Just as at home in the ocean as it is on land or in the air, Longines has long developed invaluable tools that empower sea-bound explorers and underwater adventurers. From 1937’s launch of the very first chronograph with water-resistant push-pieces to the unveiling of the now iconic Longines Legend Diver in 1959, Longines has demonstrated its mastery of aquatic timekeeping many times over. Now, a refined new incarnation of the Longines Legend Diver is pushing the envelope even further, resulting in the ultimate watch for those who live, work, and play in the ocean.
A Stylish Exploration
Taking inspiration from the aforementioned ‘59 timepiece that proved to be such a horological landmark, the new Longines Legend Diver boasts the highly recognisable super-compressor case with internal rotating disc and two screw-down crowns, but swaps out the original’s 42 mm design for an elegant new 39 mm sizing. The watch’s elegance is only matched by its precision, as it’s driven by an exclusive Longines L888.6 calibre that comes equipped with a silicon balance spring and offers a magnetic resistance 10 times that of the ISO 764 benchmark standard, as well as a power reserve of up to 72 hours.
Not only does the new Longines Legend Diver embody Longines’ immaculate style and accuracy, it’s also a certified divers’ watch (that name is no lie) with water-resistance up to 30 Bar (300 metres), as well as being chronometer-certified by the independent control body COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). For those who need further convincing of the new Longines Legend Diver’s bona fides, COSC’s certification process sees the watch head—with the movement running in the case—tested for 15 consecutive, uninterrupted days in a range of positions and at three temperatures to absolutely guarantee precision.
A Dial to Dive For
All of this would mean little if the Longines Legend Diver didn’t also deliver on the dial front. Fortunately, it remains timeless and unmistakable, with a look of classic, date-free minimalism available in black or blue lacquer. Hours are marked by elongated indexes and raised luminescent Arabic numerals, while visibility is optimised courtesy of rhodium-plated and polished arrow-hands coated with Super LumiNova. This is then topped by a domed sapphire crystal with black metal plating and several layers of anti-reflective protection on both sides.
For those looking to use the Longines Legend Diver for its original purpose—and with so much incredible water to explore throughout Australia’s imminent warmer months, we can’t imagine why you wouldn’t—the sapphire crystal also protects the internal bidirectional rotating bezel, so you can accurately measure your dive time. Its positioning within the case guards it from disruption, while the screw-down crown at 2 o’clock activates it on a graduated 60-minute scale located around the case flange and capped at 12 o’clock with a luminescent triangle symbol.
A stainless-steel case boasting alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces and the collection’s diver symbol stamped on its screw-down case back deliver the finishing touches to this stunning new incarnation of the Longines Legend Diver. Paired with one of three straps—brown leather, blue NATO, or a stainless-steel bracelet with a double-safety folding clasp—it’s the ultimate watch for those who can’t resist the ocean’s call to adventure.
