All of the brands under the Swatch Group boast highly competitive products. Of the 18 brands, Longines is particularly strong in this regard. We explore the appeal of this brand through two models with beautiful blue dials.
This three-hand model allows you to fully appreciate the beautiful blue satin dial. The dial design is simplified by placing a pointer-style calendar around the moon phase at 6 o'clock. The bracelet is also of excellent quality. Automatic (Cal. L899.2). 21 jewels. 25,200 vph. Power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 40mm, thickness 11.1mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 306,900 yen (tax included).
(Right) Longines Master Collection L2.673.4.92.0
The calendar display combines a disc display of the month and day of the week, a pointer date, and a moon phase and chronograph. The subdial at 9 o'clock features a small second and a 24-hour counter. Automatic winding (Cal. L687.2). 27 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 66 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 40mm, thickness 14.30mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 419,100 yen (tax included).
Text by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2022 issue of Kronos Japan]
Highly refined mid-range watch "Longines Master Collection"
The Swatch Group not only owns watch brands and ébauche makers, but also numerous watch parts manufacturing and assembly companies for dials, hands, cases, escapements, etc. The reason why the products of its subsidiaries, especially those in the mid-range, are all so incredibly competitive is because the group can stably and cheaply procure watch manufacturing parts within the group.
Among the group's mid-range brands, Longines is particularly well-suited to reflecting this benefit in its products. You can see this clearly by picking up the Longines Master Collection.
The first is the movement. Both the three-hand model and the chronograph are equipped with ETA, which is part of the same group, but they are differentiated as exclusive calibers made exclusively for Longines. Specifically, they use ETA's highest grade "chronometer" as the base, with additional finishing touches such as circular graining and Côtes de Genève. The chronograph is so elaborate that the cam controlling the mechanism has been replaced with a column wheel.
The exterior is also outstanding for a watch in this price range. The surfaces, including not only the case sides but also the bezel, are uniformly polished and free of distortion. And the blue dial is beautiful. The radial sunray pattern is achieved by applying two types of lacquer, blue and clear, without obscuring the delicate hairlines that are pre-engraved on the dial. Normally, lacquer becomes flat when applied too thickly, making it difficult to achieve a beautiful sunray pattern. The finish is truly worthy of a flagship collection. It is difficult to find a mid-range watch with such quality in both the movement and exterior.
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