Louisville, KY, May 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Longines, the internationally renowned Swiss watch brand and Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Triple Crown, celebrated the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday by awarding California Chrome's owner, trainer and jockey with elegant timepieces at the exclusive Winners' Circle Party. On this day of thrilling racing action, the brand also awarded watches to the winner of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines.

See video from Longines here: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/swatch_group/kentucky_derby_2014

As the Official Watch and Timekeeper of the Triple Crown, Longines was proud to be present in Churchill Downs for the first leg of this amazing competition. The 140th running of the Kentucky Derby was as traditionally an intense moment of sport. California Chrome ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza clocked in at 2:03:66, racing past Commanding Curve and Danza to win the Kentucky Derby - the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing for Longines and Jennifer Judkins, U.S. Brand President for Longines presented owner, trainer and jockey of California Chrome with watches from the brand's Conquest Classic collection after an impressive victory.

The brand also presented the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines on Kentucky Derby afternoon and awarded Conquest Classic watches to owner, trainer and jockey of California Chrome. In addition, Longines timepieces and branded-clocks were on display throughout the Churchill Downs facilities, a digital Longines Kentucky Derby Countdown Clock was displayed on Churchill Downs' official event website (www.KentuckyDerby.com) and the brand's logo was prominently featured on the official Kentucky Derby red carpet, racetrack and in other surrounding areas.

The Conquest Classic line is a tribute to the chronographs produced by Longines as early as 1878 and seen on the racetracks in New York as early as 1881. This collection of models, all fitted with self-winding calibers, is both contemporary and perfectly timeless, representing the brands' rich tradition and watch-making expertise. Conquest Classic is available in three sizes. The ladies' models have a diameter of 29.50 mm with a black, mother-of-pearl or silvered dial and are available in steel, rose gold or a combination of steel and rose gold cap. A second model with hours, minutes and date is available with a diameter of 40.00 mm, fitted on black alligator straps or steel or steel and rose gold bracelets, each to match the dial. At 41 mm, the chronographs are fitted with a column-wheel movement exclusively developed for Longines. The case is either in steel, steel and rose gold cap or rose gold alone with a silvered or black dial.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

For further information please contact:

Longines International Public Relations

2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland

publicrelations@longines.com

www.longines.com

About the Watches

Based in Saint-Imier since 1832, the Longines Saint-Imier collection is inspired by the watchmaking heritage of the brand's home territory. To celebrate its rich history and roots within the village of Saint-Imier, the collection includes a series of luxurious timepieces in stainless steel and rose gold bracelet combinations, as well as rose gold and stainless steel leather band combinations. The chronograph watches within the collection are fitted with the column-wheel movement specially developed and produced by ETA exclusively for Longines.

Emanating the core values and aesthetic of the brand - tradition, elegance and performance - the Longines Saint-Imier Collection is rooted in the unique shape of the case inspired by a 1945 Longines watch model. The watches in the collection display sleek lines and distinctive lugs, giving them a classic yet contemporary appeal. All models are fitted with mechanical movements whose intricate workings can be admired through the transparent sapphire back cover.

LONGINES

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world's leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.