Sponsored Post written for aBlogtoWatch by advertiser.

On June 10, 2017, Swiss watchmaker Longines and the brand’s ambassador Kate Winslet joined together at the brand’s Paris boutique to launch an exclusive and very limited timepiece collection: The Flagship Heritage by Kate Winslet. The occasion also marked the start of Longines’ online auction to benefit the Golden Hat Foundation, co-founded by Kate Winslet in 2010. Proceeds of three of these highly limited timepieces will directly benefit the Foundation, whose mission is to change the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived.

The online auction at began on June 10th with an opening bid of $25,000 USD on each timepiece, and the auction will continue until June 30, 2017 at 5:59pm CEST. Three fortunate winning bidders will have the opportunity to receive their new timepiece directly from the British actress at her next public appearance with Longines.

Kate Winslet has been a Longines Ambassador of Elegance since 2010, the same year that the British actress co-founded the Golden Hat Foundation. The Swiss watch brand is proud to join with Kate and The Golden Hat Foundation to support their worthy mission: changing the way people on the autism spectrum are perceived by shining a light on their abilities and emphasizing their great potential. The foundation works to ensure that autistic individuals have access to an appropriate academic education, social support, and job training based on their abilities. To that end, the organization plans to establish innovative post-high school campuses designed to support individuals on the autism spectrum in an environment built around their individual needs and strengths. Proceeds from the three timepieces at auction will directly benefit the charity’s mission.

During a visit to the Longines headquarters in Switzerland in 2016, the actress was drawn to one piece in the Longines Museum – an original Flagship model. Taking this piece as an inspiration, Kate collaborated with Longines to create a limited-edition watch to benefit her Foundation. Like the new Flagship Heritage 60th Anniversary 1957-2017 timepiece, the Flagship Heritage by Kate Winslet limited edition is a contemporary homage to this original museum piece, this time presented in a distinct golden tone that also pays tribute to the Golden Hat Foundation.

Longines sold its first Flagship in 1957, and ever since, the collection has been met with lasting success. This timeless watch, with its white dial, thin profile and fine fasteners, quickly won over Longines collectors. A perfect blend of technical mastery and subdued elegance, the Flagship owes its name to the ship upon which the flag of the fleet’s commander in chief snaps in the wind. A symbol of Longines’ wishes for this new collection, this caravel is stamped on the back of Flagship watches.

The Flagship Heritage by Kate Winslet is a 35mm ladies’ watch that features a brushed dial, 18 karat gold case, and camel calf leather strap. Each of the timepieces is inscribed on the case back with an edition number alongside the distinctive engraving of the Flagship Collection. The Flagship Heritage by Kate Winslet is equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber L609, along with a 42-hour power reserve. The sophisticated timepieces are also finished with a sapphire crystal and dauphine hands coated with Super-LumiNova®.

The award-winning actress, who joined Longines in the French capital to unveil the new watch model, shared her enthusiasm about their common initiative for the Golden Hat Foundation: “I was given the permission to choose a watch, which was designed specifically for the Golden Hat Foundation. The style of the model really appealed to me and I instantly fell in love with it. All the profits of the selling of the model are going directly to the foundation. This project with Longines is helping raise awareness about a particular cause dear to my heart. Thanks to Longines’ involvement and the generosity of the donators, the foundation will keep on working towards achieving its goals.” longines.com