We presented recently the Longines Skin Diver watch from the Heritage Collection. Longines comes with a new addition in the collection – The Longines Heritage Military, dedicated to the Royal Air Force. Check the integral press release below.
In honour of its rich history, Longines has drawn inspiration from a 1940s watch model to create The Longines Heritage Military. True to the original lines of a timepiece designed for the British Royal Air Force, this sleek, reimagined watch belongs to a timeless style that has made the winged hourglass brand famous. To reproduce the original timekeeper’s patina, the dial on the military watch has been hand sprayed with tiny black droplets, making each and every piece unique.
Proud to celebrate its history and achievements, Longines is expanding its Heritage collection with a reimagined military model from the 1940s. The Longines Heritage Military draws its inspiration from a watch created for members of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Stanley Turner, a highly-decorated radiotelegraph operator aboard an RAF aircraft during the Second World War, wore this model around his wrist. The watch once owned by Mr Turner was recovered and offered to the Swiss brand by a young English collector, who inspired the current reissue. Thus, Longines is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RAF in its own way.
With its minimalist design and 38.5 mm diameter, The Longines Heritage Military flawlessly adheres to the refined aesthetic and spirit of the period timepiece which, at the time, measured 32.5 mm. Its oversized winding crown evokes the original watch’s ease of handling.
The Longines Heritage Military also displays a silver, opaline dial with a subtle mist of fine droplets in black paint. This process, a first for Longines and performed entirely by hand, makes each and every piece unique while mimicking the oxidation found on the original. Despite housing an automatic movement, this timekeeper is the only piece in Longines’ current collections that do not carry the “Automatic” label on its dial in order to preserve the spirit of the 1940s.
Remaining true to the watch worn by Stanley Turner and his RAF colleagues, The Longines Heritage Military features a curved, fully polished bezel and box-form sapphire crystal. The steel casing that houses the automatic movement (L888.2) comes with a green, aged leather watch strap, and a Nato strap in the same shades. Both versions of the strap are provided with each timepiece, along with the required replacement tool, all of which come in a case specially designed for the occasion.
The Longines Heritage Military L2.819.4.93.2
The Longines Heritage Military displays a silver, opaline dial with a subtle mist of fine droplets in black paint. True to the original lines of a timepiece designed for the British Royal Air Force, this sleek reimagined watch with its 38.50 mm diameter case comes with a green, aged leather watchstrap. Despite housing an automatic movement (L888.2), this watch is the only piece in Longines’ current collections that do not carry the “Automatic” label on its dial in order to preserve the spirit of the 1940s.
The Longines Heritage Military – original
The watch from which The Longines Heritage Military draws its inspiration is a 1940’s model originally dedicated to the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Stanley Turner, a highly-decorated radiotelegraph operator aboard an RAF aircraft during the Second World War, wore this model around his wrist. The watch once owned by Mr. Turner was recovered and offered to the Swiss brand by a young English collector, who inspired the current reissue.
The Longines Heritage Military Technical specifications
Reference Number: L2.819.4.93.2
Calibre:
- Mechanical self-winding movement
- Calibre L888.2 (ETA A31.L01)
- 111/2 lines, 21 jewels, 25’200 vibrations per hour
- Power reserve: 64 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Case: Round, stainless steel
Dial: Silvered Opaline with vintage spraying, 12 Arabic numerals
Hands: Blued steel
Water-resistant: To 3 bar (30m)
Glass: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Straps: Green calf leather and Green Nato