

Longines is still involved in timing sports events. In 1988, SMH became the Swatch Group, which still owns Longines today. In 1971, ASUAG purchased Longines, and then in 1983, merged with SSIH to form the Société Suisse de Microélectronique et d’Horlogerie (or SMH). There were several variations of these watches, including other military-inspired timepieces in the years that followed.īy jumping forward to the 1970s and 1980s, we’ll get a little more clarity on the company’s present-day status. In 1931, Longines partnered with Charles Lindbergh to create the Hour Angle aviation watch. The Longines website has tons of information on their history. Weems, a USN Officer and expert navigator, to create a 47-millimeter pilot’s watch. It was also during this time period that Longines trademarked the name and the famous winged logo in an effort to thwart counterfeiters’ efforts.īy the 1920s, Longines was establishing itself in the aviation watch market. These timing devices became synonymous with timekeeping at horse racing and jumping events - a tradition that lives to this day. The movement, known as the 20A, used an innovative design that won an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris that same year.īy the late 1800s, Longines began producing monopusher chronographs. The year 1867 also marked the year Longines created its first in-house movement. Imier region Les Longines, which is French for “Long Meadows,” giving the company its new name. Agassiz would eventually hand the company down to his nephew, Ernest Francillon, who was actually responsible for putting Longines on the map.įrancillon saw the value in modern production techniques, and by 1867, Longines had its first factory.



The company began in 1832, founded by Swiss watchmaker Auguste Agassiz and his two lawyer partners, Henri Raiguel and Florian Morel.īy 1846, Raiguel and Morel retired, which left Agassiz to steer the ship on his own. Longines is one of the oldest watchmakers in the world, so the company’s history is long and grand.
