Longines Times Tapwrit's Win at Belmont Stakes

MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - June 12, 2017) - The Swiss watch brand and Official Timekeeper of the Belmont Stakes, Longines clocked the official time of Tapwrit's exciting victory at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 10^th.

With the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners out of the running, this year's Belmont Stakes gave 12 contenders one last chance at claiming a spot in Triple Crown history. Irish War Cry went into the race as the favorite after finishing 10^th in the Kentucky Derby and was looking to avenge his loss with a win in the 1 ½ mile race. In the end, it was Tapwrit who took the prize.

To honor Tapwrit's victory, elegant Longines Conquest Classic timepieces were presented to Tapwrit's owner Robert V. LaPenta, trainer Todd A. Pletcher, and jockey Jose L. Ortiz. Earlier in the afternoon, Longines presented Conquest Classic watches to the victors of the "Longines Just a Game" race: Antonoe's owner Juddmonte Farms, Inc., trainer Chad Brown, and jockey, Javier Castellano.

This year, the brand hosted the second annual Longines Prize for Elegance fashion contest at Belmont to celebrate style and glamour associated with the Triple Crown. The ladies of Belmont walked the runway for celebrity judges, including Brent Qvale, NFL New York Jets Player, Tom Murro, TV Personality and Huffington Post contributor, Lara Eurdolian, NYC style reporter, PrettyConnected.com, and Laurie Brookins of The Hollywood Reporter.

Brent Qvale, Tom Murro, Lara Eurdolian and Laurie Brookins selected the most elegant woman from among the many fashionable attendees, Leckie Roberts, and awarded her a timepiece from the Longines DolceVita collection.

The fashionable affair at Belmont racetrack in New York was well-attended by notable personalities, including celebrity chef Bobby Flay, New York Congressman Gregory Meeks, and former NY Giants player Chris Canty, along with Matt Martin of the Toronto Maple Leafs and former NY Islanders player Rick DiPietro. Capping the day off was a spectacular performance by singer-songwriter Andy Grammar, best known for hits such as "Honey, I'm Good" and "Fresh Eyes."

Longines' passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when the Swiss watch brand 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 second. It was already being used by most sport judges in New York in 1886.

About the watches

The official watch of this year's Triple Crown is the Conquest 1/100th Horse Racing, paying homage to all those passionate about flat racing and Longines' rich tradition in sports timekeeping. The first traces of the involvement of Longines in equestrian sport, and especially in horse racing, dates back to 1878. It was at this time that the brand produced one of its most emblematic items, a chronograph engraved with the image of a jockey and his mount, which allowed performances to be timed to the second.

Longines presented a model from The Longines DolceVita Collection, a line inspired by the Italian sweet life exuding contemporary elegance and femininity. Cased in steel and rose gold, this timepiece displays a silver-coloured "flinqué" dial adorned with painted Roman numerals and is mounted a stainless steel bracelet.

For more information and photography from the 2017 Belmont Stakes visit:

http://inr.synapticdigital.com/Longines/belmont_2017

About Longines:

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World's leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.