Why This Budget Longines Timepiece Is Stirring Up Controversy 

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I didn't even realise it was supposed to look old/patinated, I just thought it was a style choice to make a dial with a grainy texture, and in that frame of mind I really like it. To me it's just a nice dial texture, I couldn't care less what the intention behind it was. Death of the author and all that.

I actually love the simple Longines watches in this line. This is a watch I could daily wear without having to freak out about it.

I own Patek, Lange MB&F. but Longines is My favorite. So much history, so many beautiful watches, it should be way above Omega in the Swatch Groupes ranks. As for this watch I totally like it as well as the sector dial model. Great video as always!

I like it. The problem with shabby chic furniture is so much is unnatural with the distressing. Scratches and wear are in places where it wouldn't occur over time. I feel the dial here looks natural. This is what I'd expect a vintage dial to look like. However, while I feel they did a good job, I'd rather a clean dial. That being said I wouldn't pass up a great deal on this watch.

I know it’s not for everyone but I really like the watch and the dial. Stowa makes almost exactly the same watch but with a plain white dial and to me it looks too stark and a bit off. The warmth of the cream dial and the faux-patina with the blued hands make the watch for me. Personal preference but if you look at it as a form of dial finishing I think it really works. And, if that doesn’t work for you at least Longines has a the history to back it up?

My opinion? It’s a thing of beauty and deserving of respect for what it is - there’s no way I could justify owning a problematic vintage watch over say 50 years old - this is the perfect companion for the equally gorgeous Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

A video about Longines as a brand and its new watches like Hydroconquest would be GREAT! Longines deserves a lot of respect and recognition

In the case of any faux aging, I think it’s best to check your rules or principles at the door and just look at the watch. Do you like it or not? Once you’ve decided, you can work backwards and decide if all the other details including the movement and the manufacturing process fit your preferences. While some may see this watch as regressive, I see it as looking ahead to an era where aged dials are not going to be as common due to the use of modern materials that resist aging and patina. The only ways to achieve this look will be to build it into the watch from the start or to buy a potentially unreliable vintage piece. Personally, my gut reaction is this is an attractive piece from an excellent brand with great historical significance. I’d be happy to wear it.

Like everything, it’s a matter of personal taste and as the man himself said, it gives us something to talk about. I think these look great snd Longines as a brand are pretty much unmatched for what they offer at the price they do. More please! 👍

I have one, and the dots, to my ageing eyes, are basically invisible. In any event, it doesn't bother me. I think of it as each watch having its own unique artwork. It is easy to read, has a nice clear dial, and has an easy to use crown. That's why I bought it.

There's nothing "cheap" about this watch.

It haven’t left my wrist for two years. I used to collect watches but since buying this I’m a OWG. PS. fauxtina is a subjective term. Some just consider it part of the design.

Recently got an Omega SM300M, so I'm firmly in the fauxtina camp. Love old classic watches, but no way would I want to own one, so a retro reissue is perfect for me. Cheers 👍👍

When it's done right and when the use of fauxtina is somehow warranted, I have nothing against it. What I don't like is when it's overdone (the Laco Erbstück series comes to mind) or when it's somewhat mismatched. Like on the current Bond Seamaster that mixes modern materials and design-cues with fauxtina elements. This Longines looks absolutely fine to me. And given its size, "restraint" WRT the application of fauxtina and the simplicity of its design, I guess most people who see it on your wrist wouldn't be able to spot the fauxtina dial, anyway.

I'd choose the Longines Heritage Military Marine Nationale over this one.

I have the original version of this watch made by Omega (Omega CK2292). This watch is beautiful. I can see why some dislike it... but it's still a beautiful piece. The original is far too valuable and fragile to wear at all times. This is a great way to get the look and feel of that old watch without worrying about destroying a piece of history. This is a great watch and tribute.

I think it looks sick. you get the vintage look without having to deal with the difficulty to get and take care of.

If it was me giving a vintage vibe to this watch, I would've "aged" te patina of the hands too, and maybe used an acrylic domed cover for completing the experience. But then again, being a Longines longtime fan myself, no complaints. Fine review as always.

Longines: Adds fake patina Laco Erbstück: Hold my beer 😅

The new column wheel chronographs look amazing at the price point and Longines has such a storied history that it is a genuine bargain

Gut reaction: I think it's pretty. The dial reminds me of paper. I've seen it in person and I feels like Longines had some fun with lore.

Seen this watch first hand today while shopping for a tissot. Absolutely gorgeous watch in person. Pretty sure I'll be adding it to my collection

Brand-new jeans: $40 Pre-ripped, "distressed" jeans: $140

We truly are lucky enough that the industry is alive and healthy enough to offer the variety we see today.

I like it. If “neoclassical” can be a classy architectural style, then “neovintage” can be a classy watch design.

Love this watch! To me, living by the ocean, the dial texture looks more like sand: the grains are there in mostly lighter tan, complete with a few darker grains. The blued hands only add to this beach feel...

Longines makes such a great comeback with their retro line. Just look at the Conquest Heritage Chrono. But I am not so much an fan of faux patina.

That blueing on the hands against the cream "patinated" dial is beautiful. I love this watch as it is.

I love Longines and their designs! But they need to quit a few things ASAP: 1) 3 ATM 2) 19mm lug width. There is probably more to critize but these two things are constantly annoying me when considering buying a watch from them!

I like it. I collect and restore old fishing reels and very much enjoy using them. As for watches they are beyond my skill level to restore. I can't wait to get mine it will be a perfect match to wear when fishing with one of my old favorite fishing reels and bamboo or fiberglass rods from the pre wars era.

My initial reaction to this deliberate aging style is: Curiosity. How is it executed? Does it suit the piece? Would the 'faux-tina' or 'old radium' look enhance my enjoyment of the watch or would it detract? It's the same as with any styling choice. Would I like more the watch in a bright colorway or is a guilt (gold on black) style more suitable? Likely for many, this choice of a deliberately 'aged' time piece is akin to modern bronze watches: Why would anyone choose to purchase a watch that WILL oxidize and possibly turn your wrist green? Personally, I don't know why one would want a visibly detreating watch case... but I still bought one. And if given the option, I'd buy this beauty, too.

“Pleasing attraction”; yes. Sorry folks, but this is yet again another example of Longines at its best, providing a very fine watch from within its Heritage collection steeped in great quality and looks. I applaud the intentional faux aging on the dial. See this piece in person, and be wowed.

People who openly have a problem with fake patina/wear marks, such as in watches, cars, guitars, are people who think they are entitled to dictate how the world runs. They are self-righteous people, frustrated because they are overly zealous about such an insignificant thing, that they can't stand the thought of someone being happy with simply imitating that thing. It's not passing it off as something it's not, no one is selling a new watch as vintage, it's just giving it a look and a feel, it's quite easy to understand honestly, and anyone who enjoys it needs to be able to do so freely.

This covertly luxurious watch looks great. I don't mind the intentionally vintage look. I'm a fan of Longines; I own a Master Collection Moon Phase, and I would buy this one in a heartbeat.

05:20 You can hear Andrew's inner Sir Humphrey coming out.

Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it.

I have mine on a beads of rice and I think it looks absolutely fantastic. Admittedly, a BOR was never a pilot's choice, as far as I know, but hey, it's my watch and therefore I have the right... ..To anyone on the fence I would say this: the vanilla dial is incredibly versatile and can cover most occasions. This is a heritage watch and hence no more of a "lie" than any other vintage watch that is reimagined for the 21st century!

I like it. The hands are superb. The faux patina looks the part on this watch. A simple clutter free dial, enhanced by the right shade leather strap.

Do they also come with pre-scratched cases? I think it's an attractive watch, I would see this patina as a designer choice rather than trying to emulate the worn off look.

I think the watch has beautiful proportions and the blued hands on the creme white dial look amazing, no matter if its supposed to suggest age or not, but the dark spots kind of bother me

Beautiful! I like that it’s not too intense, just a nice touch.

As I generally wear vintage watches (currently wearing a 1947 Omega that I’ve just bought) I love it but as I’d like it smaller, maybe 36mm and to have more water resistance as a new “vintage” watch which is what I get with my Smiths that I wear when I don’t want to risk a genuine vintage watch. I do wear modern larger watches but if it looks old it should be a classic size.

Beautiful watch. Cream dial, black numbers, blue hands, diamond crown. Steel casr. The cream dial will make this a hot seller. When you have a white dial next to a cream one, the creamy dial sells out first. Keep the patina.

I think it makes for a good conversation starter and it makes each one unique...

I very much like the watch and don't mind the brown speckling to mimic age. The slightly larger size is great for those of us who don't always wear our reading glasses. On the other hand not sure about the engraving on the case back. Not a deal breaker and to be fair it clearly says HERITAGE. Overall I like homage watches but in many cases the lume is overdone. I would prefer a middle ground on that.

It may not have made it onto my watch 'watch list' yet but a quite like it. Super readable and a clean dial, well apart from the mould spots. I like the dial colour and texture, the blued hands are the icing on the Danish Blue cheese dial. I would happily wear this on my wrist with my only concern that in a few months the dial may look like a cotton wool plantation from the growing mould inside. It could be interesting for the poor service staff in hazmat suites if the watch gets a tad, well you know ripe.

I love it. Love the blue hands. Off white dial! Sweet!

I get the whole "fauxtina" thing. It is very subjective and I think this Longines looks beautiful like that. It's more of a style than trying to look old. In regards of the luminous paint using the cream color can add some good contrast to the dial and add cohesion to the piece rather than just trying to look patinated

Looks great, I thought it was just a nice, sand inspired dial. Seiko comes up with crazy dials why can’t Longines do the same.

Great looking watch! Longines is "killing" it with Heritage line!

I love this, it looks so beautiful to me. I'm really considering getting one.

The "fauxtina-spots" on the dial are a bit daft and silly, but I imagine you don't see them very clearly with the naked eye. Other than that the watch looks great. The beige dial and blue hands look fantastic. It should have been a manual and not an automatic, though.

its one of those watch that went back to the basic fundamentals of watch making, to tell time. i like of cream off white streamline and clean dial, the faux patina adds more character to the watch. love it.

Not a fan of this watch, BUT, at least the “detritus” pattern isn’t a mirror image on all pieces.

I have a 1964 yellow Gold Manuel wind Longines on a brown Alligator strap and a Conquest 41mm smooth bezel…love both of them…I tend to not like a faux aged watch

Thanks for your time, pretty sharp watch

Love this watch.

ohhh the old and familiar type of video that Whathfinder has me used to, I thought I would never see you again. Just the watch, the handman and good shots, and obviously a weekend off. Like old times.

Waiting for Longines to introduce in-house movements to raise to it's former glory. Omega & Longines VS Rolex & Tudor can be way more interesting that way.

...as for the date: no question that the dial is beautifully clean without the window. But I personally really like having access to date information. Some watches can easily accommodate a central date hand (like those sickle-ended indicators) and others a sub-dial. I think that would break up the "beach" expanse of this particular dial. I'm not saying this would be perfect for this watch, but generally, I'd like to see makers explore new ways to include the date in a well-integrated manner. By extension example, Grand Seiko just moved their Spring Drive power reserve to the back for the Omiwatari. And many watches have see-through backs. Maybe having date on the back might work, letting you orient to today's date (e.g. when on vacation, etc) when you put on your watch in the morning? It would be fun to see the innovation results of new ideas to present date information unobtrusively.

The gut reaction was indifference! If given the choice I would buy the vintage piece because I happen to be in a vintage hunting mood recently.

Comment at 4:15 - pretty blue hands, nice sandy dial, pleasantly simple aesthetic. I guess those with a knowledge of its lineage might object. I have none, so just find it a good-looking watch.

I like patinated dial. But,,...the bluing on the hands looks chemically done. Lacks the richness of heated in oil bluing. I might be wrong.....though..

Where is a good place to browse preowned watches?

Hi . Thanks for your short and precise comments. Would you mind to give us a word on Rolex 8171 please and another on the same maker model so called bubble back? thanks in advance,Daniel

I like this watch for the same reasons I like Grand Seiko: They're making the dial into a canvas worth looking at on its own. Although, this particular look might work best with a certain outfit. I'm no style expert, but I'm getting a beach vibe with a linen shirt and loafers.

Don’t really like the fake aging, but I’d still get one because I think it’s a good looking watch.

Only way I can consider this weathered look because the patina is unique for each piece, (similar to the Oris Aquis Upcycle), anything on the lines of the GS White Birch, and many including me wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

The only thing missing on this watch is an exhibition case back, showing a well finished modern calibre - a perfect anachronism and a fitting compliment to this amazing watch!

Its a bit like my Hamilton field watch (which I like). I hear the same gripes about the faux patina on the lume on that watch.

Thank you for producing this video. If you could leave the constant begging for subscriptions out, I would be most grateful. The concept of "shabby chic" is at the centre of the discussion when it comes to this watch. "Shabby chic" is fake: new things made to look old. I have always tried to buy quality, but at times this has been extremely difficult. Most products that have been produced in the last 50 years were just crap: clothes, cars, watches, phones, computers, furniture and on and on. "Shabby chic" caters to the idea that some things can stand the test of time and still look beautiful with what is called "patina". Well, if these items had been produced in a better way, they would still be around and show real patina. Sadly, they were not and are not. I totally understand that people buy these "shabby chic" products: all of their life was spent buying trash, and it eventually landed there. Still, you can buy really cool, reliable, beautiful and genuine objects from the past. Why spend money - and this Longines is dear - on fakes?

A big part of the beauty of real patina is that it shows continuous historic layers of use and exposure to the world. The disgust many people feel towards fauxtina may come not only from the borrowed glory these pieces convey. It also roots in a semi-conscious confusion about the state of, well, society: for the first time in history the world can no longer cherish the new things because (maybe) it's got so little to offer that could age as gracefully as these historic references. The watch industry with its heavy reliance on reissues and artificial ageing is just the tip of the iceberg.

I don’t mind if old watches are made look newer or if old parts are used in newer watches. What’s important is that the manufacturer explicitly states it AND that it’s not very falsifiable.

I’m just glad they kept the date window away from it:)

There was an even more extreme example of this recently in the Seiko Streetfighter V, where the scratches, exactly the same on each, represent "the philosophy of Ryu, who dedicates himself to relentless training, aiming to become a "true fighter."

Regarding faux patina, I'm firmly in Group 3.

Same thing happened with guitars when Fender came out with their relic guitars. Back then everyone was asking who would buy one, now people pay a premium for them. I think this looks great personally.

Wish it had a bit of lume somewhere, but looks fantastic

I really love this watch. I will definitely buy it before Christmas. Thanks for a great review. 👏

They've been doing this to guitars, Gibson first then Fender. Both custom shop departments, both sell more than the new looking variants. Same reactions, both of love and hate.

Honestly I feel atracted to it, maybe is because I like small size watches... maybe because I have a pair of vintage omega's that aren't from big "pedigri" at all, one from 1952 and the other from 1934, like you said, it's a matter of taste, in the end, if possible, it will be pleasand to see two togheter, to find out if the dials are unique or mass series production.

I am glad this watch exists, and I have no opinion of someone else who wears it. The trouble is whether I would wear it. I like the way it looks but I lean away from actually wanting to wear it because part of me believes that a patina is something earned through faithfulness to a single product. I just don’t know if that sentiment should get in the way of enjoying a pretty watch.

As I get more experiences with different watches I’ve come to enjoy fauxtina sometimes. I like it here, and on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. Not a fan the way IWC uses it for some reason.

I bought an Omega 6B/159 1942 recently. One of the worst things about this re-creation is the fact that the Longines name on the dial is visibly a sticker. Are the hands genuine blued steel, or painted blue? I fear the latter.

i love it.....i would own one,and whats wrong with the original manufacturer paying homage to one of its own early models.

I dont mind the fauxtina dial. Beats the hell out of anything skeletonised imo. The lack of lume, however, makes it a "never in a month of Sundays" for me though.

I have a Longines Flagship that I'm having a real problem taking off so I can wear one of my others in my collection. It's a dress watch and I'm retired with no need for a dress watch. But I wear it with sweats and a tee shirt and I really don't care what people think about the combination. I love my Longines.

Artificial aging bothers me usually, especially when they take it too far like on guitars. But on this watch, it's really quite subtle and doesn't look anything like any of my old dials, so I didn't even realise they were trying to make it look old.

Watch is both an instrument of measuring time and an art piece. That’s what i lke about them, and love the look of this piece from Longines

BTW, the vintage patina I do not find unattractive, though I doubt I'd buy it for myself. But I find it attractive in design.

I like it, but not for $3200. It has a clean design language that isn't present in some of their sports watches, and that's very welcome. The minute hand should be slightly more round IMO. I don't think this watch screams Longines. Could you guess it without the text on the dial or the caseback? I suspect not. I like the understated aesthetic but it lacks something emblematic of Longines. Look at the Silver Arrow and you will understand my meaning - and also note the price.

I really miss the old style of Watchfinder 😢 The script & the cinematography were brilliant.

Like it , don’t mind the dots looks good .

It would be nice to see a whole video on their heritage collection

Laco is doing the same with the Erbstück editions of its Flieger watches... I think they look great.

I see it as a beautiful homage to a classic but ultimately newer and likely, more reliable. However, maybe they should have just reproduced the original as it was new.

Warm feeling of pleasing attraction. Love this watch long before your video.

Longines are really killing it with their latest releases, whats not to like?

How about reviewing the Longines Spirit titanium.....?