Strategic changes at Longines

Trans-Siberia-Bering.

Put them all together, what do you have?
gatorcpa

This thread deserves a bump after the release of the Hydroconquest GMT. This watch seems to be evidence that Longines is trying new recipes while also attempting to build on its legacy.

I like GMTs, although I have only owned an Oris, since sold, an X-33, also sold, and a Casio. GMTs aren't a necessity, but they are convenient. With friends and relatives in many time zones, the GMT is useful, maybe even more so when not traveling. A necessity? No, but a nice to have.

The Zulu Spirit was looking like it might be the GMT, until the HC Gmt came.

Longines has priced this so a person has to consider it, especially in USD. It maybe 1k more than the previous HC, but the Traveler's GMT can justify the increase. Hopefully Longines will resist the upward pricing that has changed how people think about Omega. Time will tell, but for now, the price seems reasonable, if not still a value.

Longines changed a lot in this, which tends to support the idea that the company is not stuck to its conservative past. Besides the dial and the hour markers, the lugs are more curved. I haven't tried one on yet but I am hoping the case is not so long across the wrist. It's also relatively slim for a GMT.

The bracelet sounds decent, with micro adjustments. At only 100 more for a bracelet for a 21mm lug width, it's hard to justify not getting a bracelet, although I think I think I'd prefer the Omega-looking rubber strap.

Most commentators seem to prefer the green, which I also initially preferred. I am leaning towards the black, however. Black, silver and splashes of red looks classier. The green is great, but it feels like it get tiring. The black also reminds of Omega, if I'm being honest with myself. But not in a way that the Longines is for people who can't afford an Omega. Just looks more quality. Still, have to wait to see one in person.

The Zulu has the COSC rated movement, but the HC has the same movement, so seems like not much difference. At first, I liked the Zulu 24 hour bezel, but 60 min bezel is a nice feature that allows the watch to act like a countdown for timing parking meters, pizzas in the oven, etc. Bonus to HC. Finally, there's the 300m water resistance. Score HC.

It feels like Longines is on the move, like they have broken through the defenses and are in open ground. They might stumble, but they seem to have picked up momentum.

Thoughts?

Tried the GMT on today. Lives up to the hype.

A bit heavy but sits nicely on my 7.25 inch wrist. Bracelet nicely tapers and the micro adjustable clasp is great. The dial is very beautiful and the hands, etc, look first class. On one tiny quibble was that the bottom edge of the side of the case was sharp. It could have used a little chamfer to look and feel more refined. But that is a nitpick. Hard to believe it's under 2800 usd.
I have only seen the Omega 75th anniversary blue in pictures but I can imagine it looks similar to this Longines blue.

These are lovely. The black dialed version is also excellent.

However, one of my bugbears is when watch makers chop off numerals for a sub dial. It does not feel necessary given the proportions of this watch!

The IWC Portogieser is one of the finest examples - a near perfect watch ruined by the numeral munch!

Want him back? Honestly as an owner of two fine vintage Longines chronographs and a waterproof fly back. it high time they got some love based on their heritage.

Could be.

You are right that Longines had outsourced some of their movements at different points prior to the 1970s. Along with the movements you mentioned, another one that comes to mind are the LeCoultre-based(?) minute repeaters (see example below). However, I think it is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of Longines watches produced between the late 19th century and mid 20th century had in-house movements. And, that a marked change occurred after the 1960s when a much higher proportion of Longines watches did not have in-house movements.

Source: https://www.1stdibs.com/en-gb/jewel...ver-pocket-watch/id-j_15987412/#zoomModalOpen