Les Elégantes de Longines 2010: The Refinement Of The Twenties

The early years of the 20th century brought a major revolution in the world of watchmaking. The advent of the wristwatch and the development of smaller and more reliable movements enabled the watchmakers of the period to exploit their creative talents to the full. Watches, which until then had been relegated to the depths of men’s waistcoat pockets, began to be worn on the wrist. But the craftsmen at Longines were soon turning their creative skills to ladies’ models, lending the Art Deco style a new expression in elegant and charming timepieces for women. With shaped cases in white gold set with precious stones or playfully decorated – a true in-depth exploration of the exuberant fashion of the time – the jewelled watches created by Longines in the first 30 years of the 20th century soon became immensely popular among the female population.

Longines Les Elégantes de Longines 2010

In 2002 Longines decided to revive the beautiful creations of the 1920s. The models produced at that time were reviewed and reissued. The result was the Les Elégantes de Longines collection, which was an immediate hit among amateur (female) collectors of exceptional pieces. Since then, each spring, new models that are delicate, fine examples of the Art Deco spirit are added to this timeless, elegant collection.

This year Longines has created three new models inspired by the exuberance of the 1920s to make up its 2010 edition of Les Elégantes de Longines. The first is a rectangular watch in yellow gold, set on an elegant strap in black satin. The second, a delicate piece in rose gold, has a tonneau-shaped case that fits snugly on to a bordeaux satin strap. And the third is a graceful white gold model with an almond-shaped case and a white satin strap. The cases of all three models have been hand-engraved in the Art Deco style and set with 24 to 42 Top Wesselton VVS diamonds that add a final sparkle. The Arabic numerals add a delicate charm to the silvered dials and blued hands.

True to its traditions, the famous Swiss watch manufacturer has selected an authentic hand-wound movement dating from the 1970s for this elegant collection – the Longines L805 calibre, set with 17 rubies and beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour. This precious trio has been produced in a limited series of ten pieces only.