Longines Ambassador Aishwarya Rai lights up Royal Ascot

Written by James Matthews

Bollywood star and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Aishwarya Rai lights up Royal Ascot with her radiant presence (Ascot, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

For the third consecutive year, Longines is the official timekeeper for the racing at Royal Ascot. The Swiss watchmaker, with its well known slogan “Elegance is an attitude”, was also a partner in the fashion show that was held during Royal Ascot week this year. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the uncontested Bollywood star and the brand’s Ambassador of Elegance for the past 10 years, lit up the racecourse with her radiant presence. In between interviews and photo sessions, the film star managed to find time to admire the creations modeled in the Royal Ascot Fashion Show and to watch some racing in the afternoon. During the gala dinner in the evening Aishwarya Rai Bachchan revealed to Longines’ guests and the press three new ladies’ models from the Longines Master Collection.

In 2009 Royal Ascot has been more than ever a week of elegance with the presence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of the Swiss watchmaker Longines’ ambassadors of charm and the uncontested star of the Bollywood movie scene. After making an entrance that did not go unnoticed, the actress went to the Longines box where she gave interviews and posed for photos with endless grace and patience. Journalists from all around the world quickly succumbed to Aishwarya’s irresistible charm. Despite a full program of interviews, the dazzling Indian star still managed to find time to attend the Royal Ascot Fashion Show where, as always, Britain’s most talented fashion designers could be found: Amanda Wakeley, Mathew Williamson and Stephen Jones. The film star was able to admire examples of British creativity and was indeed very enthusiastic about what she saw; “Royal Ascot is absolutely unique, an elegant, quintessentially British occasion. I am very happy to have been invited here by Longines”.

In the evening, guests converged on the magnificent Farnham Castle for a gala dinner that was as elegant as it was typically English and during which Aishwarya Rai Bachchan revealed to the guests and the press three new ladies’ models from The Longines Master Collection. The three steel timepieces are fitted with self-winding, mechanical movements. One has a jet black dial and shows the phases of the Moon, while the two others have elegantly sleek white mother-of-pearl dials. A galaxy of diamonds decorates the bases of two of the three models. The watches are mounted on leather straps to match the dials. Even Aishwarya herself had some trouble choosing her favorite!

Throughout the world, Royal Ascot is held to be one of the most prestigious sporting events, combining tradition and performance for the last 300 years. Today, Royal Ascot draws over 300,000 visitors during the week.

For its part, Longines has almost a century of experience in equestrian sport, gained in every corner of the world. The famous Swiss watchmaker is at present Official Timekeeper for seven Nations Cup show jumping competitions in Europe as well as being the Official Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in Australia. Not to mention Longines sponsorship of three Arab Equestrian League competitions (Dubai, Alexandria and Sharjah) in the Middle East.

This post was written by James Matthews. If you have any questions or comments you may contact him at james@jewelerslounge.com