How do Brits feel about all things marriage and love in 2023?
- 25 Jul 2023
Longines is renowned in the luxury watch industry for excellent timepiece accuracy and high-quality craftsmanship. Here's what you should know before you buy.
A brief history of Longines Watches
Derived from the Swiss Les Longines meaning long meadows, Longines pays homage to the first factory site built in Switzerland in 1867 to manufacture the luxury watches we know today.
The Longines brand started in 1832 when Auguste Agassiz and his two partners established the Saint-Imier establishment to make and sell pocket watches. After becoming head of the company and the watches finding success in the United States, Agassiz took on his nephew, Ernest Francillon, to run the company. Here, Francillon worked on ways to improve the manufacturing methods in watchmaking.
While under Agassiz, the brand used common procedures used in watchmaking whereby watchmakers would work at home and supply their products to the trading offices. However, Francillon wondered about how the industrial revolution would impact the manufacturing process so he decided to take all the different stages of watchmaking and bring them all under one roof.
To achieve this, Francillon bought two adjoining pieces of land in 1866 and built his factory which was completed a year later. The factory was built on the bank of the River Suze, known locally as Les Longines', meaning long meadows, and so Francillon adopted this name for his factory.
Francillon then took on Jacques David who helped develop the machines required for perfecting watch manufacturing. Because of his innovation and industrial thinking, Francillion continually expanded the factory until the early 20th Century.
The research into technology at Longines rewarded them with various prizes, the first of which was awarded at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867 for its first pocket watch product - the 20A. Throughout the brand's history, technical research has allowed Longines to produce high-precision timekeeping and quality manufacturing.
Due to its precise timekeeping reputation, Longines is the official timekeeper in many sports, including equestrian, horse-racing, Formula 1, alpine skiing competitions and gymnastic competitions. To this day, Longines continues to be a reliable and precise timekeeping brand, not only for sports but for all the masses.
Who owns the Longines brand today?
Longines has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Swatch Group, formerly Socit Suisse de Microlectronique et d'Horlogerie (SMH), since 1983. Founded by Nicholas G Hayek, the Swiss Swatch Group is the world watchmaking leader, with other brands such as ETA, Omega, Harry Winston, Hamilton and more under the company.
The current president of Longines is Matthias Breschan who has previously worked for the Swatch Group sister brands, Hamilton and Rado, for a number of years.
Where are Longines items produced now?
Longines watches are still being made in Switzerland, St-Imier, where they were first produced and have remained there since. They are the only watchmaker to have stayed in their original hometown to this day.
What is in the Longines range?
Longines continues to produce one of the most precise timekeeping watches in the world, but their range also includes sunglasses and straps for watches. The Longines tradition of keeping to quality is evident with their ability to provide original straps for watches so you can keep the authentic look of your watch or you can customise it to your preference.
In 2019, Longines began designing, producing and distributing the new optical and sun eyewear range for men and women. This new range embodies the brand's aesthetic and technological know-how to provide exquisite products. The optical and sunglasses range was developed in compliance with the strictest quality requirements and meticulous attention to detail, much like the production of its watches.
Where can I buy Longines products?
Longines products are widely available both online and in-store“ thanks to the company's selected network of retailers. You can find approved retailers in your country that sell authentic Longines products on their websites. Select countries can also purchase from Longines' online stores. At Chisholm Hunter, we stock a wide range of official Longines products including the high-performance HydroConquest for professional divers; the exquisite La Grande Classique collection; the classically authentic Master collection and the impeccable design of the Spirit watches.
How much do Longines products cost?
As with any luxury watch line, prices are on the higher end however, in relation to the rest of the watch industry, Longine places itself as a more attainable and affordable luxury brand compared to its pricier competitors.
Many high street retailers will have Longines products starting from around the £600 mark for the Conquest or La Grande Classique collections and up to several thousands of pounds for collections with more advanced technology and design.
The technical precision and high-quality build of Longines watches coupled with its devotion to tradition and research have helped place the company as the successful luxury brand it is today.
How can I tell if a Longines product is genuine?
Many Longines watches have very small numbers and markings printed on the dial below the number 6. These small markings show the movement number and plate number, which you'll need a magnifying glass to see. Counterfeit Longines watches usually don't have these markings but the ones that do are often done improperly, with defects and have more scratches on the dial surface.
Another way to find out if your Longines watch is genuine is to check the back of the watch case. A genuine Longines watch will be engraved with the watch brand name, the name of the country the watch was manufactured in and special trademark patterns for the watch brand. An authentic Longines watch case is fine and exquisite with a high finish and consistent assembly. A counterfeit watch will have a rough and imprecise watch case. Usually, letters are engraved on the open position of the case to show the amount of gold plating but counterfeit products will not have this mark. You can also check for the authenticity of your watch by going directly to Longines. Since 1867, Longines has kept a record of every single serial number of its watches so you can receive detailed information about your watch and a certificate of authenticity if it is genuine. Longines serial numbers are found engraved on the back of the watch case and are 5 to 8 digits long. In some cases, the serial number may be found on the movement or inside the watch so you may have to remove the case to see it.
Where can I get my Longines watch appraised?
If you'd like to get an appraisal of your Longines products then look for a local jeweller or watchmaker who offers a valuation service.
Older pieces that are in excellent condition will hold their value the best and holding on to pieces that have complicated mechanical workings will give you the highest resale price.
How do I wear my Longines watch?
The beauty of the Longines collection is that a single watch is enough to lift any outfit. Each of the Longines collections will match the occasion, day and outfit. For formal events, many of the Longines collections provide the simple, minimalistic and elegant watch you need to match your outfit.
For casual wearing, you can wear a watch from any of the collections and match it to your outfit, ensuring your arms have the right amount of luxury with elegant dials, gold or silver accents and a classic strap to elevate your look.
How to clean a Longines watch?
Longines watches have been designed to be durable but once in a while, they can require some cleaning to maintain their sharp and elegant look. It's recommended to use a toothbrush and soapy water to clean the metal bracelets and waterproof casings. Then, rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Your Longines watch should be looking as good as new.
Think a Longines watch could be for you? Take a look at their collection here today.
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STORY
Is it Love at First Sight for Brits?
They say when you find ‘the one’, the spark can be instant and undeniable, but whether you believe in love at first sight or not, every relationship goes at its own pace when it comes to popping the question.
Whether the connection was a slow burner or an instant bond, many already engaged Brits will be gearing up for their perfect summer ceremony as we hit peak wedding season.
With this in mind, we spoke with 1,500 Brits who are married or engaged on how soon into their relationship they knew they had found the one. Alongside this, we also quizzed participants on how quickly they’d decided to pop the question or accept a proposal of marriage, as well as asking them to share the telltale signs that meant they knew they were in love.
Read on to find out more...
Over 10 million Brits knew it was 'marriage at first sight' - when you know, you know!
According to our findings, it takes Brits on average 8.3 months to know they’ve found the one they want to marry.
However, it appears that as a nation we fall pretty fast as the survey revealed that just over 10 million UK residents (15%) admitted they knew from the second they laid eyes on their significant other, or after just a few hours. When you know, you know!.
It was also revealed that its actually men that know quicker than woman, with one in ten (10%) men admitting they knew it was love at first sight, versus just one in twenty (5%) women - is this because we’re waiting for the dreaded ‘ick’ to arrive, ladies?
Despite this, on average it only takes women 7.9 months to know that their relationship is marriage material, whereas men take slightly longer at 8.9 months. That said, 11% – or around 7.5 million4 of us, admit it took as little as just 5.5 months to know for sure.
That said, not everyone falls in love at the same pace, with around four in every 100 (4%) of the nation admitted it took between five to ten years before they were sure if marriage was the next step for their relationship.
And generationally, we learned that those aged 65+ were the age group that knew they wanted to marry their partner the quickest – a swift 5.7 months on average! Whilst for those aged between 44 to 55, it took almost double the amount of time to come to this conclusion (10.8 months on average).
Bristol has been crowned the UK’s ‘whirlwind romance’ capital
When it comes to the whirlwind romance capitals, Bristol is home to the most hopeless romantics!
On average, in this city it takes a mere 2.4 months for couples to know they’re in it for the long haul. And it seems the luck of the Irish has truly been prevalent for Belfast couples, with loved-up residents in the city taking an average of only 4 months to recognise that they have found ‘the one’.
And over in Glasgow, residents are seemingly also itching to pop the question, with our results indicating that couples take just over half a year (6.1 months) to feel ready to commit to marriage.
| The UK's whirlwind romance capitals |
How long on avg. it took residents to know they wanted to marry their partner |
|---|---|
| Bristol | 2.4 months |
| Belfast | 4 months |
| Glasgow | 6.1 months |
| Liverpool | 7 months |
| Manchester & Norwich | Both 7.2 months |
At the other end of the scale, those in Newcastle took the longest to make this decision; on average it takes 15.1 months for Geordies to know that it’s time to tie the knot.
Putting a ring on it: how soon is TOO soon?
According to previous research from the wedding specialists at Bridebook, the average length of time in a relationship before couples decide to walk down the aisle was 4.9 years.
But considering our survey revealed that over 10 million Brits knew instantly that they wanted to marry their significant other, it begs the question; how long did people wait before getting down on one knee or accepting a proposal from their loved one in 2023?
When asked how soon into their relationship they actually proposed to their partner or were proposed to, Brits shared it took on average 15.3 months of being in a relationship to do so.
However, just under a third (30%) of individuals admitted they just couldn’t contain their love and popped the big question between first laying eyes on their other half and only a month into their relationship – easy, tiger!
Comparatively, almost one in ten (9%) waited between five to ten years to pop the question or to say yes to their other half.
Regionally, it appears while Bristolians admitted to knowing their partner was ‘the one’ just 2.4 months into the relationship, it appears they tend to hold off actually popping the question until around the 9.1-month mark.
Elsewhere, those in Belfast (12.1 months) and Birmingham (12.8 months) will wait just over a full calendar year to get hitched, with respondents in Manchester (13.2 months) and London (13.6 months) following closely behind.
| The UK's cities popping the question the quickest |
How long on avg. it takes them to do so |
|---|---|
| Bristol | 9.1 months |
| Belfast | 12.1 months |
| Birmingham | 12.8 months |
| Manchester | 13.2 months |
| London | 13.6 months |
On the flip side, Southampton residents were found to put off truly committing to their other half, taking almost two years (21.1 months) on average before takin their relationship to the next level. This was closely followed by Newcastle (20.4 months on average).
Those in Cardiff (19.9 months), Liverpool (18.5 months), and Liverpool (18.5 months) also chose to take their sweet time – no ultimatums here!
It was also the 25-34 age group that proposed or accepted a proposal of marriage the quickest, averaging 11.2 months. On the other hand, the 45-54 age group not only took the longest to know that their partner was marriage material, but they also wait around 22.3 months to pop the question.
The nation reveals the tell-tale signs you're in love
Next, we asked the nation to reveal how they knew they were head-over-heels in love with their partner - and 13% said it was when they felt at ease with them, or it felt like knowing an old friend.
And according to our findings, the majority of cities across the UK were in total agreement here. Respondents in Southampton (20%), Belfast (19%), Norwich (18%), Bristol (17%), Glasgow (16%), Birmingham (15%), Cardiff (14%), Liverpool (13%) and Nottingham (12%) also chose this as their top sign that they were in love.
The second highest reason was that our loved-up respondents said they simply could not stop thinking about the other person, which just under one in ten of us (9%) could relate to.
And a further nine per cent of individuals could also physically feel their heart racing at the thought of their love interest, with Londoners (11%) and Geordies (15%) voting this as their ultimate sign of falling head over heels.
Those in the 18-24 age group we found to lead with their heart, as almost a fifth (17%) say they knew they were in love when they could feel their chest pounding!
Likewise, over one in ten men (11%) say they knew it was love when their hearts raced whenever they were around their significant other, while this was the case for just six percent of women we spoke to.
When it comes to getting that exciting feeling of ‘butterflies’, eight percent - or just over 5 million - of us believe that this signifies true love, with one in 10 (10%) Manchester residents agreeing with this statement.
Our survey also highlighted that Brits tend to trust their gut, with at least eight percent, equating to around 5.5 million5 of us, noting it as a true indicator.
Those who live in the Northern cities of Edinburgh (17%), Sheffield (14%) and Leeds (13%) admit to trusting their instinct the most, stating they “just knew” that it was love.
The telltale signs for Brits when falling in love
1. I felt very at ease with them / it was like knowing an old friend (13%)
2. I couldn't stop thinking about them (9%)
3. I could feel my heart racing (9%)
4. I got butterflies (8%)
5. I had a gut feeling (7%)
6. They were able to make me laugh (7%)
7. I could not imagine life without them (6%)
8. I knew I wanted to introduce them to my family (5%)
9. I found them physically attractive (4%)
10. They made me feel safe (4%)
The celebrity couples that just couldn't wait to get engaged
Although Brits will pop the question after an average of 15.3 months of being in a relationship, we wanted to take a look at some of the world’s most iconic couples and see how long it took these well-known names to pop the question. And it seems that these celebrities just couldn’t wait that long...
Quick celebrity engagements
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Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra – The Jonas Brothers star married actress Priyanka Chopra after proposing only a few months into dating. They also had a very short engagement and got hitched five months later – no waiting around for this pair!
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Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin – The A-List duo were engaged after only a few months into their relationship and married two months later, despite having known each other since they were teenagers.
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Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries – Kim and Kris’ famous 72-day marriage was a short-lived rollercoaster – it seems the pair got engaged after only three months of dating and were then married three months later.
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Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom – Khloe Kardashian got engaged to former NBA star Lamar Odom after only two short weeks. And two weeks later, the couple tied the knot!
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Katy Perry and Russell Brand – Perry and Brand’s whirlwind marriage saw the pair get engaged after two months of dating and married nine months later.
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Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney – Having starred in a long list of rom-coms over the years, it seems as though George Clooney really is one for a romantic gesture. The couple were engaged after only seven months of dating and married five months later – and they’re still together to this day.
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Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello – The two actors were engaged after six months of dating and married 11 months later – after Joe Manganiello asked one of Sofia Vergara’s co-stars for her number!
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Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise – In just shy of two months (7 weeks) into their relationship, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise became soon-to-be-weds and were married 17 months later.
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Kevin Federline and Britney Spears – Britney Spears tied the knot with her ex-husband Kevin Federline after three months of prior dating. The pair now have two children together but remain separated.
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Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton – Jolie married her Pushing Tin co-star Billy Bob Thornton ‘seemingly out of the blue’ in May 2000 after just two short months of dating.
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Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker – Whirlwind engagements seem to run in the Kardashian family, as loved-up Kourtney and Travis announced their engagement after nine months of dating and were married seven months later.
The celebrity couples that just couldn't wait to get engaged
Well, it’s clear to see from looking back at our findings, that for many love is certainly in the air!
That said, it would seem as though there’s no set or ideal time to either get married or engaged, and as one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, it’s important to take things at your own pace.
Naturally, each relationship is different and we’re all living on our own timelines, so what’s right for one person may be completely wrong for another. As such, try to take things slowly and not to put too much pressure on yourself.
Equally, if your gut is saying yes and you’re noticing some of the signs we mentioned above – racing hearts, butterflies, you’re unable to imagine life without your partner – then it might be time to start looking for potential engagement rings. Wedding bells, anyone?
