Longines has a history dating back to 1832, and its "winged hourglass" emblem is the oldest registered unchanged logo still in use, dating to 1889. The brand produced numerous designs that helped famed aviators such as Amelia Earhart explore the uncharted skies in the early 20th century. That's some adventurous heritage any watch company would be proud of, and today the brand exists among the Swatch Group's stable of luxury watchmakers.
Longines has a wide range of models in its archive to inform its 21st century Heritage collection, which pulls from its famed 20th-century designs. These draw upon specific models of the past, from dive watches to pilot's watches and dress watches, as well as modern designs featuring general vintage inspiration. Of course, Longines Heritage watches sit alongside fully contemporary models like the HydroConquest and others. Here are some of the best watches the brand currently offers.
Longines HydroConquest USA Edition
The HydroConquest is Longines's core contemporary dive watch collection. Housed in a 41mm-wide case, this particular version is exclusive to the brand's US authorized dealers. With a black PVD coating and black ceramic bezel, it's got a tactical look with strong legibility with lots of contrast, as well as the 300m of water resistance and strong lume expected of a serious dive watch.
Diameter: 41mm
Movement: ETA A31.L01 Automatic
Water Resistance: 300m
Longines Flagship Heritage
The Flagship Heritage watch was designed in 1957, but fits well in an updated 38.5mm case. Its design is classical with retro touches, such as its cream-colored dial paired with warm, gold-toned hands and indices — even the choice of a sub-seconds display rather than a central seconds hand feels like a throwback. It is, however, fully modern in construction and makes for one of the best dress watches you can buy at this price.
Diameter: 38.5mm
Movement: ETA 2895-2 Automatic
Water Resistance: 30m
Longines Heritage Skin Diver
The skin diver style, which makes for an interesting take on the more familiar dive watch looks, has returned to popularity in recent years alongside increased enthusiasm for vintage watches. Longines's version is water-resistant to a full 300m — whereas many skin diver watches were meant for snorkeling or other activities that require less water resistance. However, the watch retains the distinctive skin diver look, suffused with colors that suggest the faded lume of a vintage watch for an extra shot of style.
Diameter: 42mm
Movement: ETA A31.L01 Automatic
Water Resistance: 300m
Longines Heritage Military
Longines's aptly named Heritage Military reaches back to a vavigator’s watch created for the British air force in the 1940s. While its blued hands, Arabic numeral hour markers and railroad chapter ring form the basis of the design, the design has been reworked for placement in a more contemporary 38.5mm case. Most interesting about the Heritage Military is its dial, which features a speckled treatment made to look like a patinated vintage watch face.
Diameter: 38.5mm
Movement: ETA ETA 2892/A2 Automatic
Water Resistance: 30m
Longines Heritage 1945
Longines decided to base its Heritage 1945 on a vintage model HODINKEE founder Ben Clymer posted on Instagram in 2016. Now sized up 3mm to 40mm, this model features a Calatrava-style case, warm copper-toned dial and a uniquely small sub-dial for the seconds hand — a quirky touch that adds a sense of personality. Of course, it's got all the contemporary updates you expect, from a sapphire crystal to a modern automatic movement.
Diameter: 40mm
Movement: ETA 2895-2 Automatic
Water Resistance: 30m
