The History of Longines Watch Company
Longines was founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland by Auguste Agassiz. It is one of the oldest registered watch brands in the world still operating under its original name.
- Founded: 1832
- Founder: Auguste Agassiz
- Location: Saint-Imier, Bernese Jura, Switzerland
- Original Name: Agassiz & Compagnie
- Brand Name “Longines”: First used in 1867, named after the area “Les Longines” where the factory was built
- Trademark: The Longines winged hourglass logo was registered in 1889, making it the oldest registered trademark still in use in its original form.
Francillon’s vision was to modernize production by centralizing it in one facility—a revolutionary idea at the time. This led to the establishment of the first Longines factory in 1867, located in an area called Les Longines, which gave the brand its name.
That same year, Longines created its first in-house movement, the caliber 20A, which featured an anchor escapement and won an award at the Paris Universal Exhibition. The company also registered its winged hourglass logo in 1889, making it the oldest registered trademark still in use by a watchmaker.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Longines earned a reputation for precision timekeeping, becoming a key supplier of chronometers and stopwatches for sports competitions and scientific exploration.
The brand became especially prominent in the world of aviation and navigation—most notably working with famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, who helped design the Hour Angle Watch in 1931 for celestial navigation.
Longines played a significant role as an official timekeeper for numerous Olympic Games starting in 1896 and continued well into the 20th century. Their mechanical chronographs, especially from the 1930s to 1960s, are highly prized among collectors today for their technical excellence and elegant design.
Like many traditional watchmakers, Longines faced challenges during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s. However, it survived by becoming part of the Swatch Group (then known as SMH) in the 1980s. This move allowed Longines to retain its historic identity while benefiting from modern manufacturing and marketing support.
Today, Longines is known for its blend of heritage, elegance, and performance. Its collections—such as the Master Collection, HydroConquest, Conquest, Heritage, and Flagship—reflect a dedication to both classic design and technical innovation. The brand continues to operate from Saint-Imier, maintaining a deep connection to its roots while staying relevant in the modern luxury watch market.
