Introducing: The Longines Flagship Heritage
What We Know
In the event that Longines’ recent releases might have you forgetting the brand’s competency for making traditional and elegant dress watches, they just released a handsome reminder via three new Flagship Heritage models. This new trio of steel-case models takes the Flagship Heritage form and integrates a sub-dial at six that has both a moonphase and a date complication.
Offered in opaline silver with gold-tone accents or either silver or blue with white-metal accents, these new moonphase-equipped Flagship Heritage models are 38.5mm wide and 12.4mm thick. With 30 meters of water resistance and color-matched alligator straps, these Flagship models have closed casebacks that feature a Flagship medallion.
Inside these smaller cases, Longines has fitted their L899.5 automatic movement, which is based on an ETA caliber and offers 72 hours of power reserve, a silicon balance spring, and a rate of 25,200 vph. The additional complication is set into a sub-dial, along with the date, at a balanced position that fits the Flagship style rather nicely and draws on aesthetic elements from brands like Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
With lovely domed dials, these dressy Longines will set you back $3,050 for any of the three variations.
What We Think
The Flagship line draws its lineage from the 1950s, and, some 70+ years later, Longines has continued to maintain the mid-century appeal of the line by focusing on simple and elegant designs with solid movements and a generally fuss-free experience on-wrist. And while the formula here is far from new (hint: that’s kind of the point of the Flagship line), the 38.5mm sizing is a welcome evolution.
Even if you tend to prefer a somewhat larger watch, the sizing does suit the dressy vibe rather nicely, even if the 12.4mm thickness reads as more than I would have expected. That said, we’ve not yet had a chance to see these new models in person, so stay tuned for a Hands-On in the future. Also of note for the sizing is that Longines says they have shortened the lugs; we’ll measure when we get the chance but a shorter lug to lug is almost always a good thing.
All told this is Longines doing the Flagship thing as they always have – offering a well-made example of a classic dress watch format with a modern movement ticking inside. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but if you’re the dressy type, it’s almost certainly worth a closer look.
The Basics
Brand: Longines
Model: Flagship Heritage Moon Phase
Reference Number: L4.815.4.78.2, L4.815.4.72.2, L4.815.4.92.2
Diameter: 38.5mm
Thickness: 12.4mm
Case Material: Steel
Dial Color: Opaline silver, sunray silver, or sunray blue
Indexes: Applied
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Color-matched alligator strap with steel pin-buckle
The Movement
Caliber: Longines L899.5
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moon phase, and date
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 vph
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Silicon balance spring and magnetic resistant
Pricing & Availability
Price: $3,050
Limited Edition: No
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The Hodinkee shop is an authorized retailer of Longines watches.
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