Time
The Prix de Diane Longines promotes the art of elegance
By MyWatch
Having beeninvolved inthe world of sport since 1878,Longines has a vast experience in timing equestrian events. As part of its partnership with France Galop, the organisation responsible for national flat racing and show-jumping in France, Longines will be present at Chantilly, Deauville and Longchamp racecourses as official timekeeper, and the Prix de Diane Longines indeed represents the highlight of this association.
This famous race, which the English call the “FrenchOaks”, is runover 2100metres at theChantilly racecourse and draws over 30,000 spectators each year. The race was inaugurated on 18 May 1843 and has always been reserved for 3-year old fillies.
With a passionate involvement in equestrian sport for almost 90 years, Longines is also an official partner and time-keeper formany equestrian events, such asmost of the CSIO Nations Cup show-jumping competitions as well as the various competitions organised by the Arab Equestrian League. In addition, apart from its traditional involvement in the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which includes the Longines MacKinnon Stakes, Longines is also the official timekeeper for other major meetings such as the Longines Singapore Gold Cup, organised by the Singapore Turf Club, theDubaiWorld Cup and the traditional Kentucky Derby, which is held at the Churchill Downs racecourse. Moreover, Longines has the honour of being the official timekeeper of the flat races atAscot which includes the prestigiousi Royal Ascot event. The brand has deliberately chosen to be involved in equestrian events because they demand concentration, precision and experience.
Traditional picnics on lush green lawns, beautiful women wearing exquisite hats: the Prix deDianeLongines is an essential date in the social calendar and at the same time it is one of the most prestigious and popular dates in the flat race season. The racecourse at themagnificentChâteau deChantilly will provide an ideal backdrop for Longines to illustrate the qualities of style and elegance that it promotes. In the same vein, the brand will be presenting a prize to the most elegant woman in its “Mademoiselle Diane par Longines” competition.
If elegance could be defined in a single look, what would it be for you? This year the Longines Prize for Elegance will be awarded to the woman who best embodies the values of refinement and glamour of the Prix de Diane Longines.
The principle is straightforward: wear your most elegant outfit and have your photograph taken in the Jardins de Diane. Conservative or eccentric, arty or classical, retro or avant-garde… there are many ways to be elegant and you can prove it! Be true to Longines slogan: Elegance is an attitude.
The woman who wins the most votes will be crowned Mademoiselle Diane 2011 and will go home with a Longines DolceVita timepiece. Considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful women, the Indian actress and Longines ambassador of elegance Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be presenting this fantastic prize.
