Weehawken, June 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Longines, the internationally renowned Swiss watch brand and Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Belmont Stakes, timed Tonalist's victory at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 7.
See video from Longines here: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/swatch_group/belmont_stakes_2014/
The heavily-favored California Chrome captured America's attention at Preakness, building anticipation for the Belmont Stakes. After a slow start, California Chrome dropped to fourth place leaving Tonalist to win the Belmont Stakes and end California Chrome's hopes of securing the Triple Crown title.
In 1978, Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes to achieve what's considered the greatest accomplishment of a thoroughbred racehorse. Now, more than 30 years later, the title remains elusive.To honor Tonalist's victory, Jennifer Judkins, U.S. Brand President for Longines, gifted owner Robert Evans, jockey Joel Rosario and Valerie Clement, wife of trainer Christophe Clement, with elegant timepieces from the Longines Conquest Classic collection.
This year, the brand hosted the first Longines Most Elegant Woman at Belmont fashion contest to celebrate the elegant style associated with the Triple Crown. The chic ladies of Belmont walked the runway for judges Briana Mott from Fashion at the Races, Miss New York Kira Kazantsev and Tom Murro, of Fox Morning Extra, who selected the most elegant woman and awarded her a stainless steel and rose gold watch from the Conquest Classic Collection featuring a stunning diamond bezel. Longines Conquest Classic watches were also presented to the owner, trainer and jockey of Coffee Clique, the winner of the "Longines Just a Game" race.
Longines' passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when it produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. First worn on the racetracks as early as 1881 and extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers, this model enabled its user to time performances to the seconds. It was already being used by most sport judges in New York in 1886.
About the watches
Conquest Classic is available in three sizes. The ladies' models have a diameter of 29.50 mm with a black, mother-of-pearl or silvered dial and are available in steel, rose gold or a combination of steel and rose gold. In some models the bezel is also set with 30 diamonds. A second model with hours, minutes and date is available with a diameter of 40.00 mm, fitted on black alligator straps, steel and rose gold or stainless steel bracelets, each to match the dial. At 41 mm, the chronographs are fitted with a column-wheel movement exclusively developed for Longines. The case is available in steel, steel and rose gold or solid rose gold with silver or black dials.
About 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 140 countries.