-thehindu

The Swiss watchmaking company put its new Longines DolceVita collection in the spotlight during a garden party at the Chantilly Castle on the eve of the Prix de Diane. Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, ambassador for the brand and face of the new collection, presented it along with Walter von Känel, president of Longines.

The brand is the title partner and official timekeeper of the well-known Prix de Diane, the world’s top race for fillies. Despite the ups and downs in her career, Aishwarya’s association with the international watch company has, put simply, stood the test of time. In her own words, “It has been 15-and-a-half years. I am so happy to be part of the Longines family.”

She has been one of their most sought-after brand ambassadors, which is why the brand chose her as the face of the new advertising campaign.

Among 45,000 spectators at Prix de Diane Longines, she turned heads in her black Armani ensemble teamed perfectly with a chic hat and sporting the newest timepiece from the DolceVita collection.

Talking to The Hindu about her association with the brand, Aishwarya said, “When we say elegance is an attitude, it is a belief that has got affirmed with time. It has had its interpretations. But most importantly, it is about respecting individuals for what they are. That’s what elegance always meant to me…to be respectful for all that’s innate, and recognising each one’s potential.”

The stylish timepieces from Longines are encased in steel, sometimes decorated with diamonds, feature a silver-coloured ‘flinque’ dial, adorned with painted Roman numerals and finished by a choice of black, white, grey or red leather strap or by a stainless steel bracelet.

Apart from launching the new DolceVita line, Aishwarya also gave away the ‘Mademoiselle Diane par Longines’ Award for Elegance to the most stylish woman at the race.