Longines Legend Diver 2023

Jamie Weiss

I’m simply going to go forward and say it: the Longines Legend Diver is my favorite watch in Longines’ present vary. It’s acquired the proper mixture of old-school looks and trendy software watch performance – it is likely to be a correct dive watch however it’s acquired a dressy, demure vibe that I believe is completely compelling. Since its introduction (or actually re-introduction) in 2007, Longines has subtly tweaked the Legend Diver a number of occasions over time, however 2023’s replace represents maybe its most substantial but, with this retro piece made to be much more trustworthy to the unique Longines Diver ref. 7042 of 1959 from which it takes its inspiration.

The dial

The primary large change the Longines Legend Diver has acquired is that it now not contains a date window. Through the years, Longines has launched, then taken away the date window on the Legend Diver – however the authentic Diver ref. 7042 didn’t have one, so 2023’s replace restores that design purity, which is able to little doubt please many fans.

Two dials can be found for the brand new Longines Legend Diver, blue and black, each of that are made out of a wealthy lacquer and have white numerals, indices and Longines logos, versus the faux-aged appliqués of earlier fashions. Up till now, the Legend Diver vary solely included a blue dégradé dial option (which was fairly good, thoughts you), however a full blue lacquer dial will little doubt be acquired warmly by Longines followers.

The case

The opposite information merchandise right here with the Longines Legend Diver is a brand new case measurement. These two black and blue Legend Divers characteristic a Goldilocks 39mm measurement diameter, which sits smack dab within the center between the 36mm and 42mm fashions within the preexisting vary.

Apparently, the ref. 7042 featured a 42mm case measurement, so shrinking it all the way down to 39mm is extra of a contemporary concession in direction of customers searching for smaller case sizes. Nonetheless, 39mm feels extra retro, so whereas it’s not traditionally trustworthy, it form of is sensible for this watch. At 12.7mm thick, it’s not strictly talking that skinny (the crystal is accountable for a lot of that top) however it wears fairly skinny, slipping simply underneath my cuff.

The Longines Legend Diver’s elementary case design stays principally unchanged, except its case sides, which at the moment are brushed, the place beforehand the watch’s complete case was polished, and its lugs, which at the moment are shorter and fewer angular.

Its two cross-hatched crowns – one for adjusting the time and one for working the interior compression-style diving bezel – are additionally barely shorter, with extra pronounced ‘caps’. A noticeably boxed sapphire crystal with black metallic plating and a number of layers of anti-reflective coating full the package deal. The Legend Diver additionally stays water resistant to 300 metres.

The motion

Underneath the hood beats Longines’ calibre L888.6. The L888 is a Longines-exclusive model of the ETA 2892-2, considered one of ETA’s premium vary of actions, with the .6 being the most recent model of the motion, which makes its debut right here with the brand new Longines Legend Diver.

The L888.6 variant is COSC-certified, lacks a date window and boasts a silicon stability spring, which helps the motion supply magnetic resistance ten occasions higher than the ISO 764 benchmark commonplace. With a 72-hour energy reserve, that is a particularly competent, dependable motion – there’s actually not a lot one may complain about right here.

The bracelet

Beforehand, the Longines Legend Diver’s sole metal bracelet possibility was a Milanese band – which, whereas it suited the aesthetic of the Legend Diver, wasn’t to everybody’s style. Fortunately, 2023 has seen Longines introduce a super-slinky beads of rice-style metal bracelet for the Legend Diver, which nonetheless appears old-school however is extraordinarily snug. It’s superb how having built-in finish hyperlinks makes the Legend Diver look all that extra premium.

My one criticism concerning the bracelet (and actually concerning the Longines Legend Diver generally) is its lack of tool-free micro-adjustment. Whereas it does have 5 positions for tool-assisted adjustment, not having the ability to change its size on the fly looks like a needlessly retro contact, significantly when so many comparable dive watches available on the market at this worth level do have tool-free micro-adjustment. Nonetheless, the clasp itself works properly and feels premium.

Alternatively, the Longines Legend Diver now additionally comes with an aged leather-based strap possibility. You in all probability wouldn’t wish to swim with the leather-based strap, however it helps make the Legend Diver really feel much more dressy than it already is. A standard NATO strap can be obtainable from Longines for the watch.

The decision

Including a brand new 39mm case diameter to the vary strengthens the Longines Legend Diver’s insane worth proposition, as does its subtly extra refined motion and svelte new metal bracelet. Personally, I didn’t thoughts the date window on the Legend Diver, however I’ll admit that eradicating it lets its handsomely symmetrical compression bezel design actually shine. No phrase of a lie, this can be a severe candidate for the subsequent watch in my assortment…

Longines Legend Diver pricing and availability

The Longines Legend Diver in 39mm is now obtainable from all Longines factors of sale and online. Worth: A$5,300 (for each leather-based and bracelet).