Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Longines has always enjoyed a prodigiously successful relationship with the world of sport. The company has provided timekeeping for the Olympic Games a total of fourteen times, with the initial partnership being held at the Oslo games in 1952, and this collaboration is merely one of Longines’ involvements in many other sporting events. One of the most celebrated partnerships between Longines and the sporting world has undoubtedly been the Commonwealth Games. Longines was affiliated with this iconic occasion even earlier than with the Olympic Games, as this relationship first began at the Perth games in 1962, and recent news has confirmed that this long standing alliance looks set to continue.
Longines has been announced as the Official Timekeeper for the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games, as well as being honoured with the title of Official Watch of Glasgow 2014. The Commonwealth Games has been held for more than 80 years, and is scheduled every four years. The forthcoming 11 day competition will exhibit 261 medal events within the fields of 17 different sports, and 4,500 athletes will strive to excel in each of their specific disciplines. The traditional Baton Relay signifying the instigation of the Commonwealth preparations was launched by the Queen on the 9th October, and this baton will now journey throughout 70 different Commonwealth territories before the start of the Glasgow event.
Luxury watch brands have a long and proud history when it comes to serving as timekeepers for the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar, and Longines is no exception. The company is widely acclaimed for its scrupulously engineered chronograph timepieces, and it is this level of expertise and unwavering performance that has cemented Longines as a partner for many sporting occasions; such as the historic French Open tennis Grand Slam held at Roland Garros. Longines also invests in these partnerships to a far greater extent than their title of ‘official timekeeper’ might suggest. For example, the winning owner, trainer and jockey of the American flat thoroughbred horse race, known as Preakness Stakes, were all awarded with ceremonial Longines Saint-Imier watches following their success at this year’s event, and other sporting competitors similarly benefit from the Official Timekeeper for their individual events.
Founded in 1832, Longines’ own storied history extends beyond many of the seemingly timeless sporting competitions that it finds itself associated with. The brand’s mastery of its horological trade has made it an integral feature of the modern sporting landscape, and its achievements, such the timing of 31 Tours de France or its involvement in the notoriously demanding world of Formula One, display the consummate standards of performance that are possessed by each Longines timepiece. Longines chronograph models also have just as much utility outside the sporting arena, as the accomplishments set by Longines watches within the field of aeronautics have made clear. As an official stockist for Longines watches, here at Banks Lyon we are ideally placed to assist you if you require any Longines timepiece to be sourced, so please call us on 01524 38 48 58 if you require any further information.
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