Cover Longines is the Official Timekeeper, Official Watch and Official Partner of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Longines is the Official Timekeeper, Official Watch and Official Partner of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
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Besides being the Official Timekeeper, Official Watch and Official Partner of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Longines is also the Presenting Partner of athletics and rhythmic gymnastics
Not many realise that Longines has a deep history in sports timekeeping, a legacy that began as early as 1878 when it produced the first chronograph pocket watches to time horse races. This led to an enduring relationship with equestrian sports that now includes prestigious Ascot and the Longines Global Champions Tour. As its involvement in sports deepened, the St-Imier watchmaker produced numerous performance-based timing instruments, from the quartz Chronocamera capable of capturing precision up to 1/100th of a second to the Swim-O-Scop timer for swimming events.
Then there is the Commonwealth Games, which it first became the Official Timekeeper in 1962 in Perth, Australia. Since then, it has assumed that role multiple times, including the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. This year, Longines plays an expanded role that includes Official Watch and Official Partner at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It is also the Presenting Partner in athletics and rhythmic gymnastics.
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Electronic Starting System
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As the Official Timekeeper, Longines leverages on its knowledge and expertise to create state-of-the-art instruments. The athletics and para-athletics races features the Longines Electronic Starting System (E-gun) that transmits the start signal simultaneously to the speakers behind each athlete for a perfectly synchronised start.
The vastly improved Longines Photo-Finish-Scanners for the athletics and track cycling are capable of determining the finishing times and order with absolute precision—40,000 digital lines per second for the former, and 10,000 digital line per second for the latter.
In swimming, the Longines Touchpad Technology comprises pressure-sensitive panels precisely records each swimmer’s finishing time.
These are complemented with the Longines Real-Time Tracking System that measures performance beyond start and finish such as speed, position and distance, and delivering these data live to broadcasters and spectators. Longines has also developed its own graphics system that instantly decipher complex timing data into clear and dynamic visualisations.
See also: Longines’ high-frequency Ultra-Chron is back in its original 1960s form
Above The Longines House in Glasgow
The Longines House in Glasgow
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And for the first time, the St-Imier watchmaker has established a Longines House in The Collectors Hall located besides the AC Marriott Hotel in the heart of Glasgow. Designed to be an immersive experience into the Longines universe, the Longines House traces its heritage in sports and competitive timekeeping through a dynamic programme that includes talks and an exhibition.
Read more: Inside the Rolex Oyster Story exhibition in Shanghai
Above Longines Hydroconquest 2026 Commonwealth Games Special Edition
Longines Hydroconquest 2026 Commonwealth Games Special Edition
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Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a special timepiece to commemorate this sporting milestone. Limited to 2,026 pieces, the Commonwealth Games Hydroconquest comes in 39mm and 42mm steel with black ceramic unidirectional bezel and a polished teal gradient dial inspired by the colours of the Games. It is powered by the automatic L888.5 movement with silicon balance spring. The rubber strap comes with a double-folding safety clasp.
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Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
