricity, running water, or any modern conveniences, they had a single-minded pursuit: To produce high-quality timepieces.
20 years later in 1852, Agassiz brought his nephew, Ernest Francillon on board. Francillon shared Agassiz’s vision for quality, but took a very different approach to achieving it. He embraced the age of industrialisation and had belief in technology. Within 15 years, he transformed Longines’ watchmaking workshop into a factory, making the brand one of the first Swiss watchmakers to mechanise its production.
Not much has changed since; today, the Longines factory remains on the same site, and its production continues to be guided by the same commitment to quality.
In celebration of 190 years of excellence, the brand has unveiled the new Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary. Comprising three timepieces all fitted with self-winding movements and the timeless, elegant design that is signature to the Master Collection, the line is emblematic of Longines’ rich watchmaking heritage.
All three models are powered by the mechanical self-winding calibre L888.5, which gives the timepieces a power reserve of 72 hours. The caliber can be admired through the transparent case back, which also features a commemorative engraving that reads “The Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary”. The round case measures 40mm. All three watches come with an anthracite grey leather strap.
The entry-level model of the collection is the L2.793.4.73.2. Well-priced at S$3,420, it comes with a stainless steel case, sandblasted silver dial, and blued steel hands.
The L2.793.6.73.2 and the L2.793.8.73.2, both priced at S$17,170, are limited and numbered to 190. Each watch of these references has its unique number engraved on its case back. The L2.793.6.73.2 has a 18-carat yellow gold case, vertical brushed grey dial and gilt hands, while the L2.793.8.73.2 has a 18-carat rose gold case, grained anthracite dial, and pink hands.
