Longines Record Chronometer L2.821.4.96.4 Blue Dial 40mm Watch
The Longines Record Chronometer - a superb watch for the money
This is a blue dial although it looks darker in the picture
Longines have produced some amazing watches in the last ten years giving an entry into the luxury watch market for many who thought this level of watch ownership was out of reach.
For a few thousand pounds you can own a very nicely designed and made Longines watch, Longines have managed to produce some great watches that ordinary people can own with the benefits affordability, style and great design.
And there's no waiting list either, these watches can be picked up on-line or in the High Street. If you like the classic look of watches from the last 60 years then Longines is a brand you should consider. I'm not into Sport or Divers watches, so Rolex doesn't really appeal to me for that reason for one, plus I rarely have need of a chronograph, although some Longines watches do have this facility.
The Record is also available a version with a Metal strap
Up for review today is a new old stock L2.821.4.96.4 a watch from early 2022 and essentially brand new, still with the wrapper on the crystal and back. The Longines Record watch was available with a number of different dial colours, the Blue dial in my opinion is one of the best and simply looks great, as does the black too, although Blue dial watches are a favourite of mine - harking back to 1983 and ownership of my first Seiko 5 with a blue dial. This Longines has a blue 'sun ray' style dial which really shimmers in the light, it is great at showing off the detail on the dial face.
The movement is from ETA which Longines as part of Swatch group encompasses. ETA are very highly regarded and their movements have historically been fitted to many watch brands. The movement on this Record is beautifully finished and visible through a glass exhibition back, the dial has a single date window set from position 2 on the Crown and the sweep of the second hand is very smooth which Longines is known for - this smoothness denotes quality -the smoother the second hand travels is usually an indicator of the level of quality of the movement. It is also a Hack watch pull the crown right out and it stops the seconds hand.
A superb presentation box rounds this off nicely
The Record Chronometer is a lovely watch, this 40mm one I think is the best size as it is not too large on the wrist but larger than the vintage usual c.32-37mm case size watches that Longines made in decades past.
Although I generally prefer a 42mm + size watch, this watch is easy to read on the wrist and is not too small, it is about right I would say. I wouldn't want anything smaller say a 39mm or less, but this one is great and not heavy to wear.
The drawback I find with the smaller case size vintage pieces is that the dials are not so easy to read, 'oversize' vintage watches of say 38 to 40mm from the vintage era, are rarer and as such command much higher prices on the secondhand market.
Longines Record dial design over the the new Longines Spirit
The 40mm on the wrist the Record is a good size, but not overlarge
ideal for the Hipster about town in London, New York or California
For those Hipsters amongst you who like the vintage look but might like a slightly larger dial then the Record might suit you, it is large enough without being over large and gives you a vintage look without the limitations of the 32-38mm of the original sized cases.
I was looking at one of the new 42mm size Longines Spirit Chronometers in Blue dial version recently but I chose this older Record model in preference over it - it was just a personal choice. I like the earlier watch's uncluttered dial, simple and functional and less fussy than the new spirit.
A superb view of the mechanism afforded by the glass window in the case
I think the new Spirit version is nicely done, it has a row of 5 stars on the dial over the Chronometer title, the stars harking back to the old Longines Admiral watch of the 70's, the applied larger numbers on the new Spirit with the cut down 3 on the 42mm Spirit and the red tip to the seconds hand just looks a bit too 'busy' for me.
The Blue sun ray effect dial is so classy -
understated but shows the dial furniture off to great effect
Given the choice of the two watches, I would go for the more 'stripped down' Record version. It is a triumph of a modern and slightly minimalist design with echoes of the Bauhaus school of form and functionality of design. Just my personal choice! If I was given a modern Spirit I would be happy to wear it!
With a 20mm strap on the Record watch, finding a replacement strap in the future should be straightforward too. The strap closes in two parts onto a central part and the strap clasp has a central two button release which is very nicely done. The strap is Alligator leather front in blue finish with a calf leather inner in biscuit brown, high quality as you would expect and get from Longines.
The exhibition back on the Record affords a nice view of the automatic mechanism, something which is covered over on the newer Spirit which has a Stainless Steel cover held on by a number of screws to the rear of the case. However, perhaps that is an intentional design feature to give it more of an 'aviator' style and also does afford Longines to use their larger brand logo on the rear of the case to greater effect.
The tasteful blue fronted strap really sets off the watch.
The glass exhibition back allows you to see
the superbly finished movement in all its glory!
I first came across the Record Chronometer watch generally as a secondhand item on EBay in Japan and I was very impressed with the design of the watch. I believe there is a larger case size version at 44mm however this 40mm version will be fine for my needs and also in summer use a smaller watch is less heavy to wear when the weather is warmer. This watch is well worth purchasing if it suits your style and appeals to you.
This is a beautiful and stylish timepiece, a masterpiece of manufacturing too. If you are able to buy new or secondhand, I don't think that you will be disappointed by this piece, it is a nice everyday watch or will look stylish at events or social gatherings and is likely to attract interest thanks to the great style and design. Definitely a great one to own!
Be sure to check out the other Heritage and Master collection watches from Longines too.
No comments:
Post a Comment