Original New Old Stock Vintage Steel Longines Wristwatch Buckle Inside Width: 14 cm LONGINES History Longines was founded in 1866 at Les Longines near Saint-Imier by Ernest Francillon who was a nephew of Auguste Agassiz (one of the pioneers of Swiss horology). In 1873, Longines was awarded a gold medal for precision and reliability at the Universal Exposition of Vienna. This success was followed by many further horological honors. Longines' record of ten "Grands Prix" and 28 "Medailles d'Or" has never been equaled by any other watch manufacturer. To define its high grade watch from imitation, the trademark, winged hour glass, was used from its early days (this mark was submitted to Swiss Patents Office in 1889). In the early part of the 20th century, Longines left its mark in the fields of exploration and aviation. Many famous pioneers, e.g., Charles Lindbergh, Richard Byrd, Roald Amundsen, and Amelia Earheart, faced historic challenges with a Longines watch on their wrist. Longines also made its presence known in the field of sports time-keeping. Longines' first chronograph was made in 1879, and Longines has been supporting many Olympic games. In the 1910s first wristwatch chronographs were also produced by Longines. Now Longines chronograph is certainly one of the hottest collector's items.