Longines’ Love for Equestrian Sports
Switzerland-based Longines might be best known for its elegant and refinedtimepieces, but the watchmaker has had an increasingly active presence on the turf. Official Partner, Timekeeper and Watch of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar (CA), Longines timed Gun Runner’s exciting victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4 at Del Mar racetrack. The brand also acted as Title Partner of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff race on November 3 and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf race on November 4 at the California racetrack.
The ‘official watch’ of the event was the Longines Master Collection. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing for Longines, presented the elegant timepieces to the owner, breeder, trainer and jockey of winning horses of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff race and the Breeders’ Cup Turf race.
In keeping with the brand’s motto that ‘Elegance is an Attitude’, Longines awarded the Longines Prize for Elegance to the most elegant man and woman. The winners, who received a Longines watch, were chosen for their timeless style and of course, elegance. The 2017 races at Del Mar marked the 34th edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. A stellar thoroughbred horseracing annual event, the Breeders’ Cup attracts the best horses, breeders, trainers and owners from around the world. Additionally, the Breeders’ Cup Classic race is often one of the deciding factors in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings and the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award.
Notes from the past
The watchmaker’s passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when it produced a chronograph pocket watch engraved with a jockey and his mount. This model quickly became extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers thanks to its ability to precisely time events to the second. Seen on the racetracks as early as 1881, this Longines chronograph pocket watch also became the timer of choice for most New York sport judges.