Weehawken, NJ, May 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Longines, the internationally renowned Swiss watch brand and Official Timekeeper and Watch of the 138th running of The Preakness Stakes, ceremoniously awarded Oxbow's owner, trainer and jockey with watches from the Longines Saint-Imier Collection on Saturday, May 18 in the winner's circle at Pimlico Race Course.
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Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing for Longines and Jennifer Judkins, U.S. Brand Manager for Longines awarded Erin Kelley, daughter of owner Brad Kelley, Trainer D. Wayne Lukas and Jockey Gary Stevens with elegant timepieces after the 15-1 long shot surprised the crowd with his upset victory.
Longines had a prominent presence throughout Pimlico on Preakness day serving as the Official Timekeeper and Watch with a large chronograph at the finish line and hosting the Longines Most Elegant Woman at Preakness Fashion Contest. To highlight its partnership, the watchmaker had a digital "Longines Preakness Stakes Countdown Clock" on the official Preakness Stakes website, www.preakness.com and served as the presenting partner of the International Pavilion, the premier hospitality destination. Positioned at the finish line, the International Pavilion brings the world to the Preakness by selecting a different country each year to serve as the host nation with its respective embassy and Ambassador serving as Honorary Host. The embassy of Japan and Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae served as the 2013 host nation.
The Longines Most Elegant Woman at Preakness Fashion Contest celebrated the elegant style of The Preakness Stakes. With the help of celebrity judges Torrey Smith of the Baltimore Ravens and "Miss Racing Queen" Tatiana Schoeppler, Longines chose the most elegant woman and awarded her a stainless steel and rose gold watch of the Longines Saint-Imier Collection featuring a stunning diamond bezel. Longines watches from the Saint-Imier Collection were also presented to the winning horses' owner, trainer and jockey of the Dixie Stakes presented by Longines.
About the Watches
Based in Saint-Imier since 1832, the Longines Saint-Imier collection is inspired by the watchmaking heritage of the brand's hometown. To celebrate its rich history and roots within the village of Saint-Imier, the collection includes a series of luxurious timepieces in stainless steel and rose gold bracelet combinations, as well as rose gold and stainless steel leather band combinations. The chronograph watches within the collection are fitted with the column-wheel movement specially developed and produced by ETA exclusively for Longines.
Emanating the core values and aesthetic of the brand - tradition, elegance and performance - the Longines Saint-Imier Collection is rooted in the unique shape of the case inspired by a 1945 Longines watch model. The watches in the collection display sleek lines and distinctive lugs, giving them a classic yet contemporary appeal. All models are fitted with mechanical movements whose intricate workings can be admired through the transparent sapphire back cover.
LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.