Searching for the oldest Longines Watch in Japan Press Conference (Tokyo, Япония)

Март 4, 2010

Longines has launched the search for the oldest Longines watch in Japan to commemorate its presence of more than 110 years in this country. On Thursday, March 4, a press conference was held at the Cite du Temps Ginza in Tokyo.

The purpose of the search for the oldest Longines watch in Japan is to find ancient Longines watches in Japan that have been used with care and handed down for generations, provide an expert opinion on the years of production, and compare them to find the oldest watch. To apply, owners must fill in an application form with information including the serial number of their antique Longines timepiece and submit it with multiple photographs of the piece clearly showing the serial number. Application forms are available from official Longines retailers. Experts at the Longines main office in Switzerland will carefully examine the information and make their findings.

The certified owner of the oldest Longines watch in Japan will be awarded the prize for Japan’s Oldest Longines, and will be lucky enough to win a two-week trip for two to Switzerland. Moreover, a second contest will be organized and each of the five winners of Japan’s Vintage Longines prize will receive Longines’ latest mechanical watch. Finally twenty owners will receive Japan’s Precious Longines prize with a copy of a stunning book depicting Longines’ history.
The oldest Longines watches whose current existence in Japan has been confirmed belonged to Saigo Takamori, a politician who was active in the final days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. These pocket watches were presented to Saigo by Shimazu Tadayoshi, the 12th lord of the domain of Satsuma.
From the end of June and into July, an event called the Longines Vintage Museum will also be held. The Longines Museum in Switzerland’s Saint-Imier will be incorporated into this main event of the Antique Timepieces project, making it irresistible to antique fans.

At the press conference on Thursday, the reporters were greeted by Christophe Jeanneret, the Regional Sales Manager for Japan from the Longines Head office in Switzerland. Looking back on the company’s long history, he spoke about how craftsmen used to assemble watches at home until Longines became the one of the first companies in the world to manufacture watches in a factory. He also mentioned that Longines was among the first to register its logo and brand name as trademarks, and that it has produced more than 35 million timepieces since 1867. He then touched on the upcoming contest in Japan and said, “I can’t wait to see the timepieces that will beunearthed through this contest.”

At the press conference venue, the Retrograde Heritage 18K rose gold, which had been created for the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the trademark registration of the logo, was exhibited, along with several antique pieces and advertising posters of historic importance.

A flute performance symbolizing the historical background of Longines was given at the press conference, and the journalists listened attentively as they appreciated the brand’s long history.