“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 4: A classic from the Longines Heritage Collection

Nick Kenyon

The Heritage Diver 1967 was released at the first Basel we attended as Time+Tide, so it holds special significance. It was also one of our favourite releases of the year, with its heft, heritage-correct styling and dashing colour scheme, it photographed beautifully and remains a solid submarine option in the truest sense. This watch is generously donated by Swatch Group Australia.

Longines have got a lot of things right about this design, particularly on the dial. Sure, the original watch was a bi-compax chronograph with no date, but other than that, the handset is perfect (so ’60s), and the indices and dial text are just right too. But the element of the dial that can go unnoticed to the untrained eye is that all three sub-dials are different. This mixes the dial up in a good way, and by having the hour register at six blend into the dial, the design preserves the two-register look of the original. Clever work, Longines. The bracelet, while solid, excellently replicates the sort of thin, folded bracelet you’d find on a vintage piece. And the aluminium bezel, with dominant elapsed minutes and smaller hour indicators, is a rich red, somewhere between oxblood and cherry. Longines call it ‘Bordeaux’ – which is spot on.

What we like about it

Andrew – What I’ve always loved about this dive watch by Longines is the unusual mix – for Longines Heritage models anyway – of heft and vintage appeal. The brand’s reissues are usually rather svelte and slight. This one is a monster. It’s large, splashed with colour, and in charge. A superb combination.

Nick – The Longines Heritage Diver 1967 was one of the original references that were tremendously successful as the brand delved into their archives. The combination of burgundy bezel, white minute track and black “reverse panda” dial makes for a stunningly framed watch on the wrist.

James – Longines’ Heritage Collection has been kicking goals for quite some time now and, on a personal note, I think it’s one of the most exciting collections in the horological hemisphere at the moment. This Heritage Diver 1967 typifies why I’m such a fan of what the Heritage Collection does – it’s a great watch with a perfectly judged amount of vintage flair.

Features

Manufacturer: Longines
Model Name: Heritage Diver 1967
Year: 2015
Reference: L2.808.4.52.x
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 42mm diameter
Calibre: L688.2, automatic chronograph
Bracelet/Strap: Steel link bracelet

View the lot right here.