Over the last two years I have tried to feature as many watch brands as possible on my website. In some cases collating suitable material isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Generally I have found that independent watchmakers are easier to deal with and they will go the extra mile. This is because they need the exposure significantly more than the larger groups. Ultimately they have limited resources and can’t afford to advertise in high profile magazines. On the other side of the spectrum are corporates like Swatch, Richemont and LVMH. They have enormous budgets and can spend millions on brand ambassadors. These types of endorsements are worth their weight in gold and equate to huge annual watch sales.
A few months ago I reviewed the Longines Heritage Diver Chronograph. I was really impressed with this timepiece and the level of communication I received from the company. However it is pertinent to mention that most of my dealings have been with their regional offices based in Melbourne Australia. Even though Longines has been part of the Swatch Group since the early 1980’s they have maintained a certain level of autonomy.
Recently Longines invited me to test one of their latest releases called the Heritage 1935. As an admirer of their watches I was delighted to be afforded this opportunity. When the watch arrived I was impressed with the overall quality but surprised by how small it appeared. Dimensionally the timepiece has a diameter of 42mm but seems a lot more diminutive than the Heritage Diver Chronograph. I don’t necessarily see this is as a bad thing and I am sure the watch will entice a wide variety of buyers. Generally I found the timepiece sat comfortably on my wrist and I can imagine wearing it on a daily basis. Primarily this is due to the elegant cushion shape case and use of 316L stainless steel in production.
As the name suggests the Heritage 1935 is based on a 1935 model, which was originally designed for aviators in the Czech Air Force. What makes this watch so appealing is the understated and sporty façade. Details like the black dial with contrasting large white numerals (coated with Super-LumiNova) and small second counter are very effective. Other features include a stylish fluted bezel, sapphire crystal lens and date window (located at 6 o’clock). Overall the composition is very refined and the finishing is first rate.
At the heart of the watch is the sophisticated self-winding Calibre L615 (ETA 2895/2). This movement comprises 27-jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). The only drawback is this fine mechanism cannot be seen because the watch has a solid case back. Functionally the Heritage 1935 features hours, minutes, small seconds and date facility. The timepiece also has a power reserve of 42-hours and is water resistant to a depth of 30 metres.
The Heritage 1935 has a hand sewn black alligator strap with matching polished steel buckle. Priced at: $2,300
For more information visit the company’s website: http://www.longines.com
