For the best part of a decade, and long before many other watch brands were doing it, Longines has been releasing well-executed heritage-inspired watches to an audience of enthusiastic collectors. The latest in this line of knockout timepieces is the Longines Record Heritage chronograph, which draws inspiration from the function-forward elegance of the 1940s.
With 190 years of history since its original founding, Longines can count more than a couple of historically important watches to its name, specifically within the realm of chronographs in the early 20th century. Not only did Longines create the first chronograph wristwatch in 1913 following the development of the calibre 13.33Z, but it also created the calibre 13ZN that remains widely regarded as one of the most beautiful chronograph movements ever created.
The Longines Record Heritage is undoubtedly a nod to the mid-century chronographs that contained the iconic calibre 13ZN, which was in production from 1936 to 1951, and remains as highly coveted and collectable as ever. Featuring two registers on either side of the dial, alluring gilt hour markers and dial text and a charming stainless steel case, the links between it and vintage references such as the ref. 4974 or ref. 3504 are immediately clear.
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While the Longines Record Heritage isn’t a one-to-one reissue of any specific vintage timepiece, its dial is probably the most historically inspired element of the overall design. Featuring a matte black texture, the dial has straightforward legibility to it thanks to the contrasting gold dial text, hands and applied hour markers, while the chronograph subdials are highlighted with a slight step down onto their concentrically patterned surface.
In a sensible concession to modern tastes, the stainless steel case measures 40mm in diameter with a thickness of 13.8mm, which is slightly larger than its vintage forebears but remains true to the spirit of original proportion and scale. The bezel and tops of the lugs highlight the dial thanks to their polished finish, while the rest of the case has been satin-brushed for a more utilitarian feel. Flipping the watch over and you’ll find a sapphire crystal caseback, which is tested to guarantee the watch to 30m of water resistance, as well as offering a look at the movement within.
Powering the Longines Record Heritage is the calibre L895.4, the sibling of which can be found inside a number of other chronographs including the Longines Heritage Classic Tuxedo. Ticking away at 28,800vph, the L895.4 is COSC certified for improved accuracy, features a silicone balance spring for better reliability and serves up 59 hours of power reserve.
The Longines Record Heritage arrives with two options to secure the watch to your wrist, with a warmly toned brown leather strap if you prefer it dressed up a little, and a stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp for a slightly sportier look. This isn’t the first time Longines has offered more than one strap or bracelet option with the brand’s heritage watches, but it’s one thing we certainly hope doesn’t change anytime soon.
For the Record Heritage, Longines isn’t rewriting the playbook, but continuing its run of well-made and thoughtfully designed timepieces that call back to decades gone by. Taking cues from one of the most important chapters in the history of Longines as a brand, the Record Heritage chronograph fuses the best of archival design with contemporary watchmaking into a package that would look great everywhere from the office to your favourite brunch spot.
The Longines Record Heritage is currently available from Longines boutiques and online, with an RRP of $4,650.
This article is sponsored by Longines. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
