Been on here a little while, always dipping in and out day to day. One thing I have noticed is Longines doesn't get too much talk on here? Just curious as to why and what people thoughts were?
My Longines was my first "proper" watch, which was a 21st birthday present. Went to Hatton Garden with my old man and picked up an automatic Flagship Chronograph, which to be fair I do (still) really like. My old man suggested Longines on the back of their heritage, had a look, little bit of chat with the nice man in the shop and managed to pick it up pretty cheap. 13 years on still going strong and keeping time very well (still not had a service).
Although I don't own one, I've got a lot of time for Longines. I nearly bought a Conquest Heritage last year but got sidetracked.
It's a brand with a good history and some current brand ambassadors who are a little bit different in a way that I like.
Longines is a quality name that historically was right up there with Rolex/Omega etc.
It suffers from owners Swatch group positioning it as a 2nd tier brand but produces a few nice pieces now and then imo
Longines produced some super watches during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Technically they're impressive but sadly parts availability can be a problem.
The brand has lost it's way somewhat during the Swatch era, p,aying second fiddle to Omega. The same comment applies equally to Tissot. In this age of marketing and brand image these names are no longer held in high regard, which is a shame considering their heritage.
Paul
I quite agree with Paul, I am a big fan of Longines dress watches of the 1960s and 1970s in particular. Very elegant, understated design, and the movements were really well made.
Check this post on my blog to see what I mean about the quality.
They have good looking watches in their current range, but none of them feel that special to me. I guess I could say the same about a lot of brands...
Last edited by .olli.; 5th July 2017 at 22:51. Reason: Spellllling!
There was a time - albeit a while ago - where, faced with the choice of a rolex, Omega or Longines, the Longines would have, to the majority, been the more desirable watch.Originally Posted by Scepticalist
The brand has not fared so well in the hands of its current owners and this saddens me.
Edit - That said, I think some of their heritage line are very good-looking watches - and at a good price as a result of the very thing I've just bemoaned...
Last edited by Umbongo; 5th July 2017 at 23:08.
Love my Legend!
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Yes. That's a good un.
I'm waiting to see what there new VHP models are like in the flesh when they arrive later this year. On paper there's a lot going for them HEQ movement and perpetual calendar, looks interesting for about £700.
I owned a hydroconquest but flipped it shortly after. Wasnice but not nice enough. Where Longines shine is their heritage line and also their vintages offer great value . Currently own only one for now tho
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It is you.
I've got my Dad's super Longines ultronic (Accutron) with me, has a lovely case shape and the dial markers are like an r shape and the second hand actually glides under them.
Sadly I've been looking for a new dial for it for months now due to him damaging the original. I keep checking the movement sealed in its pot and the second hand is sweeping round still.
I think Longines gets a back seat on all of the watch forums. They were at the top of the pack in the late 1920's and 30's with the Lindbergh watches.
I sold mine back in 2005 and have regretted it ever since.
It was a lovely watch. The one that got away...... (sighs)
There's very little love on here these days for anything other than safe bet fast appreciating watches, so if it's not a sports Rolex or Ltd Edition Speedy you can forget it.
........which is kinda sad. Nothing wrong with either Rolex or Speedy of course but loads of members are passionate about other brands here. Shame 50% + on here haven't the imagination to see beyond those. I guess the marketing department of both companies have done a fab job.
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I think it's a little unfair to say members don't have the imagination to see beyond certain brands on here. It's just a change in membership and taste for the most part I feel as it wasn't like this when I joined. I remember when Sinn used to get a lot of coverage but doesn't get a lot these days.
I think Longines is a lovely brand with great heritage and still makes some great designs, the Evidenza being one for me along with a few new notables that were released this year.
I quite like the look of the new Record Collection with COSC rating:
• http://www.watchtime.com/advertiseme...the-cosc-seal/
I'm very tempted by this
Their heritage line is definitely something I rarely see these days - tasteful, faithful to the originals in spirit, and diverse without half the models falling into the "what were they thinking" category. Most of their contemporary sports offerings (I can't speak for other lines), however, feel very stiff to me, as if they didn't really want to produce them but had to roll out something. It's not even that long ago when they were producing watches like the L3.670.4.79.6 Admiral GMT chronograph, which felt really inspired (a guy at work has one), but most (Hydro)conquest models are now overly-evolved, laboured variations of that design. I do like how they stand by their quartz chronographs, though - I hate it when some brands think they're somehow above quartz.
That's one lovely looking watch, do you have the model number? Seen this before would fancy picking one up at some point,I owned a hydroconquest but flipped it shortly after. Wasnice but not nice enough. Where Longines shine is their heritage line and also their vintages offer great value . Currently own only one for now tho
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Olli, nice read, and a great job too!
Thanks for everyone s responses too. Was just a little curious as I rarely see much chatter on them here. As others have said it is a shame Swatch place them as a second tier watch considering their history.
Even put mine today after posting this. Would put up a photo but have not done it before and heard it can be effort!
Last edited by jamestmusic; 6th July 2017 at 08:57.
I really like the conquest and the hydro conquest - saw one at goldsmith in the bull ring and was quite attracted to it. Need to pop to local specialist and take a closer look...
I'm not sure I could express myself any better, I agree with this to a certain extent, Longines do have some exclusive movements and the master collection is good effort at building classic style watches as well as those with complications / retrograde dials. Recently Longines have introduce a chronometer collection which I think looks stunning, the price is reasonable given the build quality.
As an aside Tissot do seem to be in a market that has been vacated by many, again the Le Locle chronometer is a very good looking and great value for money watch.
Very easy to upload with the tapatalk app! Anyway, this is the watch I mentioned.
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Last edited by jamestmusic; 6th July 2017 at 09:19.
I really miss my Legend. Was a great watch...
It's true that Swatch position Longines below Omega in the hierarchy, but at the same time they seem to be carving a unique position for the brand.
Their marketing and their sporting associations are far classier , imo, than any other major watch brand and I think they make some great watches for the money these days as well as having a great back-catalogue.
I've got a blue Hydroconquest and it's a big favourite (I think part of that is its relative affordability, it's a 'nice' watch I'm happy to wear anywhere including diving).
A Longines is also the only watch I've ever regretted selling (It was an Ultronic).
M.
Last edited by snowman; 6th July 2017 at 09:49.
Longines def don't get much attention here but, as a previous post stated, once the Rolex and Omega discussions are removed, you're down to less than half of the content!
I had a hydro conquest for a short while. Liked it, loved the build quality but never loved the watch itself. Saw the same model in the smaller size with a blue/grey bezel and loved it. I've not been able to find it at a decent price.
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One of the friendliest factories I have ever visited. In St. Imier CH.
Counter staff were English and on the way back I stopped at the very 'camp' Minerva factory then just past that the old Cortebert factory which is now a chocolate maker and very nice choccies too.
Brendan@webwatchmaker.com
It's the calibre 302 in the 8888 case shape. Dates from 1968 but only one from that era I have seen with Roman numerals. Somehow it makes it feel more timeless and less vintage. I have a datejust but tbh I rarely look past this one for dress attire (on black lizard though not it's dressed down clothes it has on in that pic)
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Seriously considered buying one but the length of the lugs killed it for me. I just don't have the wrists for it. Shame. But those lugs are loooooongI really miss my Legend. Was a great watch...
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I think the 1967 Heritage Chrono reissue https://www.longines.com/watches/her.../l2-808-4-52-6 is one of the best looking watches - ever!! Can't afford one though...
Indeed - I'm very surprised it's not talked about more on here, it's amazing. I'm particularly happy that Longines decided to upgrade the original with a 12-hour chronograph - so often, the way such reissues are done is the reverse, they retain the looks but lose some of the functionality.
Cheers! Gonna have a google see if many are around and pricesIt's the calibre 302 in the 8888 case shape. Dates from 1968 but only one from that era I have seen with Roman numerals. Somehow it makes it feel more timeless and less vintage. I have a datejust but tbh I rarely look past this one for dress attire (on black lizard though not it's dressed down clothes it has on in that pic
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I have a few, and even bought a gold and diamond one when my daughter was born to give to her on her 18th.
I'm a huge fan of my blue Hydroconquest. Have recently bought a blue SMP, so will be able to directly compare the two, with a view to selling which one I prefer.
Agree about the Swatch-era brand positioning, but one of the things I quite like about Longines is that they're not particularly well known. Recognisable, I guess, but certainly not like Rolex or Omega to your average Joe. Would love if they could get the co-ax movement in a Hydroconquest though.
I'm pretty keen on this:
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collec...-l2-813-4-66-0
Solid but a bit boring imo
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I would have to agree. An extremely good looking watch.
I owned one but didn't like that the two sub dials are of different sizes. Other than that lovely watch!
Yes, that is a winner:
£300 to £350 or thereabouts if you're lucky
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Ooof. That is lovely. Any ideas on size?Yes, that is a winner:
Longines definitely does not get enough attention and love it deserves. It's a brand with heritage and some really great watches even to this day. It's just a shame swatch group has positioned it where it has (same goes for tissot). At least there are those of us though that appreciate them!
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41mm off the top of my head...
My wife's got a couple of Longines, both really nice watches
I do like some of their heritage line, I did pick up the 1967 chrono recently in the sales at quite a discount but just didn't really get on with it so it went back
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Thats a very nice watch you restored. Great to see the insides taken down and cleaned up, as well as the work on the outside.
Last edited by Tiny; 6th July 2017 at 21:03.
40mm, due in September
It's not possible to not love this watch.I owned a hydroconquest but flipped it shortly after. Wasnice but not nice enough. Where Longines shine is their heritage line and also their vintages offer great value . Currently own only one for now tho
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I really liked the look of the reissued silver arrow but never saw it in the metal.
Their heritage line is just done so tastefully.
I'm not blown away by the newer stuff, but I do rather like a few of the 1970s hummers.
A few more good pictures of that 1945:
https://www.fratellowatches.com/longines-heritage-1945/
OK. You've sold me. Time to sell some stuff so I can a) afford it and b) have somewhere to put it.
Somewhere to put it is easy. I find the left wrist most convenient
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