I still stand by this as one of the greatest value watches on the market. From a purely mechanical standpoint, you get an automatic chronograph, with triple date, moonphase and blued steel hands and an excellent push button deployment attached to an alligator strap. The Chrono is column wheel, and the movement is genuinely well decorated for the money. The fact they also cram this into a very attractive case with some gorgeous finishing on the face, beggars belief. Frankly this watch doesnt cost enough for what it offers. I wanted one for years and finally gave in and got one. Have never regreted. I also think the 40mm one if the model of choice, almost regardless of wrist size. It makes for a classier package.
Follow up... its a strange list of negatives: 1) of course the lug needs to be smaller, the case is smaller, it maintains visual proportion and suits the smaller wrists of those likely to buy it. 2) ditto on the strap size. 22 looks quite chunky and would look strange on a watch of 40mm case size, meanwhile 18mm would have looked a bit weedy. The strap is proportionate to the case. 3) the case finishing is in keeping with the classic looks of the watch. The vintage it attempts to emulate would also not have had multiple finishes all over the case. In fact for me, the polished finishing was a plus in what i consider to be quite a dressy watch. 4) its usually on my wrist, so pared down movement decoration hardly seems relevant at this price level. IMHO it's better decorated than i'd have expected for the money.
I tried it few weeks ago and maybe I'd buy someday. For what this watch gives, the price is not that much as you said. I loved more the leather strap version compared to the stainless steel one
I first saw this watch in a boutique catalogue 12 years ago and I was in awe of it! I decided to purchase one for my 40th birthday. When I first saw it in person, I was completely blown away by it! I bought it with the metal bracelet. That was 12 years ago and to date I am still in awe of it every time I put it on!!! That speaks volumes for this piece, whereas some watch fanciers are always juggling their favorite piece as their collection expands, not so for me. A truly remarkable piece. It sits in the watch case next to my Rolex 2 tone datejust with champagne dial and diamond markers and it is still my favorite!!!! Guess it was love at first sight! Thank you Longines for introducing me into loving and appreciating fine watches. Thank you.
That is a gorgeous watch; the texture on the dial adds so much interest. I wish that Longines was still an independent watch company, but I'm glad they still exist.
This is a beautiful watch. It's been about one full year since I've owned it and I still love it as much as the first day I received it. Thank you for the great video Urban Gentry. I find myself watching it once a quarter. :)
I loved the review. I have been owning the 40 mm with steel bracelet for the past 5 years & it still amazes me as much as it was then... I am a fan of your reviews & thanks for the good work. Best wishes.
You simply can't beat the Longines Heritage line at the price point. Their new Annual Calendar and Moonphase are absolutely stunning again. My three-watch collection right now consist of Rolex, Tudor, and Longines; my next two watches will likely be Longines. This is an absolutely lovely watch - the only thing I would change is I would have configured the subdials in a 3,6,9 layout. I can't help but think of how symmetrical it would have looked and even more appealing to the eye.
@@neilignacio1302 its okay but the timer is off center now, the leather bracelet have alot of cracks now and the power reserve is less than 36 hours. I paid 2500 usd at that time. For the complication it have it is a bargain but the quality turns me off.
@@mikeh.8711 thanks bro! Ive been really thinking if buying one. Do you mean the chronograph hands is not in dead center? Will you still buy it now knowing what you know about thecwatch. Appreciate your response my friend. Cheers 🍻
Hey TGV, I had been lusting after thing watch since 2008 and finally summed up the courage to pick it up in 2012. Great piece and if i had one word to describe it " horological muscle" . There are barely any reviews on this watch and I am so glad now a prestigious channel as UG has covered it. Great first watch and my first love. Cheers mate and keep 'em coming!
@@neilignacio1302 it's just fab... It's classic appeal is timeless and the bankers annual calendar layout is comming back envouge. Oris, Frederic Constantine even the some Mont blancs have a similar layout. It keeps time perfectly. Definitely a great purchase. In their latest line up my money is on the blue dial Sprit collection chrono, do check it out. Cheers mate!
Guys, a few words about this watch which may even increase the positives: + In 42mm version recently they modified this movement to add COLUMN WHEEL. Which for some may bring this movement to higher level. The wheel is BLUED which adds a lot to the looks, this compensates for lack of blued screws. + In 42mm case this watch looks flatter and more proportional. + After few months of using this watch I can say that it is easy to read even with so many hands and numbers.
A gorgeous watch. Longines heritage, style, quality and value for money. I've had mine 10 months, I wear it on a blue leather strap from the spirit collection, it goes so well with the blued hands. Everytime I open the box to look at it I think, wow! What more can you ask for. You won't be disappointed. Happy horology.
Wow you said "you may watch this in the future, 5 years from now" ..... I'm literally watching it 5 years later cause I'm interested in buying this watch!! Great review!!
It was great to go back and watch this again... I've been hooked on this watch ever since I first learned of it here. Still have it on my wish list. :)
I bought the 42mm with the blue dial, and I really love it, I have medium sized wrists ( 16,5 cm ) and it looks great. I find the dials easy to read, after a period of acclimatisation, and I don’t worry about the movement decorations ( or lack of ). Good value, with a feeling of being different to all the sporty models !
I love this Longines watch and have one with the blue alligator strap in my collection. It is of excellent and extremely high quality. It is of tremendous value for the price and a true classic. This watch would cost a fortune if it was one of the luxury watch brands. Thank you Longines for creating such a beautiful and elegant watch at an very affordable price.
A very worthy and classy grail, you are the second person to say so in fact. I hope you get it, I am sure you will love it. Thank you Amirul, Best regards, TGV
Happy to see you could get the video up and running without that availability problem! As I said before, their designs have something special, Longines knows how to design some great watches! Pure class!
I’m not watching this 5 years later but 7 years later!! I just bought one pre-owned! I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival! Most complicated watch for the money there is!
I know nothing about watches (literally NOTHING). But I stumbled upon this videoreview as I'm looking for a watch to give as a gift and wow.. you held me glued to the screen for the whole 24 minutes of it! Beautiful shots, just right tone of voice and no pretentious attitude even when you were referencing styles, complications etc. It's easy to become arrogant when you know so much about something, especially something so exclusive, but you come across as a person who just has a genuine passion for watches and just loves to talk about them. Great stuff!
I've had the watch for 6 months, I agree with all your comments. It was a birthday present and my kids chose this one over the quadruple retrograde L2.739.4.71.3 because of its looks.
Excellent review, I mean it's serious X rays review. I love Longines. I am European and Italian and I got tell you I have high regard for this brand. I watched one of your recent reviews that was about a Zenith but I cannot feel any connection to that brand, even if it offers a lot of history and heritage. Longines is still in my heart and I have always that feeling you have when you think something will go back to where it was. I really wish Longines could develop an entire in-house movement and get back that a little bit lost reputation it used to have. It's sad to say it but I miss the old Longines. If you take Omega and Rolex off the scene, to me there is not too much as for middle range around the watch world with so much heritage. I say it again to me the watch world misses Longines, the old Longines. Can you imagine a Longines GMT, totally in-house movement? Now I am dreaming. As usual high quality video and review!
Excellent review. Usually not the biggest fan of Longines these days but I had to get this watch in 42mm once I saw it on my wrist. It just looked like it belonged there. Am very happy with my purchase. Agree with your negatives but overall it is amazing value for money if you can get it with a nice discount.
This is BY FAR the BEST review video of anything I have ever seen. I am looking for a classic and elegant watch with a black leather strap. I looked at the Cartier Tank watch last night at Cartier but it underwhelmed me. Do you have any suggestions? I want understated but not.... basic. xoxo Wendy
Thank you so much Wendy. I love the Tank, but it is VERY understated. I bought one for my wife. It sounds like you want something with a bit more pizazz. May I be very rude and ask how much you are looking to spend? How about a JLC Reverso? Or a ladies Rolex Datejust in two tone with a nice lively dial colour to make it pop perhaps, happy hunting. Best regards, TGV
Great review Tristano! My father picked a Master collection power reserve some years ago and I'm able to wear it since he passed away. Love it with the guilloche dial and I bought a navy blue gator strap on it which goes very well with the blue hands. Emotional attachment off course but fits my collection perfectly. My dad had great taste. I get to think of him often, it is in constant rotation! Keep it up, ciao et saluti! Marco
Hi TGV, As you said - the dial is a bit overcrowded but nicely done. I like what Longines is doing with it's Heritage lineup. Especially the Flagship and the 1918 are my favourites. Best regards, Claus
I am in shock, 5 years ago I feel in love with this watch, today it’s on my wrist. An amazing wife will always surprised you in wonderful ways, but this is next level.
I have the blue sun ray dial - no hour numberals, applied indexes, applied logo, "silvered" hands, "silvered" borders to apertures/dials and it's amazing how different it looks to this even though it's essentially the same watch. Mine is much more modern, but with the colour combo it is even harder to read than this at least at first. Mine has a blue column wheel seen in rear display does this? One minus is that I think Longines cut corners with the anti-reflection mine has too much reflection but the shininess of the silver hardware makes up for it. Also, I must say 21mm straps are easier to find these days.
I’ve always enjoyed Longines. In High School I worked at Carl’s Diamond Brokerage and Longines was one of the fine quality watch lines we carried. My best friend’s Father Magnetized Watches although they were labeled “anti-magnetic”. I put him in a Longine and he wore it for years with no problem!! I Love Longine Chronographs! Matt’s is a beautiful example of Longine Quality and Craftsmanship!
Great review, TGV. I like it and would be proud to have it in my collection. The minuses you addressed are legitimate, but they likely make this piece more attainable to those of us of modest means.
You should try and review a longines hydroconquest, im watching this wearing a hydroconquest automatic non-chronograph in stainless-steel, blue and gold
A very good and honest review, i have been looking forward for this longines. may i add that i enjoy your videos and your tribute for genuine and exiting tool watches aswell.
Fantastic video! In fact, this inspired me to go a head and purchase a Longines! I bought the Hydroconquest automatic 39mm. I would Love to See A review of that some day! Super good work TGV!
Your channel helped me make a decision on my first automatic watch. It is a Seiko turtle reissue and I am very happy. I always look forward to your videos whenever they come out. Thank you TGV.
I really have to make to you my best compliments for this review. Not only Longines is full of style, but you also are the perfect "style man", beginning by entourage and classy objects that I apreciated in the video. Bravo!
Hey TGV. Ordered a blue 1521 today and I can't wait for it to arrive. I can say without any doubt that it was your content that influenced that purchase. Keep up the good work boss!
I think that the newest limited edition they have coming out with no date and a heritage look is going to be the best thing they've produced in years. Not a huge fan of the layout on this one but I love that dial texture. Great video as always T!
I want that watch. Absolutely amazing. Ignoring common perception, it's hard to find many watches this cool. Love the blues hands and textured dial. One day I'll start a 21mm strap company and become rich
Great review as always. Longines is a brand thats slowly on the way up again. Not a fan of their regular line but their Heritage and Avigator stuff is fantastic! Plus the Heritage 1945 that came out at Bezel this year is awesome. I myself am considering either the white dial chronograph mono pusher with column wheel or the 24Hrs "Swiss Air" model. Great bang for buck and awesome looks imo.
Awesome watch for the price and great review. TGV, it would be great to see accuracy measurements in all reviews. It is a review of a time keeping device afterall :-) Thanks for all the awesome content!
I've subscribed the moment I saw your first video. Your hobby, passion & love for watches has taken my interest in watches to another level. Great going! 👍🏼
I bought one of these watches. I wanted a less expensive full complication watch. I must say it's one of my favourites. for it's type a great value for money watch.
Awesome review. You nailed it. I have the Speemaster Mark 40 Triple Date that I bought 20 years ago. As a young person I could see the complications perfectly without glasses. Now I can't. Though I love the Longines, I know it would be unreadable for me. With a 21 mm band with you would be stuck buying Longines bands which I bet are $500. Lovely watch though.
well i must say i am veryvery glad they made it 21mm and nott 20..negative are the strapmanufacturers for not making 21 mm straps..regards..you have a nice channel..Rodrigo.
Please do a vid on current production watches that are in the 50s and 60s styles with domed crystals and sub 40mm! Such as the Hamilton Intra-matic, Glashutte Original Sixties, etc!
very beatiful piece. Grest review as always. I haven't understood to the caliber is a valjoux based one or if there is some complications added by longines.
I can certainly understand that but Longines have for the most part used printing on their dials. I think i would have preferred to see the winged hourglass logo applied instead to give the dial a more balanced look.
I agree with you, and if the logo could have been applied it would have been great But I think the dial is complicated enough, maybe it would make it less slick
I have the Sunray Blue dial with no numerals but applied indexes and it has a shiny applied logo. I love the blue and it contrasts nicely with the shiny moon phase and without large hour numerals it's a bit less cluttered than this version. I love these blue hands, but it would be impossible to tell time on my version haha
I owned this watch for about 6 months, but ended up selling it to pursue something higher up on my wish list. Its a beautiful watch, and would love to own it again.
Next week I am getting this Longines Master Collection Triple Date Chronograph Moonphase watch. looking forward to put it on my wrist for the first time. This is a good, balanced review.
Thank you for putting up a BIG *picture* of your 'watch of the day' when you mention it. So many other channels' watch checks just hold up their watch and don't even zoom in the camera. Like, how are we supposed to appreciate it??
Nice looking watch and I almost bought one. However, not mentioned in the review, is the (to me) superfluous 24 hr dial. I just don't see the value in that. Further, the teeny seconds hand is difficult to see. In fact, when I auditioned this piece at mu local AD, the sales guy thought there was no seconds hand at all - as did I. If anything, the size of the 24 hr and seconds should be reversed. I do agree with TGV on the lack of applied logo and numerals. The logo especially should have been applied. Longines has one of the coolest logos out there and they should be proud to display it on a watch better than just printing it.
I bought this watch on July, 8 because my Seiko moon phase quit moving the moon due to a broken spring. What a handsome watch this is! I bought the gold version which is several thousand dollars more, but my preference is gold. So far, I am very elated with my purchase. This Longines watch is a beautiful addition to my small collection which I will will to my grandson.
16:10 What a wise comment. Despite being a regular customer of the channel for years, I'm watching this video for the first time 5 years after its release. And now you can get the watch on the gray market for just over 2K.
Great watch, great review. You really displayed all of the features well. I almost purchased an Omega with the (7751) triple date movement last year. Now I am reconsidering. Thanks.
Great review TGV. I agree about the 21mm odd band and the few minor minuses, but this Watch is GORGEOUS with excellent complications. The Quadruple Retrograde also Amazing. I just purchased both, and very happy.
Great review TGV, as always :D I also bought a wach recently with 21mm lug width, and i wonder if a 20mm or a 22mm nato strap would fit better on that 21mm lug, because i couldnt find any 21mm strap on ebay.. maybe thats an idea for a video, trying different kinds and widths of straps on a 21mm watch :) Cheers!
Great review! Spot on with regards to the movement quality. I bought one of these when they were first released (the 42 mm didn't exist then). Later I realized that the L678 caliber beating inside is based on an elaboré grade 7751. Interestingly, the then available Omega Speedmaster Day Date (a.k.a. Mark 40 "Cosmos") which was cheaper than this Longines at that time, also housed a 7751 (modified Omega caliber 1151), but of a higher grade than elaboré. Omega used a 'top' grade of the 7751 which is the same as the chronometer version, except that it is never submitted to COSC. I think the L678 still carries an elaboré grade 7751 today....I wonder why they don't upgrade them to the 'top' grade - wouldn't cost all that more. While nothing wrong with the elaboré version movement, this watch is so beautiful and has such an amazing exhibition back, it could have offered a better movement grade to go with all of that...
@@mvhdsk1122 the 688.2 is a reworked version of a 7750 to include a column wheel chronograph with date. The 678 is a non-column wheel 7751 chronograph with full calender moonphase.
Thanks for the review. Nice to reference their historical link to horse racing in the intro. For me, the watch is too busy but what I like about it most are those lovely blued hands.
TGV, Very informative video! I have only had a few Longines on my wrist over the years and have always admired them. A friend has a Hydroconquest and it is indeed a quality, sturdy watch that is priced extremely well. It is one of those brands that I have always wanted to buy, yet another timepiece always bumps ahead in terms of priority. The complication in the watch you have reviewed is indeed the standard bearer for triple calendar, chronograph, moon phase timepieces. It is elegant, yet simple (in a sophisticated manner) all at the same time. The dial has a lot going on, yet it is easy to interpret and use. I am rather fond of the strap; what an elegant colour. I have always had a thing for vintage Longines of all styles. A simple annual calendar in 36mm with a black leather strap tickles my fancy. Maybe a future purchase, who knows! On another note, I received my new Seiko Turtle SRP773 on Thursday past and finally joined the #SeikoSaturday club as you will see on my instagram (nathanwbarnes). Thank you for all of your advice and recommendations on buying my first Seiko. Next purchase will be a SKX007J. Thanks for taking a moment to read my comment; yet another educational and entertaining video. Have a great weekend! Nathan
This is a very classy watch that loads many features into a beautiful and balanced package. I think the all polished and rounded edge case offsets the dial nicely. The Valjoux movement seems to be taken for granted lately but it performs to chronometer levels for many years between servicing without costing a fortune when that time comes. Thanks for the fantastic review.
It's been a while since I was this early to one of your videos, LOL. How are you, TGV? As always, great review. That Longines is stunning indeed, and full of complications too. Thank you very much! Best regards, Michele.
The Urban Gentry I'm very well indeed. I wanted to apologise since I've been very busy lately and often times I didn't have time to watch the videos as they came out, but none the less I've enjoyed them all! Best regards, Michele.
Love the review. I was in the fence about purchasing this watch and your in depth and informative review helped me decide. I got a great deal and wish there was a way for me to share a picture of the watch I got. Just picked it up today. Thanks mate.
Hi TGV. No issues at all with this video here in Australia. It came up and stayed up. Fair review, too, of this watch which I own and happen to like a lot. The crown is a tad small, and the dial is busy but for what I paid LNIB, it works for casual and even dressy at a push. Keep soldiering on!
I love this watch, I got it for under 5k au blue dial. I would love it more if it had Lume, and a bigger case, almost Navtimer big. I love your videos and the detail that you go to, to explain everything
Had this timepiece on the original leather alligator strap. Happened to be my first proper watch (got a very good deal). Wore out the leather and was very upset to find out a replacement was shy of £200. Fortunately, this then introduced me to after-market straps! Put this on a dark blue calf leather strap with white stitching. Looks amazing against the white dial and blued hands. This morning received a milanese strap from watchgecko. To my surprise it now looks very similar to the IWC Portofino Chronograph... This watch surprised me in its versatility.. great for the office and/or formal events. Great review 😉
Great review Tristano. I’ve liked the look of this watch for a long time as the design and the blued hands remind me of my late father’s pocketwatches. I have on old (1993) Seiko moonphase with blued hands and 3 separate sub dials including an adjustable 24-hour hand, so I have it set with the opposite time to you: main hands on GMT (UK), 24-hour hand 5 hours behind. IF this Longines 24-hour hand is just an indicator and does not adjust, I’m afraid that would put me off..?
Very nice review indeed, congrats, I was looking forward to it, this is one of my prospects I'm saving for, along with the Oris Artelier Complication moonphase, the steel one with blue hands and markings, I still haven't decided myself, but this sure helps. Thank you.
Loved the intro. I'd like to see more on Longines if possible, specifically the Legend Diver - I tried this piece on yesterday and it is awesome but quite big due to the lug to lug size. It would be nice to hear your thoughts on it! Keep up the good work. Best regards, Jojo
