Tag: Longines

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Swiss Replica

BASELWORLD 2017 : Longines Flagship Heritage 60thAnniversary

Although it seems, in recent years, that the popularity of diving into the archives for new releases has markedly increased, Longines has been paying attention to their heritage for awhile.

This year has brought some very pared back models, including a special anniversary Flagship anniversary model. This new model was announced before Baselworld 2017, but consider it now formally launched.  It is important to bear in mind that Longines did release another Heritage Flagship model in 2014, about which you can read here.

The year of 1957 saw Longines launch its Flagship line of dress replica watches characterised by classic, clean, elegant simplicity. The ‘Flagship’ name was and is, a reference to the ship after which it is named.

These new anniversary models come in numbered limited editions of 60 pieces in rose gold, 60 in yellow gold, and 1,957 in steel. All case metal variants share a brushed silver two zone dial, but the (lumed) dauphine hands, indices, and Arabic numerals are yellow gold for the yellow gold cased version and rose gold for both the rose gold and stainless steel models.

Unlike back in the 1950s, the Anniversary Flagship is not a manual-wind but contains the automatic Calibre L609 (ETA 2892 base) with forty-two hours of power reserve.

The case has been naturally increased, to a nicely sized 38.5mm that is on the lower side of modern dress replica watch standards but of a size that hits a sweet spot for many people. It comes on a brown alligator strap.

The Longines Flagship’s name relates to the Fleet Admiral’s flag on his ship, and this anniversary model reflects the historical models with the presence of a stamped relief of a caravel sailing ship. This is, however, a dress replica watch, so water resistance is only 30m.

Heritage re-issues tend to be replica watches that elicit a lot of opinions from replica watch enthusiasts in general, but especially those who own the originals. Small changes are important and the addition of features such as a date window where one wasn’t previously present for modern commercial demands always leads to animated discussion.

For me, this new Flagship Heritage 60th Anniversary model is a particularly fine example of a heritage-inspired piece.

One of the most interesting things about this new model is that Longines are telling the story of its creation as being linked to brand ambassador Kate Winslet. If you go to their website you will see it, but they say that during a trip to the Manufacture, she found herself rather taken by a vintage Flagship model that she saw. This lead to a limited edition of five pieces sold to benefit her Golden Hat Foundation (of which Longines is a supporter) and now, these 60th anniversary models.

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Calendar Watch Hands-on Longines Replica Men Watch

LONGINES Introduces The Heritage1918

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918a

That I look forward to seeing what Longines releases in its Heritage collection each year is no big secret, and Baselworld 2016 brought with it two additions to this collection. Today is about a replica watch with a familiar case shape bu in a different form, the Heritage 1918.replique de montre rolex

 

At the outset I mentioned that there was a hint of familiarity with this new model. This is because it reminds me of a Red 12 model that Longines released a couple of years ago, inspired by a historical piece from a similar period. Not everyone is into Red 12s nor does everyone wish for a chronograph, so for those who are fans of that particular period’s style of case and ‘look’ but didn’t want the red 12, this new release may tick your vintage-modern boxes.

The choice of a strap colour to match the fill colour of the hands really does make a big difference. Had they chosen a dark brown or even a black strap the effect would not have been as warm as it is. I know that I sometimes might go on a bit about a strap, but I’ve found that a strap change can make a huge difference, and witnessed people who have been converted to a replica watch by a simple colour change. This strap works.

As the name indicates, this is an update of a model from 1918. The case shape, lugs, white-lacquered dial, hands and numerals may reflect the original, especially with the honeyed tones of the ‘faux vintage’ colouring which is also tonally reflected in the alligator strap colour, but Longines have added their usual update of a date function (and on this note I might add that I had the opportunity to meet CEO Mr. Von Kanel and asked him why they keep on adding a date to Heritage Collection reissues – his answer was because people ask for it) as well as putting in an automatic movement (L615/ ETA 2895/2) and increasing the size to models that are 38.5mm and 41mm stainless steel.

 

The Australian RRPs are $2,200 and $2,300 respectively for the different sizes.

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918e

For those who like diamonds on their replica watches, there is also a diamond bezel version of the 38.5mm size featuring sixty diamonds totalling 1 carat.

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Longines Replica

Replica Longines Heritage1918

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918a

That I look forward to seeing what unqiue and elegant replica Longines releases in its Heritage collection each year is no big secret, and Baselworld 2016 brought with it two additions to this collection. Today is about a replica watch with a familiar case shape bu in a different form, the Heritage 1918.

As the name indicates, this is an update of a model from 1918. The case shape, lugs, white-lacquered dial, hands and numerals may reflect the original, especially with the honeyed tones of the ‘faux vintage’ colouring which is also tonally reflected in the alligator strap colour, but Longines have added their usual update of a date function (and on this note I might add that I had the opportunity to meet CEO Mr. Von Kanel and asked him why they keep on adding a date to Heritage Collection reissues – his answer was because people ask for it) as well as putting in an automatic movement (L615/ ETA 2895/2) and increasing the size to models that are 38.5mm and 41mm stainless steel.

The choice of a strap colour to match the fill colour of the hands really does make a big difference. Had they chosen a dark brown or even a black strap the effect would not have been as warm as it is. I know that I sometimes might go on a bit about a strap, but I’ve found that a strap change can make a huge difference, and witnessed people who have been converted to a replica watch by a simple colour change. This strap works.

At the outset I mentioned that there was a hint of familiarity with this new model. This is because it reminds me of a Red 12 model that Longines released a couple of years ago, inspired by a historical piece from a similar period. Not everyone is into Red 12s nor does everyone wish for a chronograph, so for those who are fans of that particular period’s style of case and ‘look’ but didn’t want the red 12, this new release may tick your vintage-modern boxes.

The Australian RRPs are $2,200 and $2,300 respectively for the different sizes.

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918e

For those who like diamonds on their replica watches, there is also a diamond bezel version of the 38.5mm size featuring sixty diamonds totalling 1 carat.

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Longines Replica

Classic Replica LONGINES Heritage1918 Watch Hands On

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918a

That I look forward to seeing what Longines releases in its Heritage collection each year is no big secret, and Baselworld 2016 brought with it two additions to this collection. Today is about a hgih quality replica watch with a familiar case shape bu in a different form, the Heritage 1918.

As the name indicates, this is an update of a model from 1918. The case shape, lugs, white-lacquered dial, hands and numerals may reflect the original, especially with the honeyed tones of the ‘faux vintage’ colouring which is also tonally reflected in the alligator strap colour, but Longines have added their usual update of a date function (and on this note I might add that I had the opportunity to meet CEO Mr. Von Kanel and asked him why they keep on adding a date to Heritage Collection reissues – his answer was because people ask for it) as well as putting in an automatic movement (L615/ ETA 2895/2) and increasing the size to models that are 38.5mm and 41mm stainless steel.

The choice of a strap colour to match the fill colour of the hands really does make a big difference. Had they chosen a dark brown or even a black strap the effect would not have been as warm as it is. I know that I sometimes might go on a bit about a strap, but I’ve found that a strap change can make a huge difference, and witnessed people who have been converted to a replica watch by a simple colour change. This strap works.

At the outset I mentioned that there was a hint of familiarity with this new model. This is because it reminds me of a Red 12 model that Longines released a couple of years ago, inspired by a historical piece from a similar period. Not everyone is into Red 12s nor does everyone wish for a chronograph, so for those who are fans of that particular period’s style of case and ‘look’ but didn’t want the red 12, this new release may tick your vintage-modern boxes.

The Australian RRPs are $2,200 and $2,300 respectively for the different sizes.

Basel2016LonginesHeritage1918e

For those who like diamonds on their replica watches, there is also a diamond bezel version of the 38.5mm size featuring sixty diamonds totalling 1 carat.

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Longines Replica

HANDS-ON: The Replica Longines Heritage MilitaryCOSD

LonginesHeritageMilitaryCOSD8

We have already covered a number of new Heritage pieces from Longines this year such as the Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Heritage Chronograph, Pulsometer Chronograph and Heritage Diver 1967, but these weren’t the end of Longines’ 2015 story. For those who are more into the military-inspired replica watches from Longines’ rich past and who have perhaps not found other recent pieces quite to their preferences, here is a new proposition for you.

For those acquainted with with vintage military replica watches, the dial will immediately be familiar to you. The new Heritage Military COSD is based on replica watches issued to British Military personnel at the end of WWII by the Company Ordnance Supply Depot (COSD) for use in airbone military units. It comes in two variants which, aside from the Longines-esque addition of a date, are both pretty faithful to the original both in features and design. Both of the variants have an inner red 24-hour time scale familiar to many milwatches and a railroad track chapter ring.

The cream (or as Longines call it, opaline) dial model has hands framed in blue and the matte black dial one, rhodium-plated hands. There is also the use of Super-LumiNova® dots and batons on the minute railway track, marking hours and minutes.

Of particular note is the use of the ‘broad arrow’ on the upper part of the dial, a symbol in use in Britain at the time of the replica watch’s original issue to indicate government property. It is also a symbol that is much desired by collectors of military replica watches from the period.

The replica watch is available on either an alligator strap or a khaki-coloured NATO, and there is no question for me that the NATO look is not only the better of the two options but also the one that gives it the best ‘re-issue milwatch’ feel to it.

The original used the Calibre 12.68 in a chromed brass case; the modern version is a 40mm polished stainless steel case with a flat bezel that gives it quite a strong presence, and contains the solidly reliable automatic Calibre L619.2 movement (ETA 2892/ A2) with a power reserve of forty-two hours.

Water resistance is 30m, which basically amounts to some minor splashing. Air and not sea.

Two good looking replica watches that add to Longines’ rich Heritage collection, these aren’t ‘bread and butter’ pieces but like all other replica watches in this line, they’re not meant to be; these are modern acknowledgements of pieces that have been historically important to them. If you are looking for an affordable modern military-inspired replica watch with a very clear design bloodline, then take a look at these. As usual, and I realise I am getting incredibly predictable here, I’d have have probably voted for no date function, but I recognise that many like it in a modern replica watch.

On a NATO strap the Australian RRP (both dials) is $2,225, and on the alligator leather strap, the RRP is $2,500.

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Longines Replica

LONGINES : (Another) Column-Wheel Single Push-PieceChronograph

LonginesHeritageChronograph42

You may recall that a little while ago we wrote about a cheap fake Longines Heritage Collection Column-Wheel single pusher chronograph with a black dial that was also available in a white-dialled version which alas we did not get to see.

Well today is a third new monopusher chronograph option from Longines for your consideration.

In the same 41mm stainless steel case and also containing the automatic Calibre L788.2 (ETA A08.L11) movement, this piece is called the Reference L2.800.4.26.2-4.

The bi-compax layout is the same as the previous model, with a centre 60 seconds, 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock.

The differences between this and the other version are the markers and that the dial is white lacquered with silver areas (minutes circle and counters), painted Arabic numerals and batons and, of course, the blued hands. These cosmetic changes result in a very different look, as you can see in the first photo, and a more dressy one at that.

With a veritable feast of heritage-inspired chronographs from Longines in 2015, those who are looking for something along these lines will have a nice range of options from which to choose. Of those that I have handled there’s something to be said for this version nudging slightly ahead of the others. The dial, with its two tones that play a bit in the light, is slightly more intriguing.

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Longines Replica

Replica Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece HeritageChronograph

LonginesHeritageChronograph25

In recent years Longines have reissued a number of monopusher chronographs from their Museum as a part of its Heritage collection. A few months ago we looked at the new 2015 Pulsometer Chronometer monopusher with its Calibre L788.2 in a 40mm stainless steel case. Comparisons even within a brand are interesting, so today we are looking at an even newer model, released since Baselworld 2015 – what they have called their ‘Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph’.

It is not just the fact of another monopusher that is interesting, but (and there is one more that I will cover, in fact) there are design differences, and when we’re talking about high quality replica watches whose reception is often to do with the details (date/ no date for example), these are worth noting.

Coming in either matte black or white lacquered versions, I had the opportunity to see a non-working black model for a couple of days with thanks to Longines Australia, so I can only speak to this one. What I will say at the outset is that despite the core similarities of monopusher/ movement and to some extent, ‘look’ of them, to me there was a different ‘feel’ to this one when compared to the Pulsometer that went beyond just a dial design, but more on that later.

This new-old model is 41mm and both the black and white dial versions are in stainless steel. The bicompax dial layout with 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock is easy to read with the contrasting white numerals, markers and tachymeter scale. The hands on this one are rhodium-plated but for the white version, they are blued. To get an idea about Longines’ blued hands, just go to the Pulsometer post link here. This one comes on a black strap but the white lacquer dial model comes on a brown one. For those who are into ‘balance’ but do not like Longines’ preferences for adding date windows to modern re-issues, this one will hopefully bother you less, because it is discreet.

Inside is the automatic Longines column wheel Calibre L788.2, which is based on the ETA A08.L11. The movement has 27 jewels, 28,800VPH, and a power reserve of fifty-four hours. The column wheel, visible through the sapphire case back, has a blued finish.

Now, in terms of what I briefly alluded to at the beginning – this replica watch versus the Pulsometer. Press photos do not always reflect what something is like ‘in the metal’, as we all know, and much as I liked it in the photo, the physical fact of the Pulsometer didn’t seem to engage me as much as I had expected it to. This is kind of unusual, because the whole retro/ blued hands thing is right up my alley, but there was something in the realisation of the look that for me, and this is a very personal and thus subjective response, that was a little bright, and the ‘feel’ of the case in my hand was also less substantial than I’d expected.

In comparison, today’s monopusher, which I have now handled on two occasions, has the impression of heft that I was hoping for in the Pulsometer. Its old-school chronograph look is modern and not too ‘shiny’ in its overall feel, the rhodium-plated hands look elegant, it feels comfortable on the wrist, and I can see myself wearing it.

For those who are interested, the black dial is Reference L2.800.4.53.0-3 and the white dial, Reference L2.800.4.23.2-4. The Australian RRP for the black version is $3,950.

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Longines Replica

Replica Longines PulsometerChronograph

LonginesPulsometerChronograph2

During Baselworld 2015 we mentioned the new Pulsometer monopusher released by Longines. As noted at the time, this follows on from a 2013 Asthmometer-Pulsometer chronograph and is one of the latest in their heritage-inspired pieces.

To briefly recap the basics, this new model is 40mm, stainless steel, and through its open case back you can see the automatic Calibre L788.2 column wheel chronograph, which has a 54-hour power reserve. Whether or not you think the case back should have been solid is a matter of personal preference.

With thanks to high quality replica Longines Australia, who lent me two of this year’s new releases to have a play with (you will have to wait to see what the other one is), here are some live photos as a point of comparison to the official photos released during Baselworld.

For those unfamiliar with chronographs, the centre hand is the 60-second one, there is a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock.

The dial is lacquered white with the pulsometric scale in red. Arabic numerals are painted and the Breguet-style hands are blued; you will note that I found it a bit difficult to pick up this blue. One thing that immediately popped up with regards to differences between the actual replica watch and the photographs was that the dial is more white than in press photos. By this I mean that it is a ‘cleaner’ or sharper white.

Unfortunately this was not a functioning replica watch, so I was unable to test the monopusher, but on this prototype depressing the button required fairly forceful pushing.

Even though it wasn’t ‘working’ as such, I wore it for a day or two to get a feel for how it sits in terms of weight and size. It has a a decent heft and height to it, but it isn’t overly big, and the lugs sit comfortably on the wrist.

The size is worth mentioning. Although it is 40mm, it looks and feels closer to 37-38mm. Why? Well the case is, in the manner of vintage pieces from which this is inspired, rounded, so there are no chunky bezels or edges to add bulk. It sits in that middle ground where those who like this sort of vintage replica watch homage ‘look’ but dislike modern sizing might find it worth considering.

Australian RRP is $5,275.

For fans of monopushers, click here for a heritage collection 24-hour monopusher that was released by Longines last year.

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Longines Replica

Vintage Blues : the Longines Conquest Munich1972

LonginesMunichOlympics11

It is impossible to write about anything involving the 1972 Munich Olympics without acknowledgement of the events that not only dwarfed them, but which have also proven to be the dominant enduring memory from them. What was meant to be ‘The Happy Games’ turned out to be far from what eventuated, with the deaths of eleven Israeli team members at the hands of of Black September guerillas, of whom five also died, during an 18-hour hostage standoff.

For those who associate the Olympics with Omega, there was a time when this relationship was less clear cut, with Longines challenging Omega’s dominance several times. Luxury Replica Longines were co-timekeepers of the Munich Olympics, along with German brand Junghans, although the latter seems to have faded away from popular consciousness as an Olympics replica watch brand.

The replica watch that Longines produced to celebrate the Munich games was a manual-wind monopusher chronograph that was released with a blue, navy or silver dial. The blue and vibrant orange seconds hand on this model are particularly evocative of a replica watch from the 1970s. The only Olympics reference is discreetly on the caseback.

As mentioned, this is a monopusher chronograph. Inside is the Longines Calibre 334, which is a base Valjoux 236. The 236 is derived from the Valjoux Calibre 23 column wheel chronograph, which was the successor to the Valjoux 22, a movement that was in use from 1914 to 1974.

Going by the name of the Conquest XX Munich Olympic Games (Ref. 8614 for those who are interested), this 36mm x 42mm stainless steel replica watch has a chunky 1970s aesthetic to the case and uses plexi atop. You may notice that this exemplar still has both its original box and original tags, attached – it is a rather rare new old stock model, and with the desirable red, white, and blue Olympic logo tag attached, as well as the factory sticker still on the caseback.

In this condition and with the tags all still present and attached, I suspect that this is a replica watch that most would be torn about wearing. I confess that were it mine, I would be reluctant to wear it anywhere other than at home.

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Longines Replica

HANDS-ON : Replica Longines HeritageDiver

LonginesHeritageDiver16

This year Longines has added to its well-regarded modern ‘heritage’ models with pieces such as the Heritage 1935 and the Heritage Collection 24-Hour Single Pusher Chronograph. Today we look at the Heritage Diver, another 2014 addition to the replica Longines Heritage Collection.

Available in time-only and chronograph models, these are modern versions of 1970s models with those chunky quintessentially 1970s cases that are not for those looking for a more ‘delicate’ diver. If you want a diver erring on the more elegant side of the spectrum, the Longines Legend Diver is probably going to be more your thing.

Both of these new pieces use movements based on the ETA 2824-2. In the case of the chronograph it is called the Calibre L651.3 and in the case of the time-only piece, Calibre L633.5. Their cases are identical, sized at 43mm and water resistant to 300m, and with an attractive diving themed caseback.

The black dials are satin-finished with red accents used in a myriad of ways and the chronograph has a nicely utilitarian legible dial. Both, naturally, have Super-LumiNovad hands and markers, a lume update on their predecessors. The chronograph has an inner rotating bezel that is operated by the crown at 10 o’clock. I know that some prefer that the background of a date window match the colour of the dial, but in this instance I think that the white background with black text provides balance to the dial’s design.

Of the three ‘heritage’ models for 2014 from Longines that Horologium has covered this year, this is the one that is my favourite, but that’s probably because I have a soft spot for those chunky 1970s divers’ replica watch cases.