Leading Swiss watchmaker Longines is celebrating a successful 2005 and has announced outstanding growth in the region over last year.
“Longines has built its worldwide reputation on timepieces, notable for their intrinsic quality, style and unmistakable character. With the introduction of four new collections this year, we have reinforced our leadership position,” said Fadi Ghalayini, Regional Brand Manager, Longines Middle East.
“We had an extremely successful 2005, strengthening our existing relationships with customers and establishing new links. Our brand philosophy is ‘elegance is an attitude’ and each collection embodies these values.”
Four premium Longines collections that were a huge success this year: The Longines Master Collection, the fourth edition of Les Elégantes de Longines, Longines DolceVita and Longines evidenza.
The ‘Longines Master Collection’ comprises nine self-winding watches and one hand-wound timepiece. The movements are housed in a choice of four case sizes: 38.5, 40, 42 or 47.5mm in diameter. All models feature a transparent back case through which the movement can be observed, and come with either a stainless steel or leather strap. The collection combines contemporary and classic design elements that Longines is renowned for.
Les Elégantes de Longines collection is made up of dress-watch replicas inspired by three distinctive Longines timepieces from 1928 and 1931. These replicas feature a diamond-set case with engine-turned patterns on its flanks and back, 18K white gold and are mounted on a black satin strap. The rhodium-plated dial features black Arabic numerals and a minute track. All three models use a hand wound mechanical movement manufactured by Longines and are limited to 30 pieces each.
Longines also introduced a new range of Longines DolceVita timepieces displaying pure white versus deep black. The rectangular stainless steel case is available with a setting of either 28 diamonds (0.26 carats) or 32 diamonds (0.32 carats and 0.48 carats). A fine white or black lacquered leather strap complements the watch.
Another popular model is the Longines DolceVita Maxi, which features a bigger dial and a chronograph mechanism with a totalizer and date calendar. It is available in a choice of dial layouts: one displays Roman numerals on a silver-hued background, another is impeccably white, the third is jet black with white Arabic numerals, and another variant features a gray background enhanced with blue Arabic numerals.
Last but not least, Longines also introduced its new evidenza complication models. The collection features a power-reserve indicator, a double-aperture calendar and a moon-phase display design, reflecting the classic elegance of a stylish time and the vast store of technical expertise.
Other hot favourites from the Longines evidenza collection are the new diamond and mini models for women.
Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading watch manufacturer and marketer with no fewer than 158 production sites in Switzerland.
