News: Longines Heritage 1969
The Longines Museum, located in the village of Saint-Imier, Switzerland, is just one of several museums maintained by a variety of high-end watchmakers in the interest of preserving watchmaking tradition for future generations. It looks back at the brand’s long and winding journey since it was founded in 1832, featuring displays on notable watchmakers and horological feats, as well as exhibiting notable watches from the brand’s history.
Luxury brands often use these museums not only for the purpose of conserving heritage, but also as a source of inspiration for new models—which is the story behind the Longines Heritage 1969. One of a selection of vintage re-issues made by the brand over the last few years, the Heritage’s design is based on a cushion-shaped watch from the late 1960s, giving the watch a classically vintage appeal, along with all the improved performance and accuracy that comes with modern watchmaking technology.
The piece uses the excellent in-house automatic calibre L888.2 (based on the ETA A31.L01), which is the same movement that powers the brand’s Railroad watch, another piece inspired by Longines’ horological history. The movement beats at 25,200vph and has a power reserve of 64 hours, as well as featuring a small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock, just like the original model upon which this watch is based. The dial is gloriously simple and uncluttered, and a seamless homage to the watches of the 1960s.
The cushion case is in stainless steal, and is complemented by thin, elegant rose gold hands and applied indices on the silvered dial. The watch remains vintage in its proportions, staying true to the styling of the time that it is commemorating, and measures 36mm by 36mm. The watch sits on a black alligator strap with an elegant buckle—the perfect accompaniment to the subtle sophistication of the piece.
