LONGINES SOLID SILVER ART DECO WATCH, 1940s

Longines, one of the world’s most iconic watch brands, originated in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, when Auguste Agassiz established a watchmaking workshop with two partners under the name Agassiz & Compagnie. Initially specializing in pocket watches, they gained recognition for their millimetric precision and artisanal finishes, laying the foundation for a horological tradition that endures to this day. Birth of the Longines Brand In 1867, under the direction of Agassiz’s nephew, Ernest Francillon, the company underwent a decisive transformation. The first integrated factory was built in an area known as Les Longines (‘the long meadows’), a name officially adopted by the brand. That same year, they introduced the revolutionary caliber 20A, their first in-house movement, which eliminated reliance on subcontractors thanks to its crown-winding mechanism with lever escapement. This technological milestone was awarded the gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition (1867), establishing Longines as a synonym for Swiss innovation. Global Recognition and Sports Timing The international expansion of Longines quickened with key achievements. In 1880, they patented the first mechanical chronograph (caliber 20H), used in horse racing competitions. Nine years later, they registered their iconic winged hourglass logo, becoming the watch brand with the oldest active registered trademark. The year 1912 marked another milestone as they became pioneers in modern sports timing, electronically timing the Swiss Gymnastics Federation in Basel, earning them the appointment as official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1924. Technical Evolution and Design Icons Longines merged mechanical sophistication with timeless elegance through key innovations. In 1927, they launched the first antimagnetic watch (caliber 21.59) for scientists, while in 1945, they introduced their first automatic movement, the caliber 22A, within the Elegance collection. The 1950s saw the birth of the Conquest, their first water-resistant line with reinforced sealing, symbolizing robustness. In the 21st century, they relaunched the Master Collection with advanced complications like moon phases and GMT, and introduced the professional diver HydroConquest with 300 meters of water resistance. Current Legacy: Tradition and Technology Today, Longines maintains its original manufacture in Saint-Imier, producing over 1.5 million watches annually. They combine high-efficiency in-house movements like the L888 (72 hours power reserve) with collections that pay homage to their heritage, such as the Flagship Heritage (reissue of the 1957 model) and the Spirit line inspired by aviation. Their commitment to sports endures as the official timekeeper of the International Equestrian Federation, the French Open Tennis Tournament, and the Olympic Games, reaffirming 190 years of excellence in precision, innovation, and timeless elegance. TEMPPUS. All rights reserved.