Modern Tradition: Longines joined forces with Swiss fashion label
Longines DolceVita X YVY makes a debut in collaboration with Swiss fashion designer Yvonne Reichmuth’s YVY label.
Longines travels down the collaboration route with the introduction of Longines DolceVita X YVY, which was unveiled recently in the heart of Paris on the eve of the Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping event. The buzzy celebration held in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower was graced by the star presence of actress and Longines Ambassador of Elegance, Kate Winslet.
Right off the bat, the Longines DolceVita’s new double leather straps, evocative of bridles and harnesses, resonate strongly with the equestrian world, one of the key pillars of the watchmaking brand. For the reinvention, Longines tapped on the creative expertise of Yvonne Reichmuth of Zurich-based design company YVY. She went straight to work, etching out a subversive new identity for the elegantly feminine collection, originally inspired by a 1920s historical piece and personified by a rectangular-shaped case.
The Longines DolceVita X YVY features sophisticated yet discreet double straps in leather, rendered in three shades: beige, brown, and black with rivets, while boasting an impeccable finish. “We wanted to develop a new approach together to the world of horses and their bridles,” Reichmuth explains. The Swiss designer is famed for her leather designs and glam-rock accessories with a timeless aesthetic that are sought after by an international coterie of public figures and private clients. Hence, the partnership between Longines and YVY is, without a doubt, an instinctive one, underscored by complementary values.
Noteworthy is how the Longines DolceVita X YVY’s strap design wraps the watch around the wrist, a good parallel to how the harness and bridle accessories draw the rider and the mount together in unison. “The idea of a modular strap came about with the aim of creating a watch that could be worn with class in different styles,” adds Reichmuth. With this nifty interchangeability of the strap system—comprising the watch and appendage straps, partnered by a set of leather loops—the additional band can be worn alone or in conjunction with the timepiece.
Versatility positively transforms the Longines DolceVita X YVY into a youthful and contemporary accessory, making it a stylish asset in any wardrobe. Above that, its availability in two case sizes—23.30 mm x 37 mm in stainless steel case, and 20.80 mm x 32 mm in stainless steel with diamond-set case— anoints it with a genderless sensibility and widespread appeal.
“This is one of the reasons I appreciate Longines so much. They are never afraid to evolve, to take risks, to cater to the younger generations. Women all over the world want to hear the stories that other women have to tell, and you want to see the work that they’re doing. Here, they asked a woman to develop a beautiful collection with them and the result is absolutely stunning,” Winslet perfectly articulates.
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