Be it the Kentucky Derby in the US, Royal Ascot in the UK, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Prix de Diane in France, or the Spring Meeting in Germany, all international equestrian events have one thing in common: crazy headwear. And, of course, Longines, a watch manufacturer with very close ties to equestrian sports.
A Story of Precision and Passion
Many watch manufacturers have links to sports in which timekeeping plays an important role. The Swiss watch manufacturer Rolex supports equestrian sports alongside sailing and Formula 1, while Omega is the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games and also sponsors bobsled. Longines’ involvement in the sporting world ranges from equestrian sports to alpine skiing. However, equestrian sports hold special sway at the watchmaker from Saint-Imier.
History of Longines’ Connection to Equestrian Sport
The relationship goes back to 1878, when Longines produced the first chronograph with a jockey and horse engraved on its case back. The same motif can be found on ancient vases – an indication of how long man has been fascinated by these noble four-legged friends. The various types of horse racing, i.e., endurance, gallop, and steeplechase, grew from man’s desire to test the skill of animal and rider. Just three years after its launch, the Longines Chronograph was in widespread use on American racetracks. The engraving was not the deciding factor for most buyers, but rather the company’s pioneering spirit to produce ever more precise movements. The caliber 20H from 1878 marked the beginning of this drive. Word of the quality of Longines watches quickly spread throughout the equestrian world. Everyone who was involved in the sport in any way wanted to be equipped with the most precise timepiece. It was important for trainers, jockeys, and horse owners to accurately measure the speed of their horses. Scouts searched for hidden potential in lesser known horses and racecourse visitors made their bets based on the lap times.
The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports
The first Kentucky Derby, which today is one of the most important thoroughbred races in the US, had its debut in 1875. From an initial 10,000 visitors, the event has grown to 150,000. Among them are numerous stars from the worlds of sports, film, and politics. We know from other popular races like the Monaco Grand Prix or the Hahnenkamm Race in Austria that there is more at stake than just the prize money. We are talking about prestige and an entry in the history books. This is why the Kentucky Derby has been referred to as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” The winner also receives a Longines watch. But you don’t have to be a gifted jockey to win a Longines prize at the Kentucky Derby. Outstanding attire could also do the trick. True to the company motto “elegance is an attitude,” visitors with the most elegant outfit receive an award and a luxury watch from the company. Given the dedication with which Longines has perfected its timepieces and become involved in equestrian sports, it is hardly surprising that they have been an official partner of all the major horse races for many years, in addition to holding the title of official timekeeper. Longines’ commitments are many and varied. In 1912, the company was the official timekeeper at a show jumping tournament for the first time. This partnership led to the establishment of the Longines World Equestrian Academy in 2016.
A watch for a horse?
The past decade has seen a consolidation of partnerships with the major equestrian associations. 2013 was a particularly notable year, when Longines entered into long-term partnerships with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). A major focus for the company is to promote and honor the exceptional nature of this sport. Again in 2013, Longines announced the “Longines World’s Best Racehorse Award” and a year later, the “World’s Best Jockey” award. A unique points system determines who was the most successful jockey and racehorse in any given year. The winner is presented with a luxury watch from Longines. Seeing as a horse has little use for a watch, the owner of the best horse accepts the exclusive timepiece instead.
The Longines Positioning System
According to the Chinese calendar, 2014 was the year of the horse. To honor this, Longines presented a rose gold wristwatch with a horse and rider on its case back, just like its 19th century predecessor. However, Longines did not stop there; one year later, they introduced a revolutionary measuring system, the Longines Positioning System (LPS). With up to 1,000 measurements per second, the exact position of the horse, the ranking of all participants, and the distance between the horses can be determined to an accuracy of 5 cm.
Equestrian sports without Longines?
Today, the prospect is unthinkable. The list of collaborations between equestrian sports and Longines is seemingly endless. The brand is an inseparable part of the equestrian world. In view of the company’s philosophy, it is conceivable that these ties will be around for many years to come.
