Longines is a brand with not only a rich heritage, but also quite an extensive current collection. A staple since its launch in 1992 is La Grande Classique. The name couldn’t have been more suitable, as this model truly embodies the core values of a dress watch. Its design is very pure, with a clean dial, two hands, a slim bezel, and lugs that embrace the strap or bracelet from the sides. The stick hands seem to be almost painted on the dial, which in the current collection is combined with either thin Roman numerals, diamond markers, or nothing at all. As Longines also kept the writing on the dial to the bare minimum, is the La Grande Classique an exercise in purity.

While also offered in 24 and 29mm, I focus in this article on the larger 36 and 38mm models. Both are available in quite a few varieties, always in stainless steel, although some combine this with a PVD coating in red or yellow gold. In particular combined with a black leather strap, silver dial, and Roman numerals, these represent the La Grande Classique in its most classic shape. The watch looks almost completely different when you opt for a blue dial with a metal bracelet. While I don’t want to use the term sportive, as it doesn’t go that far, it becomes more of a contemporary dress watch.
The strap or bracelet debate is challenging with the La Grande Classique, as this Longines looks good with both. As we are used to from the brand, the bracelet is well constructed, comforta...