Feature: 3 New Longines Watches That Won’t Break The Bank

Longines has become somewhat of a one-stop-shop catering for all tastes and specifications. Want something sporty? Longines has that. Want something vintage-looking? it has that too. Something aviation-inspired? I think you already know the answer. So, with that in mind, shall we take a look at three of Longines’ newest watches?

Longines Legend Diver With Gradient Dial - £1,750

The Legend Diver returns in 2021. Longines has joined the trend of gradient dials and has given its dive watch one. Available in either “Tobacco” brown or blue, the new Legend Diver has received a few tweaks here and there.

In addition to the new dials, the movement has been updated. To keep with the times, the automatic Calibre L888.5—which is a modified ETA A31.L11—now has a 64-hour power reserve—a lot more than the previous models 38—a silicon balance spring—so that the movement is less pervious to magnetism and long-term lull in accuracy—and runs at a higher frequency of 25,200 vph.

Other than its new movement and fancy dial, the Legend Diver remains pretty much the same. It’s still got the 42mm polished case with double screw-down crowns, a highly legible dial and internally rotating bezel, 300 meters of water resistance; it even still has that damned steel caseback.

It’s new, it’s updated, but most importantly, it’s still every bit the watch fans have come to love—and at £1,750, the Legend Diver won’t put you too much out of pocket either.

Longines Avigation BigEye Titanium – £2,970

No collection is complete without a chronograph. This one won't cost you an arm or leg either—it’s £2,970. While I agree that it isn’t exactly cheap, what you get for your money is actually rather a lot.

Not only are you getting a great looking, classically styled aviation chronograph, but you are also getting a titanium one at that. The distractingly large “Big Eye” minute counter mixed with the highly legible—now blue gradient—dial and oversized pushers means that this watch can be used with ease.

Hidden within the 41mm grade 5 titanium case is the Calibre L688. Just like the Legend Diver with its movement, the Calibre L688 has been updated. In addition to the new column wheel—added to make the chronograph more accurate—the new Calibre L688 now also has a silicon balance-spring to ensure resistance to magnetism and help maintain accuracy over long periods of time. However, unlike the Legend Diver, the BigEye has not received a power reserve increase. It still has the same 54-hour duration and 28,800 vph frequency as its predecessor.

A chronograph from a heritage brand, made from exotic materials, that looks this good, and costs just shy of £3,000 new—who said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it?

Longines Silver Arrow – £1,520

Finally, we get to the new Silver Arrow, a re re-edition of the watch first released by Longines in 1956. Want a vintage piece without the problems of an actual vintage piece? Look no further than this.

The first thing you will notice about his watch is the simple dial layout—a classic three-hander with sword-shaped minute and hour hands. Moving in closer, you come across the old-school silver arrow branding and the domed crystal made to look like the Plexiglas used on vintage watches in the 50s. All this together—along with the railroad track minute/second ring and accompanying brown leather strap—the subtle features on this watch help to create a simple but satisfying vintage-looking design.

Modelled after a watch from the 50s, the new Silver Arrow—at 38mm—is the smallest watch of the three. It is, however, still 3mm bigger than its 1956 predecessor, a change Longines made to accommodate evolution in style and taste over the last 60 or so years.

Powering the new Silver Arrow is the Calibre L888.5. Just like the other two watches on this list, the Calibre L888.5 has a silicon balance spring. In addition to that, the Calibre L888.5 boasts a 72-hour power reserve and runs at 25,200 vph. This all makes for a reliable and accurate long-lasting movement.

So, there you have it. Whatever you are in the market for, it seems that Longines has the answer—and that answer won’t break the bank either!

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