The Oscar-winning actress (and Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) has been a Longines Ambassador of Elegance since 2010. She recently visited the head office in Saint-Imier, Switzerland and was able to view the worktables where Longines watches have been crafted with care and legendary precision since 1832.
As part of the trip, Kate Winslet visited the Longines Museum, a haven of sophistication that bears witness to the glory days of Swiss watchmaking. During this journey through time, she found a particular watch that pulled at her heartstrings. This piece belongs to the Flagship collection, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2017. The watch will be re-issued during the course of the year, with the proceeds of sales to go to the charitable organisation that Kate Winslet co-founded in 2010. Herself a mother of two, she was moved by the story of A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism and is deeply passionate about lending her voice to raise awareness of the rapidly increasing disorder.
Boasting a long tradition of supporting worthy causes, and with deeply held values aligned with those demonstrated by the award-winning actress through the Golden Hat Foundation, it seemed a perfect fit for Swiss watchmaker Longines to support this non-profit organisation, which strives to highlight the capabilities and the immense potential of individuals with autism.
When meeting with Longines employees at the end of the visit, Winslet said, ‘I was delighted to learn that Longines is so in touch with its rich history, from which it draws inspiration for creating new works of art that adhere to its values. I am deeply grateful to Longines for the support they have shown for the Golden Hat Foundation, an organisation that is dear to my heart, by re-issuing the watch that I have chosen today. It makes me incredibly proud to be able to contribute to raising public awareness of the situation that face individual with autism. I believe that these individuals will greatly benefit from the possibility of learning to communicate, of receiving academic training and of developing real social relationships.’
