Longines: Companion of Pioneers and Explorers

A Watchmaker for the Brave-Hearted

I was seeing Longines advertisements on billboards, presented by familiar faces such as Kate Winslet or Henry Cavill. One cannot take eyes quickly from those chic visuals, but to me it was yet another Swiss luxury watchmaker brand without a specific story attached in my mind.

Longines Museum waiting area, Henry Cavill wearing Longines.

What I didn’t know was that, before being presented by brand ambassadors, these watches were on the wrists of world-record-breaking women and men explorers such as Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, Charles Lindbergh, and many more. I only discovered this when I visited their museum and listened to the stories from the heritage team.

Photo 1*: One of the courageous pioneers of aviation, Ruth Nichols, who trusted Longines during her record-setting missions.

Many brave-hearted explorers chose (and are still choosing) to wear Longines’ timekeeping tools during their expeditions with extreme conditions not because of partnerships, but because of their trust in Longines’ watchmaking. The brand had accompanied more than 33 record-breaking expeditions.

One of them, Paul-Émile Victor, who specialized in polar expeditions, wrote to Longines relating to his experience with his Longines watch in 1993:

“The memory of three Longines chronometers that I had carried for the calculation of longitude during our crossing of the desert of ice of Greenland in 1936 still moves me deeply. These chronometers represented for me the difference between failure and success, between life and death.”
Paul-Émile Victor

In this blog post, I’ll take you on a journey through time to uncover some stories behind the legendary Swiss watchmaker Longines, and the world-record-breaking expeditions it proudly accompanied and timed with precision. 

Here’s a quick look at what this post covers. Enjoy the read!

5 Facts to Longines’ Uniqueness & Pioneer Spirit

First watchmaker to fit a chronometer’s precision into our pockets

Soon after its foundation, Longines started to write a history. In 1878, the brand produced the first chronometer watch that would fit in your pocket.

Pocket chronometers from 1913 & 1916, Longines Museum.

These precise and compact chronographs were used on American horse racing tracks in the 1880s. Later, equestrian races will stay as one of the sports fields that Longines is leading as a watch brand for timekeeping.

The Longines Press Awards for Elegance by a figure of racer on a horse, 2006, Longines Museum.

Internationalization in motion: Pioneering timekeeping across time zones

During the early waves of globalization, Longines played a pioneering role in bridging time between East and West. As someone from Turkey, I was especially happy to find out that in 1911, the brand filed a patent for a remarkable timepiece with double hour and minute hands, specifically created for Istanbul.

First pocket watch indicating two time zones (1918), photo taken at Longines Museum.

This innovative watch was the first in its field and allowed users to see the traditional Turkish time at the time and the Western time in one pocket watch simultaneously. This was a true milestone in international timekeeping, uniting cultures through precision.

Flyback function: Split-second decisions, one single push

(Left) 1936 – The iconic 13ZN chronograph. (Right) 1939 – Precision timing instruments capable of flyback and 1/100th second measurement.

Before the flyback function existed, resetting a chronograph mid-flight meant three steps: stop, reset, then start again. Not exactly ideal when you’re navigating a plane through the clouds at high speed. But Longines changed that with the flyback mechanism. With just one press, the stopwatch jumped back to zero and started timing a new interval right away.

The new mechanism was simple, fast, and precise, just what aviators needed.

Description of inventions. Patent for the 13ZN caliber equipped with flyback function (1936). Longines Museum.

Weems, Amy Johnson, and Longines: Synchronizing time in the skies

1927 Weems Second-Setting-Watch (left) and 1931The Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch (right) next to each other, Longines Museum.

Weems Second-Setting Watch, 1936, Longines Museum.

Until 1927, pilots could only set their watches to the nearest minute. That might sound precise enough, but even a 4-second error could throw a plane a mile off course, depending on its speed. To solve this, Longines worked with U.S. Navy officer Philip Van Horn Weems to design the Second-Setting Watch. Instead of struggling with the crown, pilots could simply rotate the inner dial to align the seconds hand with the radio time signal. This clever system made synchronization faster, easier, and more reliable in flights.

In 1932, British pilot Amy Johnson set a remarkable record, flying from England to Cape Town in just 4 days, 6 hours, and 54 minutes, with a Longines watch featuring an internal rotating bezel on her wrist.

This photo from the Longines Museum shows “Amy Johnson (left) being trained by navigation expert Philip Van Horn Weems. Over her sleeve, the British aviatrix is wearing a Longines pilot’s watch with an inner rotating disc that synchronizes the watch to the radio signal. On the desk there is another Longines pilot’s watch. (Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 3rd May “1”937).”

The Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch: A timepiece for transatlantic pioneers

Far more than a wristwatch, the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch was a trusted partner for aviators venturing into uncharted skies. Inspired by Charles A. Lindbergh’s daring non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927, this pioneering timepiece with its engraved rotating bezel, used together with a sextant and a nautical almanac, enabled pilots to calculate their exact geographical position. A tool of precision that turned courage into achievement.

Origins of the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch — from Lindbergh’s 1927 flight to the sketches that made navigation in the skies possible.

2007 reissue of the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch, honoring the pioneering tool that once guided aviators across the skies.

Heritage, Elegance, and Innovation in Harmony: Longines’ Five Main Collections Today

A look at Longines’ most legendary watches from the current collections, Longines Museum.

Master: A timeless blend of classic design and mechanical precision, the Master Collection showcases Longines’ watchmaking expertise with automatic movements, traditional complications, and elegant finishes. It’s the brand’s flagship for those who appreciate heritage craftsmanship with everyday sophistication.

LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION CHRONO MOONPHASE, L2.773.4.71.6, automatic watch, Ø 42.00 mm, stainless steel.

Conquest: Sporty, robust, and bold. The Conquest line is built for performance. Designed for those who lead an active lifestyle, these watches feature durable materials, water resistance, and a dynamic aesthetic rooted in Longines’ sporting legacy.

HYDROCONQUEST, L3.781.4.56.9, automatic watch, Ø 41.00 mm, stainless steel and ceramic bezel.

Spirit: Inspired by the pioneering spirit of aviators and explorers, this collection bridges heritage and innovation. With chronometer-certified movements and design cues from historical timepieces, Spirit watches celebrate bravery and precision.

LONGINES SPIRIT FLYBACK, L3.821.5.53.2, automatic watch, Ø 42.00 mm, stainless steel and 18 karat yellow gold cap 200.

Elegance: The name says it all: refined silhouettes, slim cases, and graceful dial designs. The Elegance line captures the understated charm and timeless appeal that have long defined Longines’ slogan: Elegance is an attitude.

LONGINES DOLCEVITA, L5.255.5.71.7, quartz watch, 20.80 x 32.00 mm, stainless steel with 18 karat pink gold crown.

Heritage: Steeped in history, the Heritage watches are faithful reinterpretations of iconic models from the brand’s past. These pieces bring vintage soul into modern times. Perfect for collectors and style lovers who want a story on their wrist.

LONGINES LEGEND DIVER, L3.764.4.90.7, automatic watch, Ø 39.00 mm, stainless steel.

What I Take Away from Longines’ Story

Visiting the Longines museum and listening to stories shared by the guides from the Heritage team reminded me that watches Longines has produced since the very beginning have been witnesses & companions of history, courage, and elegance. This experience gave me a new appreciation for how deeply a watchmaker can shape human adventures.

Note: Special thanks to Madame Fatima and Monsieur David, heritage team museum guides who accompanied me during my first and second visits to the museum. I couldn’t get their surnames, unfortunately.

Disclaimer: The photos featured in this article were taken by me during my visit to the Longines Museum (except where otherwise noted). If you’d like to use any of the photos I took, feel free; just be sure to credit me with my full name: Semiha Weber. Thank you!