Is Longines great past causing it’s current watches to be under appreciated?

NGO1 · Oct 19, 2021

MtnMarine
Im glad this thread was brought up. I’ve really been eyeing this watch recently. Beautiful all around, plus it would be my first bronze watch. Please keep us updated on patina as you break it in! Enjoy!

I read elsewhere the Bronze LLD mix do not patina, or extremely subtle (like decades of exposure)—unlike Panerai. Which makes sense, because their targeted audience aren’t watch nerds. The idea of having a golden/bronze watch “spotting and going dull” will freak the shit out of most Longines customers.

patina bronze case is an acquired taste. In this case, I think Longines is mimicking warm gold. So their pieces can stand out in a sea of Hamilton and Movado at Macy’s.

MtnMarine · Oct 19, 2021

Ok, good to know! I know omega is doing something like that, so that makes sense. Thanks for the info!

cineaste · Oct 19, 2021

jjen
It's just kind of sad that they used to make these amazing flyback chronographs and now they don't. I think their vintage time only watches were nice but not very very special, like a step or two below Omega. Now they are very clearly slotted into a certain price point that they have to work within, which is further emphasized when the vintage inspired designs come out which just makes you think of what might have been

A step or two below Omega? You might want to rethink that statement, I strongly believe that during the early 50s Longines was at least equal to Omega!

KJL · Oct 19, 2021

I own an Omega Seamaster I purchased new in 2018. I honestly don’t see that much difference between that and my Longines. They are very different stylistically. My Longines is way more understated. Which is one of the reasons I bought it. Having looked at many Longines in person, I believe they all look better in person than in pictures. The case finishing on the Omega is more jewelry like. But, not necessarily better. I have seen some Longines (ie the Spirit) that is finished more comparably to the Omega. As for accuracy, the difference might be within a second or two a day.
Having my Omega for exactly 3 years, it already needed servicing because it stopped running. Has the 2500D. Love the accuracy, but surprised and disappointed that it stopped working. I also own many watches and rotate. So it’s not even like the omega was worn a lot. Hard to say, but maybe in the very long run, my L888.5 will fare better than the coax. I sincerely hope Im wrong about that. Hope they are both great. But time will tell.
Don’t underestimate current Longines. You may not like their styles. But that isn’t necessarily an indication as to their quality.

NGO1 · Oct 19, 2021

cineaste
A step or two below Omega? You might want to rethink that statement, I strongly believe that during the early 50s Longines was at least equal to Omega!

and now they are sharing the case with Movado and Fossil at Macy's. Not every business excel.
Longines can benefit from the playbook of Breitling. With the dozen good re-releases, Breitling is ascending rapidly.

I imagined being a brand of a conglomerate takes a toll on Longines' creative juices. They must move up/down market with their respective peers.

Someone should buy Longines out of Swatch.

Syrte · Oct 19, 2021

ngo516
Someone should buy Longines out of Swatch.

That would take a lot of money because as far as I can recall, they are the brand with the largest watch sales in the world.

NGO1 · Oct 19, 2021

Syrte
That would take a lot of money because as far as I can recall, they are the brand with the largest watch sales in the world.

gesus, you are correct. I’m genuinely shocked.
I was under the assumption ”if I don’t want it, no one wants it”.
Top 4 in revenue: Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Longines up to 2019. Dang!

I’m very wrong.

.

pdxleaf · Oct 20, 2021

Not enough pictures

jmnav · Oct 23, 2021

Syrte
That would take a lot of money because as far as I can recall, they are the brand with the largest watch sales in the world.

The Swiss brand...

Syrte · Oct 23, 2021

J jmnav
The Swiss brand...

dunno…. This is a very interesting table from the Morgan Stanley study @ngo516 dug up. Certainly Hermes and Dior aren’t Swiss, Bell & Ross isn’t Swiss (Chanel is one of its main shareholders), Cartier and Lange& Sohne aren’t Swiss. Perhaps the segment is « watches held by luxury industry companies » but Swatch and Tissot certainly aren’t luxury.