Longines is the world’s oldest registered watch brand that is still in business. Sport and aviation timekeeping are among the many areas in which the firm, which was founded in 1832, is a pioneer. Their finest models are equipped with a chronograph, a calendar function, and a moon phase display, among other features. To date, Longines has a rich and illustrious history spanning over 180 years, and the company is still one of the most successful Swiss luxury watchmakers. The company is well-known for manufacturing high-quality timepieces. Since the nineteenth century, their chronographs, which are marked with the brand’s winged hourglass insignia, have been used to time horse races.
The brand Longines was the first company to create a diving watch with an integrated diving bezel, which was in 1960. Both men and women will find something they like in the current collection, which includes various appealing selections.
Longines Has Stood for Tradition and Elegance
Longines watches have a long and illustrious history that dates back to 1832. At the end of that summer, Auguste Agassiz, a 23-year-old businessman from Saint-Imier, Switzerland, established himself as an active partner at Comptoir Raiguel Jeune, a watch manufacturer in the town of Saint-Imier. Comptoir purchased ébauche movements and resold them to watchmakers in the region. Agassiz was so successful at the workshop that he could take entire control over it in 1846. However, due to health issues, he was compelled to find a suitable replacement. Ernest Francillon, his nephew, was chosen to succeed him. Ernest Francillon joined the company in 1852 and became president a year later. In a short period of time, Francillon concluded that Comptoir’s business model could not be sustained. As a result, he investigated the possibility of mass production.
When a plot of property on the bank of the river Suze became available for purchase in 1866, Francillon jumped at the chance and bought it for himself. Francillon’s land was located in a location known as “Les Longines” (“the long meadows”), which was ideal for constructing a factory. The workshop was established by Francillon in 1867. In the same year, they introduced the 20A movement, which was their first in-house movement. This grade of work was recognized in the Paris International Exhibition with an award. Longines has steadily increased the level of industrialization in their manufacturing processes, establishing them as a pioneer in the mechanization of watch manufacturing.
- Longines Flagship: A Traditional Watch
The Longines Flagship series will appeal to those who enjoy traditional timepieces. It received a great deal of positive feedback from fans. The watches in the series are powered by enhanced self-winding movements, yet they retain the timeless and classic look that fans have come to expect from Omega. For about $1,269 USD, you may get a monochrome appearance with the Flagship Automatic in silver. Its stainless steel case and bracelet are both finished in sunray silver, which complements the dial. Also notable is the fact that it has a 38.5mm diameter, which is usual for dress watches and vintage-inspired timepieces. It is powered by a self-winding L888 caliber that beats at a frequency of 25,200 vph and has a power reserve of 64 hours. As an additional note, this movement just provides the time and date functionalities.
There are three counters in the chronograph function: one for 30 minutes, one for 12 hours, and one for 60 seconds. In order to take advantage of these additional features, you’ll have to pay an additional $3,300 USD. However, despite the fact that it has a number of complications, its dial is clean against a milky white background. Furthermore, the brown alligator strap elevates it to the level of a formal dress watch. Finally, the Flagship Heritage Automatic is a sight to behold at a cost of only $1,675 US dollars. It has a black minute tracker that moves about immediately below the hour markings and is visible at all times. This creates the illusion that it is equipped with a pie-pan dial. Furthermore, the gold hands and hour markers on this timepiece offer a beautiful contrast to the cream background. It is powered by the L615 automatic caliber, which has a power reserve of 42 hours and is housed within.
- The Longines Conquest: A Must-Have for any Athlete’s Wardrobe
The Longines Conquest is frequently likened to the Hydroconquest in terms of scope and scale. Aside from the absence of the word “hydro” from their name, they share the same sporty feel. Watches from this series, like the Hydroconquest, are designed to fulfill the needs of a wide range of athletes. With the exception of the first model, every subsequent model has a more elegant design that is guaranteed to capture people’s attention.
The Conquest Chronograph Automatic is the first watch on the list. The casing of this watch is made of stainless steel and is 44.5mm in diameter, giving it a tough yet sophisticated appearance. Chronograph functionality is included, with the center 60-second counter, 30-minute counter, and 12-hour counter displayed. To top it off, it boasts a tachymeter bezel that is simple to read and operate. All things considered, you can get this feature-rich timepiece for $2,750 USD. A less expensive and more straightforward version of the Conquest is available for $1,275 USD. It lacks the bells and whistles of a chronograph, but it more than makes up for it with its VHP movement, which is a first for the Conquest line. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, VHP stands for “Very High Precision,” and it provides an accuracy rating of +/- 5 seconds per year. In terms of looks, this watch has a simple white dial that is easy to read and is simple in design.
- The Longines Hydroconquest: A Very Stunning Dive Watch
The Longines Hydroconquest series, which was introduced in 2007, is the company’s primary diving watch collection. These watches are available in a variety of high-quality materials and dial layouts, and they are designed to withstand the weather. In addition, they are all equipped with high-quality lume, which allows you to read the time even in low-light settings, which is particularly useful. In terms of price, the Longines Hydroconquest Quartz in black is one of the most affordable Longines watches available. This watch is only $1,000 USD because of its quartz movement, the Calibre L263. However, don’t be fooled by the low price, as this watch is jam-packed with useful functions. First and foremost, it has a high water resistance rating of 300m (985ft), which is far greater than what is required for recreational divers. Second, it includes a unidirectional bezel, which will come in handy when it comes to timing your dives.
A mechanical version, on the other hand, costs $1,600 USD and is available for purchase. The Hydroconquest Automatic Black is a dive watch with all the bells and whistles you might want for a dive. It is particularly durable, thanks to its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and its water-resistance certification of 300m (985ft) in depth. Furthermore, it is equipped with a steel bracelet that is both durable and comfortable to wear. This timepiece is an excellent choice for divers, whether they are professional or recreational. It is the Hydroconquest Automatic Chronograph that is ideal for people who have more demanding requirements. It contains an additional chronograph function besides the diving functions that were present in the earlier models as well. There are three hands on the chronograph: a central 60-second hand, a 30-minute counter, and a 12-hour counter. All of these features are available for less than $2,400 USD.
Takeaway
In honor of Longines’ watchmaking legacy, the Master Collection is composed solely of mechanical timepieces, as the name implies. The majority of these devices are powered by automatic movements. The timeless elegance of each design is accented with modern, athletic elements.
