Longines Times Belmont Stakes, Essential Quality Wins

In the watch industry, when you hear the words “essential quality” you think of the quality of the case, the dial, the movement, the finished product. But this past weekend, watches, timing and essential quality had a new meaning. That’s because a horse named Essential Quality won the 153rd Belmont Stakes – timed by Swiss watch brand Longines.

Essential Quality was ridden by Luis Saez at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York on Saturday. To celebrate the victory, Longines awarded the owner, trainer and jockey with Longines watches. Longines also presented elegant timepieces to Althiqa’s owner, trainer, and jockey who won the Longines Just a Game Stakes race.

For the Belmont Stakes, Longines named its DolceVita collection as the official watch.  With a rectangular case inspired by a 1920’s Longines watch, the Dolce Vita combines geometric lines and soft curves for elegant appeal. Crafted in steel and enhanced with diamonds, the model that is the official watch features a silvered “flinqué” dial adorned with painted Roman numerals. It is powered by a quartz movement and the watch boasts an interchangeable blue leather strap.

Also on race day, Longines Prize for Elegance Fashion Contest took place. A panel of judges, including Horse Racing Host/Reporter/Analyst Acacia Courtney and Longines US Brand President Brittany Garcia, selected the most elegant contestants, who were also awarded with a watch. Longines’ regular sponsorship of fashions at the horse races it times is in keeping with the brand’s motto, “Elegance is an Attitude.”