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.