Over the past two decades, Longines has put a concerted effort into reestablishing itself as the epitome of contemporary elegance (just ask Regé-Jean Page) and the Swiss watchmaker has wasted no time in making its intentions clear for 2024. Just a few days into the new year, Longines has unveiled two glitzy new dress watches, draped in a heavy smattering of 18-carat yellow or 18-carat rose gold. Make no mistake, however, the new 40mm Longines Master Collection GMTs aren’t just here to look good.
A refined and somewhat traditional approach to the emblematic lineup, the latest Master Collection releases speak to Longines’ enviable style pedigree. Boasting a precious metal finish and the Longines-exclusive Calibre L844.5 GMT movement, the ref.L2.844.6.71.2 and ref.L2.844.8.71.2 are undeniably elegant, replete with the kind of classic sophistication that is often lost in the modern watchmaking scene.
Importantly, the movement is the very same one that Longines utilised in 2023’s stellar Spirit Zulu Time and Hydroconquest pieces, however, this time around, it arrives in a far dressier package. Flashes of gold shimmer delicately across the frosted silver dial, with the Roman numerals and 24-hour scale adding a familiar vintage aesthetic.
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From there, you’ll also find a date aperture at 6 o’clock, alongside gold hours, minutes and seconds hands. The GMT hand is accentuated in black to tone with the 24‐hour scale numerals, so as to make the second time zone easier to read.
Inside, the Longines Master Collection GMT tightly follows the lead of last year’s novelties. The self-winding Calibre L844.5, which is visible through the transparent sapphire caseback, comes equipped with a silicon balance spring for accuracy and construction. Much like its stablemates, this movement delivers a solid 72 hours power reserve.
While you could argue the gold GMT dress watch serves no real purpose in the modern age, Longines is clearly making a statement. Looking at the design, you get a sense that this is very much a timepiece earned. It harks back to the era of the travelling executive, a token of exquisite taste attained only after years of hard work. While that might seem a little outdated and idealistic in today’s age, it does feel oddly refreshing.
Where Longines has redefined the mid-tier luxury space in recent years, courtesy of stand-out pieces such as the Ultra-Chron and Zulu Time, the Master Collection remains a step above, and the price point proves this. At AUD$24,635, the new GMTs are a significant jump from other pieces in the Longines lineup, but it doesn’t come out of nowhere. A precious metal construction, exclusive GMT movement and limited availability go a fair way in justifying the steep investment, but it must be said – this isn’t really the kind of watch you flip. Longines is very much going for the modern heirloom and I, for one, am all for it.
Longines Master Collection GMT L2.844.6.71.2
- Brand: Longines
- Model: Longines Master Collection GMT
- Reference: L2.844.6.71.2
- Calibre: Longines L844.5
- Diameter: 40mm
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Case Material: 18-carat yellow gold
- Availability: 500 pieces worldwide
- Price: AUD$24,625
Longines Master Collection GMT L2.844.8.71.2
- Brand: Longines
- Model: Longines Master Collection GMT
- Reference: L2.844.8.71.2
- Calibre: Longines L844.5
- Diameter: 40mm
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Case Material: 18-carat rose gold
- Availability: 500 pieces worldwide
- Price: AUD$24,625
