Conquest Jumping from Longines

By Staff Report October 6, 2015

Fresh off the Masters of Los Angeles show jumping competition, Longines has unveiled a new watch, Conquest Jumping, a model dedicated specifically to the discipline. Fitted with an exclusive, cutting-edge movement, this watch can be used to time jumping competitions to 1/100^th of a second and also take into account the many regulations that govern the sport.

The watch reflects a history of more than a century of company involvement in equestrian sport, Longines Vice President Charles Villoz said in debuting the timepiece.

Longines’ participation in horse sport dates back to 1878, when the brand, known for its winged hourglass logo, produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Since 1912, when Longines first timed a show-jumping competition, it was associated with some of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events. This enduring passion led in 2013 to the formalization of the brand’s partnership with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body for international equestrian sport competition. The new Conquest Jumping was developed in collaboration with the FEI.

This latest addition to the Conquest line is intended for all those directly involved in show jumping, as well as enthusiasts of the discipline. Trainers, judges and fans will now be able to precisely measure each rider’s performance using an elegant analogue wristwatch, while taking into account in real time the many FEI regulations that apply to internationally rated jumping competitions.

The specific and varied requirements for timing this discipline have led to the development of a new Longines movement, namely the L441, which has technical capabilities that evoke the innovations of avant-garde quartz movements produced by Longines from the 1960s onwards. This new model enables the timing of a Jumping round to be recorded to 1/100^th of a second, as well as converting penalties into time or adding time penalties for exceeding the time allowed, depending on whether the competition is run under Table A or C. With its ability to combine timing with penalty points, this chronograph is the first of its kind in the world.

According to John P. Roche, Director of Jumping at the FEI, “Jumping is a discipline that demands among others, precision, speed and technical ability. In a competition these criteria are assessed using many strict and detailed regulations. This means that the range of functions necessary to time Jumping competitions is quite extensive. To devise a wristwatch that has all the functions and features necessary for timing this sport is a true challenge that Longines has met very successfully.”

As a show jumping sponsor, Longines has created a rather unique position for itself with its massive commitment to the sport. Its name graces some very high-profile events, as well as becoming the title sponsor of the world FEI show jumping rankings (now officially known as the Longines FEI Rankings).

The company recently wrapped the four-day Longines Masters of Los Angeles show, part of an international series that includes competition in Paris and Hong Kong, produced by EEM. At the Longines Los Angeles Masters winners received luxury Longines timepieces. Men won the Conquest Classic Moonphase, while women received a diamond-encrusted DolceVita model.

The Conquest Jump chronograph blends performance and elegance, with a circular steel case with a diameter of 41 mm, the back of which is engraved with a design representing a horse jumping an obstacle. Protected by a sapphire glass, the dial is available in black or silver. The timepiece displays the hours and minutes with a centre-sweep seconds plus the date and has a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock. The red, centrally mounted hand shows the hundredths of a second on the flange. A counter at 10 o’clock displays the faults and penalty points, while the counter at 2 o’clock shows the two possible Tables (A or C) as well as the seconds timed. A 45-second scale enables the user to follow the countdown after the bell has been rung for each competitor to start their round. The watch is fitted on a steel bracelet with a folding safety clasp.

According to Walter von Känel, President of Longines, “Equestrian sport represents far more than a discipline or a passion – it is a whole world in itself. A world that has brought together Longines and equestrian enthusiasts for more than a century through one key value: elegance. Longines is therefore proud to launch a new watch dedicated to the horse and more specifically to jumping.”

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