Category Archives: Longines

longines heritage military 1938 closeup

HERITAGE MILITARY 1938

INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST

The watchmaker from Saint-Imier has expanded its collection of reissued timepieces with a new limited edition inspired by a military watch produced before World War II.

Founded in 1832, Longines has a long watchmaking tradition and notably a rich heritage enabling it to draw on the treasures of the past to design new watches grouped together in the Heritage collection, like the Heritage Military 1938 which, as its name suggests, is inspired by a military watch produced toward the end of the 1930s, before the start of World War II. For this kind of timepiece, certain conditions are required: it must be easy to handle, time information must be practically instantaneous and its robustness must hold up under all conditions. The latest model from the Saint-Imier watchmaker meets all three of these conditions.

longines heritage military 1938 closeupProtected by a sapphire crystal dome, the dial is coated in matte black on which the Arabic numerals of the hours and the minute track stand out, both decorated with vanilla beige Super-LumiNova®. This same hue, which stands out perfectly from the dark dial, also colors the scale and the numbers on the small second counter at 6 o’clock. The rhodium-plated baton-type hour and minute hands in the middle are also coated with a luminescent material.

The Longines Heritage Military 1938 comes with two watchbands, one in aged anthracite leather and the other in reddish-brown fabric, easily interchangeable with the tools supplied.

Price: 2’300 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

longines dolce vita collection

DOLCEVITA

THE SWEET LIFE

A rectangle with softened angles and a rounded case, this watch inspired by an old 1920s timepiece is now available in several models of different sizes on which interchangeable bracelets can be added according to your mood.

Longines is undoubtedly one of the brands with the richest heritage and archives in the watchmaking industry, allowing it to immerse itself in its history, drawing inspiration from it and bringing models from the past back to life. In 1997, a piece from the 1920s gave birth to a watch collection with a distinctive shape, known as DolceVita. Today, this product line includes three new ones and offers three case sizes, four dial types and a wide range of interchangeable bracelets.

Easily identifiable, the rectangular steel case has softened corners and a rounded frame and is available in 20.80×32, 23.30×37 and 28.20x47mm, a choice that allows everyone to find the watch best suited to them in this collection. The first two references feature a quartz movement, while the last one is punctuated by the L592 caliber, a mechanical self-winding movement that beats at a frequency of 4hz and delivers 40 hours of power reserve.

longines dolce vita collectionThe dials are matte white with applied indexes or a mixture of indexes and Arabic numerals, silvered with a flinty pattern curved by a railway timer and black Roman numerals, or navy blue with silver sequins that lend an effect similar to goldstone glass. The hours and minutes are displayed in the center by sword- style hands in polished or blued steel. As for the seconds, they appear in a counter at 6 o’clock, except for the automatic version, where they are central and therefore replaced at the bottom of the dial by a date window.

For maximum comfort on the wrist, DolceVita is equipped with a bracelet with either steel links or with leather in black, blue, brown, sand beige, coral red, lime, turquoise, orange-red, sun yellow, light orange and mint green.

Priced from 1,200 to 1,500 CHF – 80 CHF (bracelet additional)

By Sharmila Bertin

longines master collection White dial closeup

MASTER COLLECTION

THE WINGED HOURGLASS AND THE MOON

Renowned for its timeless nature, the classic collection exclusively driven by the mechanical movements of the Saint-Imier brand offers a series of watches displaying a moon phase at the bottom of their dial.

It was in 2005, almost 15 years ago, that the LonginesMaster Collection was born, a range of watches with timeless style and exclusively driven by mechanical movements. This year, the Saint-Imier brand wanted to complete this already well-developed family with 6 new models, all displaying a moon phase at the bottom of their dial. 6 models because one of the strengths of the company is that they always offer a broad range of products – the other being the realistic price – which allows something for everyone.

longines master collection White dial closeupIn terms of the dial, the choice is interesting because the Master Collection offers a black or white “barleycorn” pattern and a chapter ring composed of painted Roman numerals or sunray blue with silvered polished hands for both 40 and 42mm diameter versions. Two more ‘dressy’ models presented in 40mm complete this set: black lacquered, white barleycorn or sunray blue dials, all set with thirteen brilliant-cut diamonds.

Last but not least the watches are attached to either stainless steel or black, brown or blue leather bracelets.

Price: CHF 2,210 (40mm) – CHF 2,280 (42mm) – CHF 2,560 (40mm with diamonds)

By Sharmila Bertin

longines legend diver watch nacre both straps

THE LONGINES LEGEND DIVER WATCH

AN OCEAN OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL

The Saint-Imier brand’s famous divers’ watch now comes in a new diameter and sports a dial with a white mother-of-pearl disk for a very summery look with a touch of retro

Inspired by the timepieces produced by Longines in the 1960s and part of the Heritage collection which brings together re-releases of the finest models designed by the brand in Saint-Imier, The Longines Legend Diver Watch lives on again. The famous divers’ watch with a truly vintage look has not only abandoned its traditional black dial highlighted in vanilla yellow but has also swapped its imposing 42 mm diameter for a more subtle and summery version.

longines legend diver watch nacre both strapsScaled down and water resistant up to 30 m, the polished steel case topped with a slim bezel now measures 36 mm. It still has two crowns. The crown at 2 o’clock rotates the inner bezel, a wide bowl-shaped flange ring displaying the minute counter and the famous luminescent marker, an essential diving feature. The other crown at 4 o’clock has a more conventional function: winding, setting the time and adjusting the date.

The dial is decorated with a white mother-of-pearl disk and its shimmering iridescent colors complete the charm of The Longines Legend Diver Watch. The index markers punctuated with Super-LumiNova® squares and the Arabic numerals 6, 9, and 12 are painted black. At 3 o’clock, a framed window indicates the date in black on a white background.

These functions are powered by the L592 caliber, an automatic movement which provides a power reserve of 40 hours once wound completely.

This model by Longines comes with a choice of white leather strap for a summery look or a steel mesh bracelet for a more vintage profile.

Price: 2,010 CHF (white leather strap) – 2,260 CHF (steel mesh bracelet)

By Sharmila Bertin

longines the longines 1832 closeup

THE LONGINES 1832

THE MOON IN ALL ITS SIMPLICITY

The night sky is elegantly brought to life on the dial of the latest addition to the The Longines 1832 collection which pays homage to the year the eponymous brand was founded.

1832 marks the year of creation of a watchmaking establishment in Saint-Imier by Auguste Agassiz (1809-1877), accompanied by his two partners Henri Raiguel and Florian Morel, which, from 1867 onwards, adopted the name Longines – the name of the locality in which the factory is built – on the dials of its watches as well as the famous winged hourglass. An unforgettable date in the history of the Swiss brand, it is honored with a classic and elegant collection named The Longines 1832.

longines the longines 1832 closeupThe latest addition to this product range, the L4.826.4.92.2 series gives pride of place to the night sky on its lightly opalescent beige sandblasted dial. The shape of the moon and its bed of stars are displayed in a fan-shaped open window at 6 o’clock circled by a calendar. The date is indicated with a small silver hand. At the center of the ivory face of this new The Longines 1832, two dauphine hands highlighted with a Super-LumiNova® strip and a second hand display the hours, minutes and seconds following a series of faceted index markers decorated with luminescent cabochons and beaded minute markers.

These functions are regulated by the L.899 (ETA A31.L91) caliber, a self-winding mechanical movement which vibrates at a gentle frequency of 25,200 oscillations per hour and provides a power reserve of 64 hours. This movement is visible thanks to the sapphire crystal case back. The 40 mm polished steel case comes with a brown alligator strap and a pin buckle.

Price: 2,030 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

logines master collection calandrier annuel collection

MASTER COLLECTION ANNUAL CALENDAR

ELEGANT AND PRACTICAL

The Master Collection Annual Calendar was presented at the last Baselworld event, and is on sale at last. The model remains true to the elegant and practical spirit of the collection.

Since 2005, the Master Collection by Longines has been expanded to include watches that all combine simple, classic and modern designs with sophisticated mechanisms. The result? The models in this range can be worn on all occasions and feature very useful functions on a daily basis, like this new watch with an annual calendar. So the crystal-clear time information has been changed to provide an uncluttered and refined visual display. The rhodium-plated or blued steel hour and minute hands move above a silver surface with a barleycorn pattern or a totally black design. Depending on the version, the watches feature Arabic or Roman numerals. At 3 o’clock, two counters display the date and the month. The watch handles months with 30 or 31 days, and needs to be corrected only in February.

logines master collection calandrier annuel collectionThe 40cm-wide steel case houses an automatic calibre, the L897, including a rotor that can be seen through the sapphire caseback. The contemporary mechanism provides the watch with 64 hours of power reserve.

The Master Collection Annual Calendar can be worn with different types of straps. The steel version is ideal for a dynamic look. If you are in search of elegance, you can opt for the black, brown or blue alligator leather versions. Whatever your choice, all the watches come with a comfortable and secure folding clasp.

Price: 1,940 EUR

By Dan Diaconu

longines heritage skin diver caseback

HERITAGE SKIN DIVER WATCH

A DIVE INTO THE PAST

Almost 60 years after the release of its first diving watch, the watchmakers from Saint-Imier have reissued a model that was a big success at the time. The new version has the same design as its predecessor, but with contemporary technology in line with the times.

As well as creating beautiful timepieces at very affordable prices and almost endless creativity, one of the great specialities of Longines is reissuing watches that have marked its 185-year history. These souvenirs of the past, with designs found in the archives of the Saint-Imier-based brand, have been redesigned with a new but respectful look and included in the Heritage collection. An example is the new Skin Diver Watch. The model has all the main design features of the brand’s first diving watch, released in 1959, while incorporating contemporary techniques. And almost 60 years later, if you place the original version side by side with the new, the similarity is striking!

longines heritage skin diver casebackThis new Longines watch can be worn with a steel Milanese mesh strap, a natural brown leather strap or a rubber strap with a checked texture, evoking a woven pattern.

Price: 2,460 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

longines heritage military closeup

HERITAGE MILITARY

FAITHFUL REISSUE

The Heritage Military is a new addition to the collection featuring watches inspired by the history of Longines. A faithful reproduction of the design of a watch worn by members of the Royal Air Force.

Although the Heritage Military watch was shown confidentially to a few retailers and journalists last spring in the cosy atmosphere of the Longines stand at Baselworld, it was only this autumn that we got to see the timepiece “for real”. It joins the Saint-Imier watchmakers’ Heritage collection, including reissues and items inspired by the company’s archives. The new watch has an original history. It all began with an English collector. He was the owner of a 1940s-era watch that had belonged to Stanley Turner (1913-1985), an RAF pilot who was decorated for services during the Second World War. The collector showed the watch to Longines, and the company used it as the inspiration for the reissued Heritage Military.

longines heritage military closeupThe Heritage Military’s steel case, with a diameter slightly increased from 32.5 to 38.5mm, features a fluted crown and a curved bezel. It is worn with one of two green straps made either of vintage leather or NATO textile.

Price: 2,000 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

longines grande classique 2018 closeup diamants

LA GRANDE CLASSIQUE

SHINING BLUE

The colour of the ocean takes pride of place in the extremely classic collection made by the brand from Saint-Imier. With a range of sizes, two types of straps and three sorts of hour markers… The choice could be tricky!

In 1982, Longines unveiled the Agassiz, a watch named after its founder, Auguste Agassiz (1810-1877), who had opened a clock workshop in the Jura Bernois district 150 years before. For the brand’s 160th anniversary, ten years later, the Agassiz’s svelte body, straight, slender lugs and timeless style inspired a new model with a simple name: La Grande Classique. Its elegant silhouette free of all decorative elements meant it could transcend time without ageing and become a constant feature in the Longines catalogue. After mainly light-coloured dials (white, silver, champagne) and traditional finishes (guilloché, matt, mother-of-pearl), La Grande Classique has now gently changed direction to adopt a darker, contemporary colour: blue.

longines grande classique 2018 closeup diamantsMajestically highlighted by a bright sunburst effect, the dial’s blue tone becomes even more intense when the 12 diamonds used as hour markers open up their fires. You can opt for a classic feel on the dial with long, white Roman numerals or for a more discreet style with silver hour markers. Because Longines’ strength is to offer a wide range rather than a restrictive choice. So La Grande Classique, in its blue version, comes in several different variations. The steel case exists in four different diameters, two for the most slender wrists (24 or 29 mm) and two unisex sizes (36 or 37 mm), while the bezel can be set with 36 or 44 brilliant-cut diamonds. And the two stick-shaped hands placed at the centre to show the hours and minutes are driven by a choice of a quartz or an automatic movement (the calibre L591.2, based on an ETA model and providing 40 hours of power reserve).

The cherry on the cake? La Grande Classique is worn on the wrist with an alligator leather strap matching the colour of the dial or with steel links for an even more traditional look!

Prices: From 950 CHF to 3,210 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

longines hydroconquest 2018 closeup

HYDROCONQUEST

DIVE EXQUISITELY

The watchmaker from Saint-Imier proposes new variations of its timepiece crafted for watersports and available in two diameters. Perfect on land, perfect at sea.

As summer slowly raises its head, there’s a burning desire to take to watersports, to dive into the deep blue or to simply lie back and relax on a yacht. To satisfy waterworld enthusiasts and in particular sportspeople, Longines has designed new variations of its HydroConquest model which embrace the technical and style codes of dive watches.

The sturdy steel case is proposed in two sizes: 41 and 43 cm diameters, and is topped with a unidirectional revolving bezel. This bezel hosts a coloured ceramic band which comes in grey, blue or black based on the version selected and which features the diving scale with its traditional triangular luminescent marker at 12 o’clock. Like the caseback, the crown is screwed and framed by two fail-safe elements to prevent incorrect action under water which could, for example, jeopardize watch waterproofness. The watch can be submersed to a depth of 300 m.

longines hydroconquest 2018 closeupThe sunrayed dial is available in the three colours mentioned above. It features a rhodium-plated hour chapter comprising three large Arabic numerals (6, 9 and 12) and dots, all covered with white Super-LumiNova®. The hours, minutes and seconds are displayed in the centre by a trio of silvered, luminescent baton-style hands, whilst the white-backdrop date is set in an aperture at 3 o’clock.

The HydroConquest watch is driven by an automatic L888.2 calibre, fashioned on an ETA base, set at 25,200 vibrations per hour and offering a power reserve of 64 hours.

To ensure the watch can be worn anytime, anywhere, Longines proposes two types of strap: a steel bracelet with double-security folding clasp and the possibility to integrate a diving extension or a weaving-effect, textured-colour rubber strap.

Price: CHF1,500 (41 or 43 mm)

By Sharmila Bertin