Why the Longines Heritage Collection is going from strength to strength

James Robinson

Owning a watch that has been given to you as a gift has a sentimental element that can get even more meaningful over time. Anyone who has been fortunate enough to have received a watch as a gift, a milestone or something to mark an achievement, will know what I’m on about – it’s an emotional thing, it becomes more than ‘just a watch’.

…if you’re contemplating buying a watch for someone you care about, you should abide by one simple rule: keep it classic.

But not all watch gifts are equal. What can make the experience slightly less nostalgic as the years go on is if the watch in question was made with a particular aesthetic or trend that is no longer en vogue … think the vast majority of fashion watches from the ’90s, for example.

That’s why, if you’re contemplating buying a watch for someone you care about, you should abide by one simple rule: keep it classic. And the parameters set by Longines’ range of heritage timepieces are some very safe guide-rails indeed.

Why? Because they offer tried and tested watch designs with a high level of refinement that’s verging on unparalleled in the price bracket. And, because all of the heritage models are based on timepieces that were made many, many decades ago – if they were going to go “out of fashion” it would have already happened. So you’re pretty safe.

Now that Longines’ online store is now up and running, buying the right watch has never been easier. Here are some Heritage Longines we rate (and want to own in the Heritage Classic’s case) to get you going.

The Longines Heritage Classic L2.828.4.73.0

Hands down, one of the hottest watches to be released this year is this new sector dial Heritage Classic. In fact, deputy editor Nicholas Kenyon loves this watch so much that he’s stated, on record, that it will be his next purchase. It’s easy to understand why — everything about this watch is just inherently right. The brushed stainless steel case, for example, is 38.5mm, which is nigh on the perfect size for a watch of this ilk. Likewise, the silver dial — complete with its sectoring, blued steel hands and small seconds located at six o’clock — is bang on the money. This hits the sweet spot in every metric I can fathom, and it strikes a chord with a great many watch enthusiasts around the globe. Oh, and you can buy it for less than $3K. Need we say more? Hit this link to purchase the Longines Heritage Classic L2.828.4.73.0.

The Longines Flagship Heritage L4.795.4.78.2

This Flagship Heritage screams old-world dress watch sensibility. If we had to seek out a timepiece for less than $2.5K to rock with some tan brown leather loafers and a double-breasted, peaked lapel jacket, we’d be headed straight to the Longines boutique for this bad boy. The mellow silver dial, with its “fauxtina” hew and golden gilt indices and handset, paired with its chocolate brown alligator leather band, mark out as a decidedly handsome wristwatch. And inside the svelte stainless steel case, which measures just 38.5mm, you’ll find the Calibre L615 automatic movement, which serves up 42 hours of power reserve and an operating frequency of 28,800 (4Hz) vibrations per hour. Click here to purchase the Longines Flagship Heritage L4.795.4.78.2.

The Longines Weems L2.713.4.11.0

Last and by no means least, this Longines Weems is for the gent who likes their watches to sit large and in charge on their wrist. This antiquated timepiece’s 47.5mm stainless steel case measures in at a herculean 47.5mm, making it one of the biggest watches on sale today. And, as far as pilot’s watches go, it’s a real looker, serving up plenty of yesteryear charm thanks to things like the period-correct onion crown, oversized Roman numerals and blued steel hands. The movement on offer is something special too, as Calibre L699 benefits from self-winding, internal rotating dial, which synchronises the second hand with a radio time signal and a rotating bezel to adjust to the equation of time daily variations. Hit this link to purchase the Longines Weems L2.713.4.11.0.

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Made in partnership with Longines. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.