Watch Reviews 4U the Longines Spirit L2.700.4 watch 41mm case
The Longines Spirit L2.700.4 41mm watch
I recently got the chance to buy this nice Longines Spirit L2.700.4 watch for around £600, an absolute bargain I think. With little sign of use, I think I got a great deal. Great retro styling and nice to wear and a genuine Longines.
The original Longines 1915 design of this watch - this example from the 1920s
has a 16mm strap, fixed lugs and c. 28mm width case
The Spirit 41mm watch is based on a 1915 'Cushion case' design and this cushion case design was also used by the Luftwaffe in 1935 for a series of watches they commissioned from Longines with the black dial. The original 1915 version had an off-white dial.
Also available in a Chronograph version with Ivory or Black dial
This watch has an automatic movement with date and I think that the black dial really shows off the arabic hour markers very nicely, I think the hour markers on the black dial are slightly easier to read than on the Ivory colour dial version.
A chronograph version is also available with either the Black or Ivory dial, although I like the uncluttered non-chronograph version as I rarely have any use for this complication!
The mechanism is very smooth and the sweep second hand glides around, always a good sign of quality, the less 'juddery' the hand is on its travel, the better the movement. It is also a 'Hack' watch allowing you to stop the seconds hand by pulling the town right out, great for setting the watch against a time signal.
At 41mm across the case without crown, it is a nice wearable size and large enough without being overlarge, but the dial is very easy to read and looks great in the black dial version, much easier to read in my opinion than the white one.
It is not to heavy to wear either, even with the metal strap fitted, I think the metal bracelet suits the watch very well, giving it a 1930's feel, I noted that some watches of the thirties did have metal straps. The strap is very nicely made and looks very good.
The crystal is super clear and really sets the dial off, the whole watch although used is in very nice condition and just looks great. Although no longer available new unless you can find a new old stock one, these are well worth having.
The clean and simple retro styling looks more expensive than the ticket price, the whole thing looks good, the bracelet is nicely finished and snaps shut with a side button release. I can't really fault it, perhaps a glass exhibition back would be nice to see but that is just a small point.
Some might mourn the cropped '3' where the date window sits but this is also a moan on the new 42mm Spirit model. (The new Spirit models are very different and Chronometer rated.)
For a watch that likely cost about £1800 new and although it doesn't have the box or papers, it is a lovely piece to own and wear. I love the styling too, perhaps not for everybody, it appeals to me and is a lovely example of a modern Longines that is reasonably priced.
This watch came with a Longines leather strap too
but I have the metal one on it at present
The original metal strap - some watch brands had metal straps in the 1930's
A tasteful logo and brand name sets this off and it closes nicely
The rear has a metal case back with the Longines logo,
many similar watches have a glass back to show the movement
I find the metal bracelet really does suit this watch
the crystal glass is so clear and crisp and really makes the dial look pin sharp
A slim watch and not too heavy to wear,
features a Longines logo on the crown too
stylish, retro looking and a quality watch -
what more can you ask for?
This is one of my favourite watches to wear.
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