“Einstein’s mistress who he gave his Longines to was actually a Russian spy” – A video interview with Longines CEO Matthias Breschan

Fergus Nash

When Matthias Breschan speaks you could swear that he’d founded Longines 189 years ago, such is the passion that the Austrian CEO has for the brand. Having taken the reins of the Swiss powerhouse in July 2020, Matthias is no stranger to both heritage and modern watchmaking. He joined the Swatch Group in 1996, working with Hamilton and Rado, but we get the distinct impression that Longines has been deep in his heart for a long time. While visiting Switzerland, our own boss Andrew had the pleasure of meeting with Matthias and picking his brain about the brand, and more importantly, its stories.

Longines is quite unique among Swatch Group companies as it has held such a strong brand identity for so long, and is totally in touch with its own history. Matthias touches on how the brand has a very evenly spread demographic, not just in the gender of customers but also in the style of watches they buy, proving that the Longines style is equally attractive in both the sports and dress senses. Whether you’re a Longines fan or not, this interview is definitely worth your time, covering topics such as how an early Evidenza was tangled up in an espionage-laden love affair, and a bombshell announcement for the future of the company.