Baselworld 2016: The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Jockey 1878
Baselworld 2016: The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Jockey 1878
With its long involvement in and passion for equestrian sports, the Swiss watchmaking brand presents The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Jockey 1878, an 18 carat rose gold pocket watch that is the replica of a model fitted with the first chronograph created by Longines. Produced in a very limited 20-piece numbered series, each timepiece is adorned on the back with an engraving of a jockey and his mount.
In 1878, thanks to new mechanical processes, the Swiss watchmaking brand Longines developed its first chronograph movement. This timepiece allowed one to measure performances to the second, and through it, Longines held a pre-eminent position on American racetracks as early as the end of the 19th century. Additionally, the purpose of the production of this watch was crystallized, while one of the first series of models displayed a jockey accompanied by his mount. This chronograph was the first milestone in a long history that has led the Swiss watchmaking brand to partner with world-renowned institutions, races and jumping competitions around the globe. Today, Longines proudly reissues this exceptional piece.
This 18 carat rose gold pocket watch shows on the back an engraving of a jockey and his mount, symbols of elegance, tradition and performance – the brand’s key values. Its core houses a manual winding movement, fitted with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, made exclusively for Longines. It can be activated by using a single push button on the winding crown. The blued steel column wheel can be admired by opening the engraved cover. The Lépine metal pocket watch used as an inspiration for this reissue is kept at the Longines museum in Saint-Imier.
Historical witness to the tight bonds that link Longines and equestrian sports, this exceptionnal model has been produced in a very limited edition, each of which is numbered. With a diameter of 55 mm, it displays hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock using elegant blued steel hands. It is also capable of keeping the time to the second, thanks to the chronograph’s central hand. Its white dial is decorated with large Roman numerals and a minute track adorned with Arabic numerals. The finely crafted bow is made in the image of the timepiece which inspired it.