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The Grande Vitesse

Press release

Longines Sport Collection

GrandeVitesse: measuring records

With the GrandeVitesse line, Longines has sought to give material form to the concept of speed through a series of models honouring the memory of the fastest men in history and destined for bold sportsmen of today. Fluid lines, aerodynamic curves, energy-filled typography, tachymeter and the form of the pushers are just some of the distinctive signs of this watch made for speed. It is inspired by the world of automobile and motor sports, for which Longines for years provided the timekeeping.

It is in the nature of man to wish to attain ever faster speeds. Records are made to be beaten, pushing back physical limits each time in the same way as the demands made on the equipment for measuring them become increasingly severe. In the field of timing, Longines can boast a long experience, marked by fundamental technological advances enabling time to be divided into increasingly small fractions of a second, but also by famous speed records, such as that of Donald Campbell with his Bluebird, who in 1964 became the fastest man on earth at a speed of 648 km/h.

With the models of the GrandeVitesse series, the notion of speed becomes truly tangible. Their technical and aesthetic characteristics are such as to raise them to the stature of instruments for timing records. Each has a Æ 42 mm case in stainless steel, the aerodynamic curves and harmonious outline of which evoke both performance and elegance.

The “Racing” and “Classic” models are equipped with a double tachymeter on the bezel or dial. Graduated in km/h and mph, they enable the measuring of a ground speed of about Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound or about 2,477 km/h at sea level and 20°C). The special “Cavalier” model also has a similar device but limited to the speed of a galloping horse.

The GrandeVitesse series includes automatic chronographs with mechanical movements, visible through the sapphire glass base. The dial is available in silver sunray, black and chocolate colour for the Racing models, and opaline silver, midnight blue, black and rhodium-plated for the Classic models. It features a “big 12”, the design of which is inspired by the form of the numbers used in marking racing cars. The “Cavalier” model has a chestnut brown dial with Arabic numerals.

The sporting spirit of the series is further stressed by the non-slip embossing of the crown, case band and a pusher. One of the pushers is highlighted in bright red in the “Racing” model, and enable the activation of the chronograph functions indicated by the same colour on the dial.

The different models are available with a steel bracelet and leather or rubber strap fitted with a triple security folding clasp. A reminding of the materials customarily used in the competition world… and the necessary precautions to be observed during a race.

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