Horological Meandering

For those interested in seeing some pics. of this Military re-issue here are some for your viewing:

At 38.5mm it doesn't wear big unlike a Lange 1. Strap is on the long side,I'm on the last hole.

Some may prefer without date and larger crown but for what you pay

it can't be perfect! Vintage look without vintage hassle,why not?

Thanks for looking

cheers

fernando

 

 

... and a question: doesn't the British government retain a copyright on the use of the Broadarrow symbol?

 

Alex 

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I regret that I don't really know the legal and historical details, but evidently the symbol is in the public domain, and the name "Broadarrow" is actually a commercial brand.  Several legitimate homage watch makers (including Broadarrow) use the symbol.

 

I knew the broadarrow only from its official UK armed forces usage.

This does raise the issue whether and how makers have at least a moral responsibility to use such historical symbols accurately and with respect.

 

Alex

And i think it would look even better on a nice NATO.

Could this be another hit from Longines? Who knows.

Thanks for the pictures and congrats on your new acquisition Fernando.

Filip

Exactly what I was thinking about: the Nato or maybe a nicely worn tan leather strap.I really don't like the OEM strap or buckle.

cheers

fernando

Thanks Fernando. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a vintage "Greenlander" several years ago for a few hundred dollars.

- SJX

there's always something else on the horizon! I take it you don't like the date on this one?

cheers

fernando

its a pretty good re edition of a WW2 standard military issue longines WWW (waterproof wristwatch), but the true greenlander had a different case and bigger crown. very rarely seen these days although lots of sellers will call all longines military pieces 'Greenlanders'. the greenlander was used by paratroops and had a case within a case design to protect from excess shock, temperature and water ingress. its identifiable by a brushed finish and a wider bezel because of the double cased design.

i dont have a pic, but will try to find one.

sorry if that sounds negative, but apart from the above it looks quite nice.

best

Graham

This message has been edited by gmhutton on 2009-11-21 04:22:35

...apart from military watch fans, I wouldn't see a recreation of the original as having much of a commercial market.

To me it seems reasonable for manufacturers to update the designs of their past classics. For example, I regard the IWC Mark XII as a pretty good attempt to predict what would be delivered if the MOD Mark 11 specification had been produced in the early 1990s, and hence a pretty good commercially viable follow-on.

which reminds me of vintage watches that have poorly fitting replacement crowns. But as you said, for the money I'd be tempted by one too. Though I'd get the Idrografico chrono and Legend divers first...

home.watchprosite.com

- SJX

I love what Longines has been doing to recapture their legitimately wonderful history, I trust they are making a big success.

This particular watch seems to be the proper historical size, although as others have mentioned they do not recreate the
unique (if kind of clunky) case, and of course it has the apparently required modern accompaniments (date display, too-small
automatic movement).  If I were in the market for this particular type of homage watch I would certainly consider it, but given
Longines history they could have certainly designed something more distinctive.  Here is that original case:

i've always LOVED Military/Pilot Style Watches.

i like this one a lot, and fits you well. but wish it was bigger (for me)

Cheers

Tony

 

 

 

Wonder Longines will issue another version without date like what they have 2  versions for Legend Diver Just Dreaming.:> This message has been edited by chronomtr on 2009-11-21 07:45:14

wonder it is a limited producted <1000 for the 3 digits number at back.

 

 

 

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1) lug may be a bit long

2) crown may be a bit small and thin but with Longines logo

3) small sub-dial too small but it occupy with a date function.

4) the buckle is signed

5) the bezel may be a bit shiny and the stepped pattern too suble

all in all, with the above comments, it is still a best buy.

By the way, the strap is quite good in quality IMO.

 

Cheers.

Would have preferred it without date, tough, but it is another superb offer from Longines.

Enjoy!

Best,

Nicolas

another dial, neat without date.

 

But I wonder, the movement may require to be changed with another one since current one will be a big gap at 6 o'clock when without date. Or simply an incomplete "6" can resolve. I am really looking for this version.  

 

I see a familar photo taken by SteveG for his Real Greenlander at the last page.

 

Here is the light and dark (for the upper part)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This message has been edited by chronomtr on 2009-11-22 04:50:49

...why is the compromise 'acceptable' due to the price point??

They tooled up a new case (that doesn't "work" aethetically) and a new dial (date on a WWW? riiiight), hands  and crown (also 'wrong'). The cost isn't an issue, it's that they got so many of the details just flat-out wrong. Details that, had they really tried, would not have cost them an extra cent.

Very disappointing. As it's these details that make the WWWs so interesting.

Sorry, but I think this is a rather lazy watch.

Thanks, I buy this one as an intermediate drug.

Price is surely one of the element of consideration which drive the purchase.
Quality is also one. Quality of re-issue is a subset of quality. The overall quality is fine to me. So I wear it today.

If they have another version without date, I may wear two one on am while another one on pm.

I hope I can have the two.

Ciaos
This message has been edited by chronomtr on 2009-11-23 01:24:57

 

The date remains  on 6th. LOL

This looks great on your wrist Fernando.  I'm curious though.  The lugs look rather long and protruding.  Do they get in the way at all during wear?

I happen to like the styling of the re-issue.  It has a vintage look to it that still captures the essense of the original design.  However, it also feels more current and up-to-date than the original. 

Enjoy the watch and thanks for sharing the pics.

Now that it's mentioned I am having a closer look at the lugs which does appear to be a bit long but fortunately when watch is secured snugly to the wrist it isn't protruding beyond it.I am looking to change the strap, although this one is well made it feels a little stiff and doesn't hug the wrist as I would prefer plus it's a bit long for me..

It does look smaller than 38.5 mm due to the step up case.

cheers

fernando

...are particularly 'long'. I think Longines has moved the springbar attachment points such that they are higher in the lugs themselves, perhaps to close up the gap between the strap and the case. Which just ends up looking strange.

What is the cost of the new WWW ? I have owned an origional since 1963 (had a choice for 21st birthday, pleased to have been correct!)  have used a plastic thing for sailing for the last thirty years (more waterproof) but now I am using my 'Greenlander' again, loses about 15 seconds a month - oh dear! Does look a bit different what with the date etc. Mine has never been touched, so is still with the Radium.