Watch Reviews 4U presents a review of a used
Longines Master Collection L2.859.4 44mm Silver Dial
Chronograph watch from Lifestyle Watches in Bathgate-
I highly recommend this seller for their superb customer service - see below
Longines L2.859.4 Silver Barleycorn Dial 44mm Tri-Compax
Chronograph - on a Stainless Steel Bracelet as purchased used
Of the Longines watches sold per year, the majority are surprisingly enough plain dial with date watches, Chronograph watches seemingly are a smaller proportion of their annual sales.
The Leather Strap option of the 44mm watch
From a collecting point, this makes Longines Chronographs rarer on the used market in proportion to the standard fare date only. Additionally, due to the complexity of the movement, the Chronograph can often be thicker in case depth to accommodate the extra workings.
44mm Longines Chronograph - As pictured by Lifestyle Watches
Compared for size with a 40mm Bi-Compax (L) and a 44mm Sun-ray Blue version (R)
The 44mm appeals to me as I prefer larger dials as they are often easier to read over the smaller dials. I tend to go for 40mm and larger watches as these sit well on my wrist and are not too heavy to wear generally.
As standard, in the quality Longines Presentation box with paperwork
The watch reviewed here is a great balance of size and weight on the wrist, it is a perfect size for me and also the weight is not too great, given that the case is fairly thin in depth and elegantly designed so that case weight is saved through the economy of the design. The movement is also quite compact, given its complication and this helps keep the case depth thinner.
The Barleycorn patterned dial face - in Silver, but looks whiter in this picture
The dial face is patterned and the texture works well on the surface, the arabic numerals are paint finished onto the dial and are very crisply finished. The chapter ring is bevel angled to the dial face and shows the seconds markings track for the long Chronograph Seconds hand.
A Longines 40mm Chronograph with Silver face from the Longines site -
shows off the blued hands and silver dial finish nicely
The Stainless Bracelet is superbly finished
The Sub Dials feature concentric ring patterning and have chromed bezel outer rings which are a great finishing touch to define the dials. The hands are attractively blue finished and contrast well with the silver dial.
A nicely sized Crown and easy to use Chrono. Pushers
The Bracelet is Stainless Steel on this particular example - a Leather Strap version watch is also available or can be fitted later if desired, in place of the Stainless Bracelet. Aftermarket straps are available from Longines on their website for this watch.
On a larger size watch like this, the all-metal Bracelet does add weight over the Leather Strap option. I did change over to a Leather Strap on this watch as it was lighter, saves wear to the Stainless Bracelet and I tend to prefer the Leather version. This watch looking as new, the leather strap was a preferable wearing option for me.
Sub dials are: Running Seconds (left), Hour (centre) & Minutes (right)
The Crown is a decent size and features the Longines name and logo present which looks crisp and denotes quality in that it is made for the watch and is not just an off the shelf made button. The pushers are a good size and easy to use.
The Stainless Steel case is faultlessly finished
The watch is powered by an L688 ETA movement which keeps great time as you would expect from this level of watch. The exhibition back with glass window allows you to see the beautifully finished movement which is a nice feature.
Showing the rear exhibition case cover with window -
The L688 Movement is shown off nicely here
Side quick-set date button set at 10 o'clock position
The Stainless Steel case is nicely designed and superbly finished, watches of this case size can be heavy due to the size of the case, but this design is thin in depth for what is contained in the case and the lugs are of a swept design with an economy of form and size that helps reduce weight.
Seconds Sub Dial detail
The 44mm Master Collection one reviewed here I find easy to wear, even given the size and the weight - it is lighter than the Vitesse.
Overall, this watch is a very nice watch to wear for either dress or leisure, the look is stylish, the finish is superb and the value for money is very good, especially in a used example. Longines has hit a great stride in watch design and manufacture in recent years.
I find the Longines brand great value for money, attractive design and have good case sizes and often size options. I choose them over many other more expensive brands because Longines just delivers what I am looking for in a watch.
The 44mm L2.859.4 watch is retailing at around £3000 new, used examples can be typically picked up at around the £1600 mark currently.
This watch was purchased from Lifestyle Watches in Bathgate and is the second Longines I have purchased from this retailer. The transaction was easy and the customer service outstanding. I would highly recommend this retailer who sell a wide range of watch brands and are very nice people to deal with.
Take look at their watches at:
