Introducing the Longines Master Collection 190th Anniversary
Longines, which celebrates its 190th anniversary this year, has just gifted us with a trio of commemorative watches that are now part of its Master Collection.
This trio is present in different types of material, where we have a series production made in stainless steel, and two limited editions of 190 pieces each made in yellow gold and rose gold.
Its design with classic and elegant lines reminds us of the distant Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 96 from the 1940s, which perfectly matches the sober dials where the engraved Breguet numerals and the two discreet calligraphy-style inscriptions fit perfectly.
The watches fit a 40mm diameter by 9.35mm thick case, a smooth bezel and feature a polished finish, sapphire crystal on the front and on the case back, a fluted crown engraved with the brand logo and 30 meters of water resistance.
On the uncomplicated dials with Arabic numerals, we can also find an angled inner ring with a dotted scale, leaf hands and a central seconds hand. Each variant is presented with different details, a sandblasted silver dial and blue hands in the stainless steel variant, a brushed grey dial and gilt hands in the yellow gold version and a grained anthracite dial and pink gold hands in the rose gold edition.
Inside operates the Caliber L888.5 automatic movement based on the ETA A31.L11, which comes with a silicon balance spring, operating at 25,200 Vph and offers up to 72 hours of power reserve.
All watches come with an anthracite alligator leather strap and can be purchased from the brand’s official boutiques or authorized retailers at prices of €2,330 for the stainless steel variant and €11,730 for the gold editions.
Our Opinion
We couldn’t think of another model that fits so well to mark this important historic milestone for Longines.
We liked all the variants, but the two that we liked the most were undoubtedly the stainless steel and the rose gold variants.
About what we liked least, the size of the case at 40mm obviously. It seems to us out of reality in the current market trend, and while some would risk betting on a more moderate size between the 37 and 38mm, I would venture to say that 34 or 36mm would work perfectly.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Longines
Model: Master Collection 190th Anniversary
Reference: L2.793.4.73.2 (Stainless steel), L2.793.6.73.2 (rose gold), L2.793.8.73.2 (yellow gold)
Dial: Sandblasted silver dial (stainless steel), grained anthracite (rose gold), brushed grey (yellow gold)
Lume: No
Case Material: Stainless steel, rose gold, yellow gold
Case Dimensions: 40 mm Diameter, 9.35 mm thick
Crystal: Sapphire
Case Back: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 30 Meters
Strap: Anthracite alligator leather strap
Caliber: L888.5
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 vph
Jewels: 21
Power Reserve: 72 Hours
Price: € 2,330 (stainless steel), € 11,730 (rose and yellow gold)
Limited Edition: Yes, for rose and yellow gold variants, 190 pieces for each
