WWR #29: Longines Legend Diver with Date

Not many people know this but Longines is brand with a rich history dating back to the 19th century up to the current era.  And one of their famous stories is their pioneering pilot watch that emerged from the 1930s under the first man to fly over the atlantic ocean, Charles Lindbergh.  Then fast forward to the next few decades, embracing the quartz revolution. Well we know that story.  And up to what we see now, Longines is a brand donned by power tennis legends and an Indian Beauty.

But during the 1960s,  Longines was part of the Diving watch frenzy.  And like JLC, Hamilton, IWC, UG and Vulcain,  the brand developed a Super Compressor Dive watch.  It was called the Longines Legend diver as seen on the picture below.

Stunning watch isn't it?  Well since the past few years has been the time where we've seem numerous remakes and tributes is just about anything that happened about half a century ago, Longines, re-released the new version of this legendary diver.  Now what struck me with this watch is that compared to other tributes from the 60s, this model resembles so much from the original one that if you'd see a mint condtion 60s Legend Diver.

The new one is upgraded with a Sapphire Crystal with AR coating, screw in crowns, new movement with 28,800 bph.  Now this tribute watch has two versions, with and without date.  The one I am recommending is the with date.  Though the ultimate remake would be the no date but I just can't live without a date complication.  And it's the best distinguishing mark compared to the old one.

Here is the new legend diver after 50 years.

the no date

                                



the with date

So why this Longines compared from other super compressor dive watches around? The price is just below $2,000 USD, great tribute watch, from a trusted brand, and most of all, if the Omega that I featured last week could be a contender for the one watch to fit all, then this would be one of it's greatest challenger.  The Longines would look great under a dress or wet suit.  Young or old. Contemporary or an artist. 

Well the design might not be blendable to everyone's taste but I'm sure those with good ones will consider it.  My initial reaction to the legend diver was that of the hour hand.  I first thought it was too short, but then again, weren't hour hounds supposed to be, to be recognizable and big compare to the minute hand.  And if you were the 50s designer of the original one, there was no other way, and the design they ended up is perfect to which I would conclude.  Some designs need to grow on us.  We are not all masters of our taste.  That's what for me a good design is.  A design that not just acts as a pusher but actually teaches us and makes our way to the roots of our tastes and molds and corrects it.  And the simple dial, and inner rotating bezel, crown design, and the most common looking case, sets this to be an immortal classic, that is not that popular to the point of being unique. 

Longines usually has no defined image to their watches except for the Lindbergh hour watch which is a totally different interesting story in itself, and so with this Legend diver, I hope they carry on to this type of image with their sport/dive watch categories and forget the urge to follow the trend but rather be the trail blazer.   

WWR #28 - Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33

Omega has got to be the 2nd most popular watch brand out there after Rolex.  Without a doubt.  Well its like the 2nd choice from buying a Rollie.  Omega also has the most extensive successful marketing strategies versus any watch brand.  From James Bond, to the Olympics, to Gorgeous George, to Couching flying Zhang, to Nicole, and list goes on and on.  And not only that, their biggest marketing success came from the success of their most popular Moonwatch the Speedmaster.

But I am not recommending for this week the Speedmaster as this is a must have grail in watch addict's bucket list.  So I am recommending a more simple yet elegant and likewise a master in another element of the human world.  The Seamaster Aqua Terra 2503.33.

What struck me about this particular Omega? Being the first to appear on my WWR list?  Well just look at it.  Simply elegant, pure, calm and downright capable.  Imagine this, a pre-loved mint Mercedes Benz 300SL, in all of its glory speeding up to the hill with glittering beach view on the side, ramping its 6-cylinder engine as it conquers the slope and roars like a king while doing it, then goes downhill during the day's sunset and heads down to the sandy shores speeding gracefully looking for a perfect spot to lay back and have a sunset picnic.  Scenic isnt it?  Well thats how I view this watch.  Elegant white dial, perfect blue hands, accurate and durable movement, well crafted case, and before I miss it, resists water worth 150m of pressure.  I would like to think that if you can only have one watch and that the Rolex Submariner might be too common to or too replicated for your liking, that this watch will fit the bill.  At any occassion, any environment, and in any gentleman's personality, no one I mean not a single soul can go wrong by wearing the 2503.33. You object Sir?  Why not the Explorer? - No date.  Why not the daytona? - too busy and too pricey.  Or why not the PO Seamaster? - Well its macho rugged and not as versatile and humble as this.



The only thing too bad about this recommendation is that, the watch is no longer available, Omega is not producing one any more, well it makes the hunt more interesting.  Sure there are new Aqua Terras out there that George is courting you but this specific one is just magnificent.  I always have a fond for classic and iconic styled watches that even in a million years would still look good and won't get caught by any fashion and trend police.

What I also look for in watches is the style that could match up any shoe you'd like to fit it with.  Brushed stainless steel, plush premium leather, silicon rubber, ballistic nylon, name it bro, this one is up to game.  Just google a pic of the 2503.33 and you'll see what I mean.



There is also a black dialed version of this baby, but the blue hands is just a large margin win.

Here are the technical info on the watch

Crystal - Domed Scratch Resistan Sapphire
Size - 39.2mm
Movement - Omega 2500, self winding chronometer, Co-axial Escapement with rhodium plated finish, PR 48 hours.
Water Reistance - 150m / 500ft
Transparent Caseback
Date function.

As a management professional, i can say this is a true KISS watch.  They kept it smart and simple.