In this article from my blog, Watch-Insider.com, I take a look at the Longines Heritage Diver watches, released last summer, which are re-issued versions of Longines watches for divers produced in the 1970s. Like the original models, these new Longines dive watches have a case diameter of 43 mm and some of the same distinctive dial details.
Longines was always a supplier of reliable wristwatches for adventures in the sky, on earth and under water. In the 1950s, Longines supplied measuring instruments for the bathyscaphe Trieste, which set a diving record in 1953. In addition to technical equipment, Longines also produced robust and reliable watches intended for use by keen amateur divers to explore the underwater world. Two such models, dating from the 1970s, have been taken as inspiration for the Longines Heritage Diver.
Available in two versions, one a three-hand and the other a chronograph, these new models boast a black, satin-finish dial that elegantly combines red highlights with details coated with Super-LumiNova. Moreover, both versions feature a bidirectional rotating inner flange. The caseback, crown and bezel are screwed in, thus ensuring water-resistance to 300 meters.
The cushion-shaped steel case has a brushed sunburst decoration on the upper surface and is polished around the sides. The caseback is engraved with the figure of a diver, recalling the first diving watches produced by Longines.
The three-hand Longines Heritage Diver (pictured below) differs from The Longines Heritage Diver chronograph with its daring mix of colors, set off by the black dial, namely one red hand and red minute zones, touches of Super-LumiNova coating and gray rhodium plating. The graduated scale (from 0 to 60 minutes) enables the diver to calculate how long he or she has been underwater by synchronizing the 12 o’clock hour symbol with the minute hand. The inner flange is activated using the crown at 2 o’clock.
This model is fitted with Longines Caliber L633.5 (otherwise known as an ETA 2824/2) and displays the hours, minutes, and seconds, along with the date in a window at 3 o’clock.
The Longines Heritage Diver chronograph (below) has the same color scheme, but in contrast to the three-hand watch, the graduated scale on its flange is arranged from 60 down to 0. This enables the diver to calculate the remaining time, for example to allow for decompression when returning to the surface, by synchronizing a given point with the minute hand. The new Longines Heritage Diver watches are fitted on a black synthetic or rubber strap.
This chronograph model is fitted with Longines Calibre L651.3 (ETA 2894/2), which displays the hours, minutes and seconds and also has a 60-second counter at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock, as well as a date display at 6 o’clock.
Prices for the Longines Heritage Diver models are $2,550 for the three-hand model and $3,750 for the chronograph.
This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated.
Very nice. I like both models. May be chronograph function is useful in diving. Thanks.