Grand Award Presentation of Searching for the Oldest Longines Watch in China (Shanghai, 中華人民共和国)
1月 30, 2010
In the spring of 2010, the year of Tiger, the world-renowned watchmaker, Longines held a grand awarding event in Shanghai to “Searching for the Oldest Longines Watch in China". Longines watch collectors, fans, celebrities and watch critics were invited to ceremoniously announce the 20 oldest Longines watches found from the campaign, recounting the more than 140 years of legendary history of Longines in China, sharing their precious stories, and appreciating the incomparable treasures.
To pay tribute to the glorious Chinese culture, present the more than 140 years' legendary history of Longines and China, and reward Chinese consumers for their favor for Longines watches, the brand initiated the event of "Searching for the Oldest Longines Watch in China". From August 30 to December 20, 2009, Longines watch collectors were invited to submit information about their treasures and participate in this elegant selection. During the 112 days, information about 336 Longines watches was received. Longines headquarters in Switzerland have carried out professional verification and appraisal of all participating watches, and finally selected 20 oldest extant Longines watches in China and 4 special awards watches.
Magnificent and elegant, the event venue decoration brighten guests’ eye. Passing the bamboo-shadowed corridor, a graceful ink drawing of lofty mountains and flowing water appeared, in which the sentence “Searching for the oldest Longines watch in China" was written in handsome Chinese calligraphy. The exhibition zone was like a beautiful Chinese courtyard where the oldest Longines watches were showcased on screen walls and antique shelves originally designed with Chinese elements, while models wearing ancient costumes presented the masterpieces of different times specially shipped from Switzerland-based Longines museum to China. The massive scroll painting, screen and corridor together demonstrated Longines' more than 140 years' history in China ever since 1867, as if unfolding a poetic painting. The grand awarding event started with a graceful calligraphy dance in profound Chinese culture style, followed by an aesthetic video titled "Legend of Elegant Longines in China" that was accompanied by melodious Chinese Gu Qin and cello performance, illustrating the close tie between Longines and China for nearly one and a half centuries and astounding the audience with wonder! After that, Chinese watch critics, chief editors of fashion media and celebrities of all social circles awarded the prizes to winners and wittily commented on Longines' elegance, including film and TV actress Zhao Ziqi, writer Yan Geling, Er-Hu performer Ma Xiaohui, Kunqu Opera artist Zhang Jun, and pianist Kong Xiangdong.
Top 1 is a pocket watch in silver, treasured by Mr. Zhou Yong, its serial no. is 5535, equipped with 20C movement. It is Invoiced on Dec.12,1869 according to the sales archive at the Longines museum, is the oldest watch found from the campaign of “Searching for the oldest Longines watch in China". All collectors of the top 20 and owners of the 4 special awards won the honor of "Elegant Friend of Longines" together with a Longines watch, while the first prize winner won a Longines Master Collection Retrograde and was invited to Switzerland for a 2-week special trip of elegance.
Just as Mr. Von Keanel, Longines President, the one who initiated this campaign said, "through Searching for the oldest Longines watch in China, we are searching and discovering the love of Chinese people for Longines and for elegance. This beautiful sentiment is the most precious treasure."
