Baselworld 2010: Longines
By Melvyn Teillol-Foo
[Apologies: Camera Failure Alert. Some press photos had to be used]
The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph
In 2009, Longines launched a watch fitted with an exclusive, self-winding chronograph movement with a column wheel. Since then, Longines has identified new uses for the calibre and proudly announced that they mandated and paid ETA to develop this brand-new exclusive movement. Under the name of The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph, these latest models represent the Longines history of sports timekeeping.
The L688.2 movement is a self-winding calibre with a diameter of 30 mm and a height of 7.90 mm. The column wheel was designed by ETA engineers to require only the finest touch to start and stop the mechanism and to reset the hands at zero. The blued steel column wheel is eye catching.
The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph (L2.742.4.76.2 / L2.742.8.76.x)
The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph uses traditional, elegant lines that are reminiscent of the timepieces from the 20th century. In a 39mm diameter stainless steel or rose gold case that houses the L688.2 calibre; the movement can be admired through the transparent sapphire back cover. With its dauphine-style, rose hands mounted on a silvered dial featuring 8 hour symbols, The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph also shows the date and has a small seconds at 9 o’clock, a dragging 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a dragging 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. The watch is on a dark brown alligator strap.
The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph (L2.733.4.72.x / L2.733.8.72.x)
The second model of The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph, confusingly has the same name but a different sleek style. The differences are the case and rhodium-plated hands on a silvered dial featuring 13 hour symbols.
The Longines Column-Wheel Sports Chronograph
Finally, the design of the third model focuses on the particular performance of the L688.2 in a more robust, sporty timepiece of 41 mm diameter stainless steel case with a screw-in, transparent back cover. This model – designed specifically for performance – has a steel or black or grey ceramic bezel that surrounds a silvered, black lacquered or brushed grey sunburst dial. It is available on a choice of bracelets: stainless steel or stainless steel with central links in black or grey ceramic, or on a rubber strap.
Longines PrimaLuna Collection
I can't show you the Longines PrimaLuna Thousand and One Nights with diamonds that light up the dial because my camera broke! It was THAT sparkling; seriously, here is a non-bling version.
The Longines PrimaLuna models in steel and rose gold are available in three sizes (23 mm, 26.50 mm and 30 mm) and house either a quartz movement or a self-winding mechanical movement.
I just looked at the mechanical version.
Longines Lindbergh’s Atlantic Voyage Watch
Longines is re-issuing this exceptional timepiece, known as the Longines Lindbergh’s Atlantic Voyage Watch, as a tribute to the historical feat achieved by this pioneer of the skies. This mechanical wrist chronograph has a diameter of 47.50 mm and a self-winding movement. Just like the original model, it has small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. The time and time measurements are displayed using hands of blued steel on a silvered dial with a white surround and the watch has a tachymeter for measuring speeds of up to 500 kph.
The model has a sapphire glass and a solid case back that protects a transparent back cover through which the workings of the movement can be admired. The watch is mounted on a genuine brown alligator strap. The new versions are in either steel or rose gold.
I used to have a re-issued WEEMS model from Longines but never wore it; so it eventually ran away from home.