On the occasion of its 185th Anniversary, Longines celebrated a long history of tradition, elegance and watchmaking excellence this year with a Gala evening held on 16 November and an exhibition open to the public on 18 and 19 November at the iconic Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) in Beijing. In front of an international audience of VIPs and media, the event was the backdrop for the official launch of the new Record collection, the latest symbol of the Swiss watchmaking expertise, the presentation of the book "Longines Through Time" and the introduction of the new Chinese Brand Ambassador. The launch of the Record collection, presented at Baselworld 2017, was the highlight of the celebrations and conveys Longines' sense of timeless excellence. Thanks to its exceptional profile, the entire line, consisting of automatic models, has been awarded chronometer certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC); a first for the maison of Saint-Imier. This important recognition guarantees the accuracy and authenticity of the calibres of each watch in the collection, whose movement is enhanced by a monocrystalline silicon balance spring with unique properties. A hi-tech heart housed inside a timepiece made in the purest watchmaking tradition. The Record collection will be presented alongside a selection of vintage models in the exhibition "Longines 185th Anniversary" hosted at the Taimiao Temple on 18 and 19 November. The exhibition, which also includes watches from the Longines museum in Saint-Imier, will be a tribute to the brand's renowned history in watchmaking tradition and timekeeping techniques that began in 1832. Composed of a careful selection of pocket watches, timekeeping devices, wristwatches and some of the most representative and current timepieces, the exhibition will also illustrate the Swiss watchmaker's past through a collection of photographs, advertisements, videos and archive documents; the public will have a unique opportunity to get to know the most emblematic collections and the most important historical moments. To commemorate a 185-year history, the book "Longines Through Time" was presented during the Gala evening in the presence of the author Stéphanie Lachat, International Brand Heritage Manager. Testifying to the watchmaking heritage and tradition of Longines, the book recounts the evolution of the brand over the past two centuries and illustrates the continuous interweaving of innovation and tradition, highlighting the Saint-Imier-based company's commitment to creating elegant and high-performance timepieces. Finally, during the evening, Longines presented its new Ambassador Zhao Liying. The talented actress already has an important career in the Chinese entertainment industry behind her. Fourth in the Forbes Top 100 Chinese Celebrities list, Zhao Liying joins Longines Ambassadors of Elegance alongside Kate Winslet, Simon Baker and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
