Longines, whats the story

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

I think of Longines more of in the league of Omega rather than Oris.
Not quite as popular for whatever reason.

1. Bond never wore one
2. None went to the moon
3. It hasn't become a standard bearer for modern mechanical, waterproofing, and antimagnetic innovation

[PBJ1925]

It's a solid brand with a history to support. I always viewed Longines as the gateway into luxury brands along with Oris.

[DJ2020]

Originally Posted by dannyp

1. Bond never wore one
2. None went to the moon
3. It hasn't become a standard bearer for modern mechanical, waterproofing, and antimagnetic innovation

L888.5 has silicon hair spring now, they have been in the water proof business for the military since 1942 ( Royal navy frog men) and the commercially available Nautilus in 1958.
They have been at this a long time, longer than most.

[Mendota]

Great thread. I've never looked at Longines before but they were recommended after briefly looking at a Bell & Ross GMT. They sure have a deep history and the Zulu Time looks like a great watch with a lot of value for the price you pay. Some of their other lines also look great.Screenshot_20220424-230500_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220424-213331_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220424-174439_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220424-213543_Chrome.jpg

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Andad]

I still have my 1984 Longines Conquest VHP.

33mm and tiny by todays ‘standards’.

Still keeps excellent time.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by dannyp

1. Bond never wore one
2. None went to the moon
3. It hasn't become a standard bearer for modern mechanical, waterproofing, and antimagnetic innovation

Longines was the first watch to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, (Lindbergh}.
Which at the time was as big of accomplishment, and celebrated as much as going to the moon.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by dannyp

1. Bond never wore one
2. None went to the moon
3. It hasn't become a standard bearer for modern mechanical, waterproofing, and antimagnetic innovation

Perhaps not in its mechanical form but my quartz VHP set a high standard and I wore it as a beater for many years as can be seen by the wear.

It has never been opened an is still precise.

Introduced in 1984, the original Conquest V.H.P. (Very High Precision) wowed horologists with +/- 10 seconds per year accuracy.

[DJ2020]

Longines has quietly increased there quality of there movements lately. The HydroConquest are coming currently with the L888.5 movement. A very precise and highly accurate movement. Also 5 year warranty. There fit and finish is very good. Hard to believe they are priced as low as they are.

I own several and you can see the Omega in them. They are keeping time with watches 10x's there cost. I would keep a eye on them. I would expect a price increase in the up coming years.

They also sell over 2 Million watches a year. The oldest registered trade mark is still going very strong. They have heritage, innovation with exclusive movements through out there existence, old and new styles, excellent customer service and very reasonable service cost. Longines offers a whole lot for what there asking for there watches.

[enjoythemusic]

^^^^ this. Great post DJ2020!

[PhilLynott]

Been interested in them for a few years but never pulled the trigger. I tried buying one when in Switzerland as I really wanted to get a watch while there. Unfortunately they weren't flexible on price and the same models were going for $1,500 less anywhere you looked online so I bought an Omega instead.

May have to revisit soon.

[Aldwyn]

I have actually been paying more attention to Longines lately. Perhaps they dont have the fame or prestige of Rolex or Omega, but, its a quality watch for a great price.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Longines was the first watch to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, (Lindbergh}.
Which at the time was as big of accomplishment, and celebrated as much as going to the moon.

Alcock and Brown flew across the Atlantic several years before Lindbergh's solo flight and were likely both wearing other brands, I would think. Both men's watches are mentioned briefly here, but not by name . . .

www.aviation-history.com/airmen/alcock.htm

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by dannyp

1. Bond never wore one
2. None went to the moon
3. It hasn't become a standard bearer for modern mechanical, waterproofing, and antimagnetic innovation

Swatch Group marketing.

I had a vintage watch collector’s book that reviewed all of the great Swiss watch brands from pre-quartz era. My memory may be hazy, but I think that Longines was very much a well-respected brand that it was the official timekeeping clock of the various early Olympic Games. Post-Quartz Crisis and Swatch Group, the corporate decision was to place Omega above Longines in its lineup.

The book had a photo of a vintage Longines Weems aviation/navigation watch. That was quite the watch, with its rotating bezel.