This Iconic Revival Dive Watch Gets a More Comfortable, Period-Correct Reset

Longines pulled the legendary reference 7042 dive watch out of the archive in 2007 as inspiration for the boldly named Legend Diver. It helped kick off a vintage revival movement in the watch industry that is still going strong.

Over the past 19 years, Longines capitalized on the success of the Legend Diver by introducing a range of dial and strap options, and even modernized the dimensions with a new 39mm case in 2023.

Longines

While the Legend Diver collection became a staple of the Swiss watchmaker’s modern catalog thanks to those updates, it strayed further from the original design.

But vintage dive watch purists can take a sigh of relief at the introduction of the Legend Diver 59, the most faithful representation of the original 1959 reference 7042 yet.

Compared to the original design, which is pictured below, the only detail that clearly sets the two apart is the seconds hand.

Longines

The 1959 design uses a needle seconds hand, while the Legend Diver 59 features the arrow tip version introduced with the 39mm case.

Save the date

What I find most appealing about this return to form is the removal of the date window, which was introduced in 2009 to mixed reviews. It was nixed from the 39mm update, and Longines wisely made the same decision here.

Longines

Aside from the seconds hand, as mentioned above, the dial is a spitting image of the 1950s design. It features a matte black dial with metallic detailing, including applied numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12.

What really sells the authenticity is the use of Old Radium Super-LumiNova on the hands and hour markers, rather than the white and green found on other currently available options.

The hour track, hands and pip emit a combination of green and blue light. Functionally, this is meant to help differentiate minutes and hours, but because the tracks overlap, it’s more of a cool visual.

Longines

The definitive internal rotating bezel is black with a matching metallic track, marked by numerals at 15, 30 and 45. It is still controlled by rotating the crown at 2:00.

Still decompressing

Part of me would have been overjoyed to see Longines create a Legend Diver with a true super compressor case, matching the original one produced by EPSA, and this would have been the perfect opportunity to do so.

Longines

But I admit that would have been more of a gimmick, because dive watch case engineering has come a long way since 1959, and the Legend Diver’s 300m water resistance more than doubles that of its vintage progeny.

Since EPSA closed up shop a long time ago and no company readily produces super compressor cases anymore, it would have skyrocketed the cost for Longines to develop and manufacture its own. As usual, the brand made the right decision for the customer.

The Legend Diver 59 is powered by the same Longines Caliber L888.6 automatic movement found in the 39mm iteration. It features a silicon balance spring, beats at 3.5Hz and boasts a 72-hour power reserve.

Longines

While the Legend Diver 59 has the same 42mm case diameter as the reference 7042 and the 2007 reissue, it is not identical to either. The lugs have been shortened by 2.5mm total, bringing the lug-to-lung distance down to 50mm, which is only 3mm longer than the 39mm version.

This new, more wearable 42mm case comes on a Milanese steel mesh bracelet with a folding clasp, featuring tool-free micro-adjustment and a double-folding safety clasp, similar to the one that recently debuted on the overhauled HydroConquest. A black rubber pin buckle strap is also provided with the watch.

Availability and pricing

I wouldn’t call the Legend Diver 59 a replica of the reference 7042, but it is a reproduction that is more faithful and more comfortable on the wrist than the 2007 reissue.

The Longines Legend Diver 59 is available now from Longines for $4,100. It’s a safe bet that it represents a full reset of the 42mm Legend Diver line, and I expect more color and material variations of this design to come along over the next few years.

Longines

Longines Legend Diver 59

Specs

Case Size	42mm
Movement	Longines Caliber L888.6 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $4,100 at Longines

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