Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11297
Baselworld 2013: Longines
Longines at Baselworld 2013
presented by Marcus Hanke
presented by Marcus Hanke
This year Certina and Tissot are celebrating their anniversaries, while last year it was Longines’ turn. To celebrate its 180th anniversary, Longines released a large array of great new watches in the Anniversary and Saint Imier-collections. However, there was some serious delay in getting these watches to the dealers, unfortunately.
This year, the manufacturer seems to consolidate the growth of its line-up, so the number of novelties is not very large. Additionally, there are no completely new models, but rather new variants of existing models, the only exception being the three-piece series “Heritage Military 1938”.
To begin with, last year’s limited edition ladies’ timepiece “Grande Classique” has received a non-limited counterpart, with less diamonds on the bezel - 100 jewels, to be exact.
The Conquest Classic series has got a few nice additions: The ladies’ variant has a diameter of 29.5mm and is equipped with the self-winding cal. ETA 2000 movement. It is offered in a manifold of versions, with or without diamonds on bezel and/or dial, stainless steel, 18k gold, or in combination, dials in mother of pearl, black or white.
The gentlemen’s three hands watch is 40mm wide and powered by the ETA 2892A2. It, too, comes in several variants of case material and dial colours.
Most interesting model in my opinion is the chronograph, which is similar to last year’s St Imier collection, but has an - Omega-inspired - deck plank-like dial structure. The case is 41mm wide and also available in steel, steel-gold or 18k gold.
Most interesting, however, is the movement: The cal. Caliber L688.2 (ETA A08.L01), an iteration of the well-known ETA 7753 (which again is the tri-compax variant of the 7750) was developed exclusively for Longines and features a column-wheel chronograph mechanism and a power reserve of 54 hours.
The next series receiving some facelift is the Hydroconquest line of diving watches. The changes on the three hands timepieces are not spectacular, and limited to some spots of colour on the register and/or the bezel. Diameters are 39 and 41mm, movement is the ETA 2892A2.
Of more interest is the new Hydroconquest chronograph, which also receives the exclusive cal. 688.2 movement with column wheel. I like that the dial discontinues the oversized numerals that had cluttered the counters of the predecessing 7750 version. However, the date window at 4:30 is a bit disturbing in the layout, which altogether appears rather busy.
Finally, a completely new series of three timepieces is launched as the Heritage Military 1938, some very soberly designed, classic military/pilot style watches with steel cases, onion crowns, black dials with large luminous Arabian numerals.
The three hands model is 40mm wide and equipped with the ETA 2892A2.
In my opinion the timepiece more refined in style and mechanics is the 24 hours model with the second time zone. Its 42mm case is nicely filled by the ETA A07 171 Valgranges movement.
Finally, the Military 1938 chronograph is 42mm wide and features a classic bi-compax layout with small second at 9 and 30 minutes counter at 3. Its movement is not the column wheel cal. L688, but rather the more conventional ETA A07 231 Valgranges, the enlarged variant of the 7750.
This message has been edited by Marcus Hanke on 2013-05-29 06:30:42
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-05-29 08:57:23 This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-06-01 10:49:19
Review
Explore the Omega Speedmaster Professional s design, movement, and legacy. Jack Forster s detailed article and collector insights on Hesalite vs. sapphire, value, and history.
47 replies109050 views
Review
AndrewD reviews his Girard-Perregaux 1999 Chronograph Ref. 4946 with a cream dial. Discover its 38mm case, Caliber 3370, vintage design, and why this limited-edition piece is a collector's favorite.
52 replies48692 views
Review
Marcus Hanke's in-depth review of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Caliber 9300. Explore its unique bi-compax chronograph and design.
16 replies29622 views
Vintage
Discover the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1996 Chronograph Ref. 4930, an underappreciated 90s gem with in-house Caliber 3170 and vintage design cues.
27 replies20326 views
Review
Explore AndrewD's in-depth review of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph Ref. 49539-52-151-BK6A. Discover its comfort, design, and movement insights.
25 replies13243 views
Vintage
Discover rare vintage chronographs and dive watches from a Paris GTG, including Longines 13zn, Omega Speedmaster 2998, and Rolex Submariner references.
47 replies11077 views
Baselworld 2013: Longines
Longines at Baselworld 2013 presented by Marcus Hanke This year Certina and Tissot are celebrating their anniversaries, while last year it was Longines’ turn. To celebrate its 180th anniversary, Longines released a large array of great new watches in the ...
Why but why do they insist in putting a date in those dials?
The miltiary is a nice looking piece, but with a date??? If only Longines could go for a nice movement for their chronograph... Yes, yes, I know, I sound like a broken record, but when you know the glorious past of this brand, it is a pity to see the pres...
I made the remark about the date...
At least, one watch without... but no, the whole collection was with this date. So I asked them why because I would never buy such kind of watch with a date. Answer: people prefer with the date, some don't but at the end, there are more people in the firs...
Because of calendar idiots like myself ...
... who forget the date within a few hours. Looking on the phone is no alternative: open protective cover, push button to activate smartphone, wipe over screensaver/star screen, and - in my case - start calendar app, vs. looking on the wrist. I have only ...
In part caused by Nico's campaign against date ...
I got a watch without the date. Esthetic wise is cool but I learned that I'm a "date depended" and the watch entered the long list of ex-watches. Of close, since we all have our psiquic issues, I cannot resist a watch with the date at 4:30. Irresistible! ...
I'm not opposed to date, but...
AT LEAST make the date disc match the dial so that it's more subtle! -Dean
I like the 24 hours and I like the positioning ...
That Swatch is doing across their entire line. Longines is targeting the upper entry level watches and they should be successful with this approach. Of course, they are far from their glorious past but Swatch needs to fill all market spaces. Cheers, Nilo
To make a long story short...
Tissot did a great collection and I was very disappointed by Longines. Thanks a lot for for your detailed report. Fx
Not a very
exciting range of watches ..........but the military 24 hours with 2nd time zone is certainly appealing----my pick of the lot!
I concur
My pick too. The rest just seems very mundane...maybe the divers with the red bezel would be a close 2nd for me. Richard
sadly not much there to interest me. preferred last years 24hr piece.
i dont think that had a date :) G.
You mean this 24 hours watch?
this was launched in 2011, and - as is apparent - it had a date window. Regards, Marcus ...
yep i think your right...
yep i think your right Nico. Longines have a long hook up with swissair as no one else has bought their watches for several years :) G On 2 Jun 2013 21:26, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* amanico (registered) on June 2nd, ...
ah Marcus you have ruined...
ah Marcus you have ruined my dreams by showing it to me. its got a date and too busy so i dont want it anymore. woe is me :) best G *Alert from:* www:watchprosite *Posted By:* Marcus Hanke (registered) on June 2nd, 2013 - 12:20 *Title: You mean this 24 ho...
yes....
yes. On 3 Jun 2013 10:53, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* amanico (registered) on June 3rd, 2013 - 02:53 > > *Title: Honestly, isn't it better without date? [nt] > * > > *
some run-of-the-mill products
if timeless in the sense that boredom never ages. However I do appreciate the Military 1938. That was the year before all hell broke loose, and I don't think this one would stand a chance in a combat situation. What is remarkable is that I actually like t...
Swatch Group seems to use Longines as a mass destruction weapon...
When you see the price point of these watches and the me-too design, Swatch Group really seems to use Longines as a mass destruction weapon against brands like Tag Heuer, B&M, etc. The "sad" thing about the actual products is the "neutral" design and ...
I think you conclude too much from this year's collection onto a general trend ...
If you look at last year's presentations, the watches are really interesting, and I think there are some collectibles among them. At my local Longines dealer, I checked out the weird-looking slanted big monopusher chronograph with the hunter case. This is...