Longines Watch Company – Brief History
Founded: 1832
Founder: Auguste Agassiz
Location: Saint-Imier, Switzerland
Longines was founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832. By the 1860s, under his nephew Ernest Francillon, the company consolidated production into a single factory in an area called “Les Longines” (meaning “long meadows”), giving the brand its name.
Innovations:
- 1867: Longines produced its first in-house movement, the 20A, which won an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.
- 1889: Longines registered its winged hourglass logo.
- Early 1900s: The brand gained a strong reputation for precision, often winning chronometer competitions.
- 1927: Charles Lindbergh, after his historic transatlantic flight, collaborated with Longines to design the Hour Angle Watch, aiding pilots in celestial navigation.
Legacy:
Longines is renowned for its blend of precision, classic design, and innovation, with a continuous production history of nearly 200 years. Its watches are popular among both collectors and those seeking timeless Swiss craftsmanship.
Service and Repair of this Longines Men’s Watch
The watch shown on the bench is a great example of how regular care and maintenance can preserve a timepiece over decades. Clearly well cared for and serviced at appropriate intervals, this watch showed minimal signs of mechanical wear—a rarity in vintage pieces of its age. The movement was clean, components were in excellent condition, and only minor adjustments were needed during the service. After reassembly and regulation, it ran smoothly and accurately, demonstrating just how well a properly maintained watch can perform even after many years. Watches like this are a pleasure to work on and a testament to the value of consistent upkeep.
If you would like to have your vintage timepieces repaired, be sure to visit our dedicated pages on Vintage Rolex repair, Vintage Breitling repair, Vintage Omega repair, and Vintage Heuer repair, as well as our guide on how to begin the repair process for your own vintage watch.
