In collaboration with Longines
Hands-on: Longines Legend Diver 36 & 42mm in new colours
Longines released a series of new colours for its classic diver Legend Diver a couple of months ago. Just in time for the holidays, we at Eqotime got to see the new pieces in a collaboration with Longines. The Legend Diver is one of Longines' best selling watches and has been in the range since 2007.
Text:/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic
Longines released a range of new colours for their classic diver's watch Legend Diver a couple of months ago. Just in time before the holidays we at Eqotime got to take part in the new releases in a collaboration with Longines.
The Legend Diver is one of Longines' best selling watches and has been in the range since 2007. Up until 2018 it was manufactured exclusively in the larger size of 42mm but was subsequently released in a size of 36mm. Let us take a look at the new releases for 2022!
Legend Diver 36 Beige & Blue
Let us start with the two smaller watches where the completely new colour beige is introduced (blue has existed previously in the larger size).
The model measures, as the name indicates, 36mm in diameter, has a thickness of 11,9mm and a measurement from lug to lug of 45mm. A nice size for those of us with slightly smaller wrists who find the one in 42mm a little too big and long on the wrist. The case has the classic ”supercompressor” design with two crowns on the right side – the upper one to operate the diving ring that sits on the inside of the crystal instead of (for the most part) on top of the case and the lower one to set the time and date.
Inside the watch ticks Longines' calibre L592, which is a modified ETA movement with 45h power reserve. The watches are water resistant down to 300m.
The watches are delivered on matching straps in synthetic of a canvas type with a pin buckle in steel and they wear comfortably on the wrist.
What is new for this year is thus the dials, where three new choices were launched in the 36mm size. Apart from blue and beige a wine red dial was also launched, which is really lovely.
All of the dials have a so-called fumé effect, where the colour is at its lightest in the centre and gradually becomes darker and darker to then turn black. This was a common sight during the slightly more funky 1970s but in recent years has become more and more popular among many brands such as Audemars Piguet, H. Moser & Cie and others.
The indexes are painted and there are markings on the dial with SuperLuminova as well as in the hands in order to be able to read the watch in the dark.
Longines Legend Diver 42 Grey
In the larger size they launched two new colours on the dial – grey and beige. The grey colour is only found in the larger size but it would not surprise us if it is launched in the smaller size going forward (just like the blue colour).
So here we have a diver of 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 12,7mm and a length of 52mm. This watch is true to the original from the 1960s in its design and was launched in 2007 as part of their Heritage collection. This model too is water resistant down to 300m and is driven by Longines' calibre L888, which is also a modified ETA movement with a somewhat sharper power reserve than its smaller sibling at 72h.
Unlike the smaller versions, this model comes on a synthetic strap in the style of a ”NATO-strap”. These types of straps mean that the watch builds another couple of millimetres in height. We would rather have seen a strap in canvas like the other models but a strap change is usually the easiest problem to fix.
Summing-up thoughts
The editorial staff likes the new colours and above all that there are now more options for the smaller size (previously there were only black and a mother-of-pearl dial). The watches are well built, have reliable movements and offer a perfect watch for the holidays with a dash of colour.
Read more about the watches at Longines.
Technical specifications
Brand: Longines
Model: Legend Diver 36
Reference number: L3.374.4.90.2 (blue) L3.374.4.30.2 (beige) L3.374.4.40.2 (wine red)
Diameter: 36mm
Thickness: 11,9mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Dial: Fumé dial in blue or beige
Water resistance: 300m
Bracelet: Synthetic with a pin buckle in steel
Movement: L592
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 45h
Winding: Automatic
Price: 24,450kr
Brand: Longines
Model: Legend Diver 42
Reference number: L3.774.4.70.2 (grey) & L3.774.4.30.2 (beige)
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 12,7mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Dial: Fumé dial in grey or beige
Water resistance: 300m
Bracelet: Synthetic ”NATO-strap” with a pin buckle in steel
Movement: L888
Complications: Date
Power reserve: 72h
Winding: Automatic
Price: 24,450kr
