The history of the Longines brand started in 1832 in Saint-Imier, when Auguste Agassiz founded his watchmakers' concern. 

Ernest Francillon, Auguste Agassiz's nephew, settled in Saint-Imier in 1854. It was he who in 1867 inaugurated the first factory that brought all the procedures necessary to make timepieces, together under one roof.

In 1889, Francillon patented a trademark comprising the name Longines and the now famous winged hourglass. Today, Longines is the oldest trademark or logo still in use in its original form registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

As early as 1867, Longines was using the winged hourglass symbol and the tradename "Longines" as a guarantee of quality in order to combat counterfeit products aimed at taking advantage of the reputation already established by the company.  The brand known by its winged hourglass logo now has outlets in over 150 countries.

Longines' long-lasting involvement in sports started in 1878 with the first chronograph manufactured by Longines, the legendary 20H movement.

Longines gradually built a special relationship with the world of sport. It can rely on many years of experience as a timekeeper for world championships in sport or as a partner of international sports federations. Today, the brand is present in various sports, which must always live up to its criteria of elegance.