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Horological Meandering

Hauntingly beautiful dive watch

 

Dear fellow purists,

Sometimes, the things that haunt us the most, draw us back to them. Much like a girl whom one would like to associate with, but never mustered the guts to talk to, then finally one gets to talk to her, and the stars align.

As many of you would be as well, we like to be able to use a watch for it's true purpose. Whether it is using a Rolex Explorer for caving, or the Omega Proplof for diving, the thrill is of taking one's best friend to see what is intended - like the ultimate purpose of meeting one's maker.

Today, the U1 and Longines Legend Diver Date finally caught up with me. Both are of the same price point. Guess which one came home with me?

It's gotta be...

 

 




I almost got the U1 until I pulled out the crown to adjust the date, and the stem felt flimsy, much in contrast to the sturdy exterior of the watch. I didn't like the buckle because it could drop off underwater for sure.

Then I saw the legend diver, a piece I always admired in Bimbeano's collection. The strap is simple and not prone to dropping off. I could slip it over a dive cuff easily. What about the dings and scratches steel is prone to? It only brings more character and life to a watch. The LLDD is almost archaic. like a yellow pages phone book we used to use, but don't anymore. If you've seen how beautiful plexiglass is side-on, you will lament on sapphire. Sure it scratches more easily, but i could deal with that.

If there's one watch to become my dive companion....it's gotta be this one.

This message has been edited by Cookies on 2011-05-17 05:30:20

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Updated the post =)

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-05:31
my apologies, clicked submit before i posted the pic and wrote more. It's all up for your eyes only now. Have a great week, Cookies

Hey I got it right anyways.

 
By: grigo : May 17th, 2011-07:08
congratulations it is a great watch. Best regards, George

Congrats, cookies...

 
By: BDLJ : May 17th, 2011-05:41
...Lovely watch, though I do prefer the no date. One on the list for sure. When you get it wet, could you check something for me? How easy/difficult is it to adjust the crown underwater/all set up? The screwdown on the bezel crown....don't know what to th... 

I suspect..

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-05:57
the crown can only be operated when dry. Surely, it will have water intrusion on adjusting the internal bezel underwater. Therefore, will only adjust it on the boat, before backrolling into a dive. Will definitely take this on my next trip in a few months... 

Correct. You would definitely kill the watch when setting the diving bezel under water ...

 
By: Marcus Hanke : May 17th, 2011-06:08
... this is one of the technical shortcomings of the integrated bezel solution, compared with the standard, exterior bezel. In fact, the integrated solution only has disadvantages: needs a second hole in the watertight case, needs a larger, thus more expe...  

As I recall...

 
By: SteveW : May 17th, 2011-08:21
...The IWC Aquatimer, with an internal bezel, is designed to be used underwater to a certain depth and then disconnects after that depth. The disconnect mechanism is based on the pressure on the bezel crown. I can't at the moment recall whether this is to...  

this consteau diver

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-11:30
is a remarkably flashy dive watch i would love to have. Is it the one with the wood from the Calypso?

spot on..

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-11:28
you take beautiful pics, and i still recall the blue nautical theme maxi marine u spot

Definitely?

 
By: BDLJ : May 17th, 2011-16:50
What makes you say that? I completely agree that it is probably unwise, but unless the sealing arrangement is understood, it's hard to say. In fact, if it cannot be adjusted wet (not submerged), Longines hasn't thought too deeply about the seals. The orig... 

I think the problem is less the wet setting itself, but ....

 
By: Marcus Hanke : May 18th, 2011-01:30
... the re-downscrewing of the crown, which forces the humidity into the case, in spite of the gaskets. this is the reason why - with very few exceptions - you must not use the chronograph pushers under water, even if the watch itself is tight in spite of... 

But Marcus...

 
By: BDLJ : May 18th, 2011-03:42
...did you still get al dente spaghetti with the Aquatimer? Thanks for the reply. I think the moisture being forced into the watch will depend on the sealing design (axial or double axial vs face seal). But all good points. My understanding of not using t... 

I am yet...

 
By: BDLJ : May 17th, 2011-16:00
...to locate a cross-section of that crown to see about adjusting when wet, but to do suspect you're right. Looking for farward to seeing your field report.

Great choice, my friend.

 
By: amanico : May 17th, 2011-05:54
And very happy to see you joining the happy community of LLD owners. A watch you will appreciate more and mlore with time. Huge congratulations. Nicolas.

Yes Sir

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-05:59
You and Bimbeano have lured me to this beauty.... Not with a sales pitch, but with logos and appeal to reason.

Dive watches

 
By: dr.kol : May 17th, 2011-07:01
Hello Cookies, I have both the U1 and LLD. These watches are not together with my "collector's watches" but in the equipment bag together with other diving gear. In my opinion the LLD is a nicer watch for every day use but U1 is unbeatable for tough divin... 

This one really is beginning to grow on me!

 
By: ocwatching : May 17th, 2011-08:08
Great pickup on an iconic piece! Congrats and wear it in good health!

It will sure make an excellent dive partner, Cookies..but.

 
By: KC74 : May 17th, 2011-08:22
..why didnt you opt for the non-date version? I think the non-date is more pure.. Anyways, do share underwater pics with this one!! Nice catch. I like the way you describe the "experience with a girl you admired and have enough courage to speak to and the... 

you won't believe it

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-08:24
it was for convenience I took this one. There was no stock for the no date version at the AD, and I forgot there was a no-date version. So i took this one. Hahaha

impulsive decision and i dont think you got anywhere near wrong..

 
By: KC74 : May 17th, 2011-08:30
..right decision for a close to vintage model Longines reissued. this watch was also featured as a collectors item in one British watch publication when it was first released.

when it comes to elegance in a diver....

 
By: Baron - Mr Red : May 17th, 2011-08:38
this has to be right up at the top of the tree.... Really is beautiful.

appealing isn't it, Baron

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-09:03
Read your post on rock climbing. You know the answer now.

Woot!

 
By: dxboon : May 17th, 2011-09:30
Glad to see you joining the club, Cookies! Kong has been goading me to take my LLD into the water more (I did...briefly.), but I rinsed it off right after I dunked it into the ocean. What can I say? I'm a girl. I love my LLD! You'll love yours! Cheers, Da... 

hell yea

 
By: Cookies : May 17th, 2011-10:54
it's the best thing that happened to longines, don't you think? I need to take this to the sea soon. I know you will take it to where it belongs.

One more reason the LLD is such a great choice...

 
By: respo : May 17th, 2011-12:31
...as is apparent from the responses on this thread: it is a real community watch. It seems that many here not only share your enthusiasm for this Longines watch but also own it. I am at least in the camp that agrees that this is a special watch, one of t... 

Congrats from a fellow LLD-owner !

 
By: bimbeano : May 17th, 2011-14:39
The LLD remains my favorite and will remain so for years to come ... . .. and it looks best on an olive NATO ... Bim...  

Howdy fellow LLD owner

 
By: Hororgasm : May 18th, 2011-04:19
I don't have the specs of the 2 watches on hand, and I am a "soft core" collector, who wont go diving with these watches, but I suspect they will both serve their purposes very well. Sinn is more "robust" looking and arguably is sportier, at least sea-spo... 

Congrats

 
By: IKH : May 18th, 2011-08:09
One of my favorite not so expensive watches......  

Nice Nato

 
By: Cookies : May 18th, 2011-22:56
It has inspired me to get the strap replaced. Will get a black NATO and get it customed stitched at the tailor with a cream thread.