Longines?s Master Collection Retrograde has an exclusive movement with no less than four retrograde functions. How does it hold up under WatchTime?s exacting scrutiny" Find out in this in-depth watch test from our archives.

When Longines made the decision to add to its classically styled Master Collection line a complicated watch with multiple retrograde displays, it considered several options for where it would get that watch?s movement. The brand, a member of the Swatch Group, covers the mid-range price niche, bridging the gap between lower-priced Tissot and Hamilton and higher-priced Omega, and its budget for movement-making is accordingly limited. Thus, the simplest option would have been to use an existing base movement from ETA ? the movement supplier that is Longines?s sister company in the Swatch Group ? and add a module from a specialist such as Dubois Dépraz. However, Longines CEO Walter Van Känel wanted an all-new movement for the Master Collection Retrograde ? one that would be exclusive to Longines ? and directed the specialists at ETA to create one. For its part, ETA welcomed the challenge, using as its canvas the Valgranges line of calibers, descendants of the classic Valjoux 7750, which are known for their large size and reliable rate performance. The results were not one but two reliable, user-friendly and, above all, high-performance calibers, each of which uses the traditional cam-and-rack construction. Version A07L21 (designated Caliber L698.2 by...