Show jumping and a Longines Conquest Classic

A few days ago, I got a rather pleasant surprise when I opened my email, it was an invitation from Longines to join them as their guest at the kickoff of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League, held at the Bromont Equestrian Park. Plus, I will get to wear at the event the two-tone, stainless steel and rose gold, Longines Conquest Classic! Beautiful horses, nice watches and cool people, how can I say no to such an invitation?

When we met in the morning, I could feel there was a lot of excitement in the air, combined also with a bit of anxiety. This was the first time an event of this caliber would take place in Canada. With all the weekend traffic, will we make it in time? Will it rain? As we were getting closer to Bromont, and the clouds give place to the sun, all our worries evaporated and we were ready to discover the venue.

The Longines logo was everywhere: banners, clocks, lanyards, the new Longines collection at the entrance of the VIP lounge, even the security guy had a Longines cap. After all, Longines is the official partner and timekeeper of FEI World Cup jumping events all over the world.

Their relationship with equestrian sports has a long history, and over the years it became and important part of the Longines DNA. We can go back, as far as 1878, when a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount was produced. It was used as early as 1881 in New York by people involved in the world of horses and enabled to time performances to the seconds. Besides, the company partnered for the first time with an international show jumping competition in Portugal by 1912.

Today, along with show jumping, Longines is an active partner in flat racing, eventing and endurance. In these three disciplines, it is the Official Partner, Timekeeper and Watch of international institutions, events, races and competitions.

Schuyler Riley on Dobra de Porceyo

After a delicious buffet dinner, just before the competition would start, we got a tour of the racing ground having as a guide an official FEI course designer, who explained us all the challenges awaiting the competing horses and their riders. As a neophyte, I was totally flabbergasted by the attention given to all the details that went into deciding where to place the obstacles.

Once we got back in the VIP lounge, the main event started; the horses and their riders came one after another, attacking the obstacles. As I was watching them, their power, discipline, grace, and beauty, made me realize why Longines chose to get involved with equestrian sports for such a long time. The chronograph on my wrist had all these qualities. Let’s take a closer look at this piece:

Longines Conquest Classic (MSRP $5,900 CAD)

I’m a big fan of two-tone watches, because you can wear them with anything. In a formal context, the gold will enhance the luxurious side of the timepiece, while in a casual setting, the stainless steel will help you dress it down.

With a diameter of 41 mm, it might sound like a small piece for a chronograph, but it actually has a nice presence, and to be frank, since I have a small wrist, I prefer to stay under 42 mm. The rose gold bezel that surounds the black dial with the rose gold applied indexes and hands, create a highly visible face, giving this chronograph a sporty allure.

The Conquest Classic is powered by the Calibre L688, a column wheel chronograph movement.

Of course, I could not resist the temptation to use the chronograph to time one of the riders. Operating the L688 — a Valjoux 7750 with column wheel chronograph function — was really smooth and responsive.

Now, we have to return to show jumping, as in the mean time, we got a winner: Schuyler Riley from Vermont, on the graceful Dobra de Porceyo. Just as the event was wrapped up and people were heading home, the sky suddenly turned dark and a heavy rain started pouring down. But by that time, we were already in the car on our way back to Montreal.

Ian Charbonneau, Longines Brand Manager Canada. Schulyer Riley, Dobra de Porceyo, winners of The Longines FEI World Cup – North American League, Bromont, Canada

The next stop in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League will take place this weekend, on August 16, at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC. If you’re on the West Coast, here is a great occasion to enjoy an afternoon of elegance, performance and tradition brought to you by Longines and the FEI.

www.longines.com

Longines Conquest Classic

The model I was wearing came with a black alligator strap, equipped with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism.

The case is stainless steel, while the bezel, the push buttons and the crown are rose gold.