Longines at Royal Ascot 2026
Longines, the Swiss watchmaker and member of the Swatch Group, was the Official Partner, Official Time Partner and Official Watch of Royal Ascot, held in London from 16 to 20 June 2026. The brand’s long‑standing relationship with Ascot Racecourse, which began in 2007, was highlighted through a series of high‑profile engagements and product unveilings.
Ambassador Appearances
On 17 June, actor Henry Cavill, designated as Longines’ Ambassador of Elegance, made a distinguished appearance at the Longines Lounge, where he met guests and presented the award for the Royal Hunt Cup alongside Longines President and CEO Patrick Aoun. Cavill wore a vintage Longines monopusher chronograph dated 1926; the piece features a spiral tachymeter scale and is powered by the historic calibre 13.33Z, Longines’ first wrist chronograph movement introduced in 1913. Indian actress Sara Ali Khan, a Friend of the Brand, attended the event wearing a new three‑hand model from the Longines Master Collection, underscoring the brand’s appeal to both heritage and contemporary audiences.
Master Collection Launch
During the event Longines introduced the redesigned Master Collection, an evolution of the line first launched in 2005. The collection is offered in 30 mm, 34 mm, 39 mm and 41 mm case diameters for both women and men. Each model is equipped with Longines‑exclusive automatic movements – the L592.5 and L888.5 – both featuring silicon balance‑springs that improve precision, durability and magnetic resistance, and are visible through sapphire case backs. Design highlights include a barley‑corn patterned dial, optional mother‑of‑pearl versions with diamond indexes, silver‑toned dials with Arabic numerals, larger models in blue or silver, and 41 mm versions displaying Eastern Arabic numerals. Additional refinements comprise concave bezels, optional gold accents, redesigned hands, and a choice of stainless‑steel bracelets or leather straps. All automatic timepieces are backed by a five‑year guarantee.
Technological Partnership and Equestrian Heritage
Longines’ partnership with Ascot extends beyond branding; in June 2018 the two entities launched the Longines Tracking System, the first satellite‑based real‑time data solution for horse racing, delivering precise horse positioning, performance metrics and race dynamics. The system was deployed again at the 2026 Royal Ascot, reinforcing Longines’ commitment to innovation in the sport. The brand’s equestrian involvement dates back to its founding in 1832 in Saint‑Imier, Switzerland, with milestones such as the 1869 equestrian‑themed pocket watch, the 1878 20H chronograph movement, and participation in a 1912 show‑jumping competition in Lisbon. Longines continues to support major races worldwide, including the Kentucky Derby, Dubai World Cup, Hong Kong International Races and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and collaborates with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to promote the sport’s development and integrity.
Corporate Profile
Longines operates in over 130 countries, maintains a heritage of elegance and precision, and is a subsidiary of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of timepieces. The brand’s commitment to technical excellence is reflected in its use of silicon balance‑springs across all automatic models and its five‑year guarantee on the newly launched Master Collection.