With reissued models of watches comes the charm of the past. Why we love vintage timepieces has something to do with the story, history, and background of these watches. The vintage aesthetic of old timepieces is not only visually appealing but also provides opportunities to create in-depth conversations with those who are curious enough to comment on them, or those who are in the same interest. Being able to say “that’s how it all started” or “that’s how it became known today” would make you feel like you lived ages to be qualified to retell the history. But even for the younger members of today’s modernized society who were not able to witness such a time- being able to feel part of the history by looking at a wristwatch is a priceless experience they appreciate.

And there’s nothing like vintage watches to take us back. Especially divers watches. So if you’re looking for a reissue of divers to let you harken back to the days, we recommend you check out the Longines Legend Diver. 

1. Super Compressor Design

Longines is known to have been the most successful in remaking their watches. When you say reissues, Longines Watches are the ones that set the standard, do justice to homages, and cut above the rest. Most of us would think that a chunkier diver's watch is more functional, but that’s not always the case. Back then, people had no rhyme or reason for what works, and everything was still experimental. So was the case with watches. So, in the late 1950s to early 1970s, Ervin Piquerez designed a case that tightens the case seal of a watch, as it submerges into deeper water, basically letting force from water pressure keep the watch protected. The design is called Supercompressor. This case design, compared to the usual outer bezel of diver watches, is more reliable. With this case design, the bezel is located inside the outer side of the dial, and instead of rotating the bezel itself, the wearer uses a crown to control the bezel. However, since having the bezel outside is the typical way divers are made more popular to the mass, that is what becomes commonly used. The Longines Legend Diver is one of the few to apply the super compressor case design. The watch has twin crowns placed at the right side of the case and has a hatched finish on the outer surface as a nod to the original compressor watch. Its upper crown, at 2 o’clock, rotates the inner bezel, and the second crown placed at 4 o’clock adjusts the time, date, and mechanism inside. The bezel via the crown is easy to align, and in rotating it, you will hear a subtle audible click. 

2. Design

The face of the Longines Legend Divers watch retains the 1960s divers watch look but at the same time has contemporary perks. Its dial has a black lacquer polish, while the hour and minute markers are printed in off-white-Arabic numerals, and a simple outlined date window with a black date disc is also at 3 o’clock. The central hands are distinctively Longines, with the hour hand in an arrow shape, the minute hand in baton style, and the second’s hand with the longest tip. All three are polished steel. The hands are applied with Superluminova to match the markers on the dial. The rectangular markers have a small square lume to compliment the lume in the central hands. And in Longines fashion, all details add a subtle finish to the face of the dial. The logo of the brand is at noon and printed in off-white. The word automatic is printed in vintage script at 6 o’clock, giving the watch a minimal classy appeal. Its dial outskirts have hash marks and dots, also in off-white to measure the diving time and other everyday activity. Overall, the watch achieves a retro-modern look that makes it a handsome diver’s watch. 

3. Case Dimensions, Features, and Bracelet

This diver’s watch has a dressy side as well as a sporty function, both dictated by the watch’s case size and bracelet. The choice of size of the Legends Diver leans heavily to the legible feel of its original form, with its 42-millimeters case size, 22-millimeters lug to lug, and thickness of 12. 70-millimeters. The watch has a 36-millimeter case size variation, the more readable case size is practically more preferable in terms of legibility. Except if you have a smaller wrist size. The bracelet paired with this diverse watch is meshed up and works well with the design. And despite being a notorious-hair-pulling kind of strap, the meshed bracelet is comfortable to wear. It has a sturdy clasp, with several micro points for adjustment and a fold-over lock with a secure two-button release. The case is then consistently highly polished and has simple case architecture with its step design. Finally, to protect the dial is a scratch-resistant pronounced sapphire crystal with several layers of anti-reflective coating on the underside. 

4. Automatic Mechanism

The Legends Divers have a self-winding mechanical movement, an ETA A31L01, beating at 25, 200 per hour, and 3.5 hertz. This is a caliber exclusively designed for Longines by ETA. This mechanism has 72 hours of power reserve and allows a clean sweep of the second hand. Flipping the watch you will see that the caliber is protected by a case back decorated with a scuba diver with a harpoon, with a blasted back to finish that harkens back to its origins.

In Conclusion

Longines can remake their watches while paying homage to the original and improve wearing experiences by expertly adding modern components to make the watch comfortable and functional in today’s time. The design captures a contemporary balance and its refinement speaks of a vintage era, and with its supercompressor case design, it is truly a diver’s watch in its league. If you want to look at more Longines wristwatches and find the retro-inspired timepiece that suits you, check out WatchShopping.com. It’s a reliable dealer of luxury watches that are positively rated for their dedicated customer service, swift, and easy process, and assurance of quality, authentic timepieces. Find your Longines watch at WatchShopping.com today!