Introducing: The Longines Mini DolceVita Goes Gold
What We Know
Longines has just expanded its Mini DolceVita offering to include a lineup of models crafted in 18-carat yellow and rose gold – an indulgent upgrade to its existing stainless steel offering. Miniaturized yet meticulously detailed, these watches are small, shiny, and very Art Deco. Go figure.
According to Longines, the Mini DolceVita family, introduced in 2023, draws its essence from the tank-shaped model (seen below) created in 1927, showcasing the brand’s rich heritage in jewelry-adjacent watches. This year, Longines brings us four new models that push this line even further into a category of its own. The rectangular cases measure a very modest 21.5mm by 29mm. The dials have a soft, silvered surface with an intricate flinqué decoration – a textured geometric pattern that catches the light just enough to reveal the delicate guilloché effect. Painted blue Roman numerals and slim blued steel hands add a graphic contrast. At six o’clock, a small seconds subdial provides a vintage nod, balancing the layout with a hint of old-world charm. It’s minimal but rich. Perhaps a touch busy, but refined nonetheless.
The Longines from 1927 that “serves as inspiration” for the modern DolceVita collection.
Available on the 106-link gold bracelet set with 38 Top Wesselton diamonds or black leather strap, these petite timepieces are all powered by an L178 quartz movement and include a water resistance up to 30 meters. With a starting price of $5,975 for the leather-strap models and $25,000 for the diamond-set, gold-bracelet versions, the Mini DolceVita is priced just slightly below its little red box competitor – although not by much.
What We Think
It’s the year of the gold Mini (see here and here if you don’t believe me). The timing of this new bite-sized DolceVita in gold is bang-on. But while small watch fever is certainly still burning, I have to be candid for a moment: What makes the new Mini DolceVita relevant enough to succeed in today’s Cartier-saturated watch market?
Given the shared Art Deco spirit of the brands and their similar price points, surely it makes sense to address the obvious Panthère shaped elephant in the room? The Mini DolceVita is a well-designed, neatly packaged offering from a brand I’ve always wanted to champion but never felt truly resonated with me. Today, I think that may be changing. Some of us gravitate towards the Prada bag (me), while others prefer the more understated (but still legit and luxurious) bag from a brand like Khaite. In an era where everyone’s wearing the same designer bag, pair of shoes, and watch on repeat, being low-key feels like you’re silently winning.
Whoever launches a mini watch with a mini manual movement will get very large bonus points from me. So far Cartier, AP, and now Longines are resting on their battery-powered laurels. Which certainly makes sense from a value prop standpoint for these large brands who are catering to a crowd that might not always prioritize mechanical movements.
Noticing the price tag on the Mini DolceVita might give you pause, and understandably so. While these pieces sit closer in cost to some of the very popular offerings from competitors, it’s worth a reminder: the surge in gold prices has inevitably shaped the price of any jewelry watch crafted in precious metal.
The Basics
Brand: Longines
Model: Mini DolceVita Gold 2024
Reference Number: L5.200.6.71.0 (yellow gold with black alligator strap); L5.200.7.71.6 (yellow gold with gold bracelet); L5.200.8.71.0 (rose gold with black alligator strap); L5.200.9.71.6 (rose gold with gold bracelet)
Diameter: 21.50 mm x 29.00 mm
Thickness: 6.75 mm
Case Material: 2N 18k yellow gold and 5N 18k rose gold
Dial Color: Silver
Lume: N/A
Water Resistance: 30 m
Strap/Bracelet: Yellow gold or rose gold bracelet with triple security clasp; black alligator leather with yellow or rose gold tongue buckle
Caliber: Quartz L178
Pricing & Availability
Price: Yellow gold and rose gold bracelet models: $25,000; yellow gold and rose gold models on leather strap: $5,975
Availability: Now
For more, click here.
Hodinkee