For a number of years now, Longines have been making good use of their archives, putting out hit after hit inspired by watches that span the entirety of the brand?s storied life. Longines’ latest for 2020 takes us all the way back to 1946 with a chronograph inspired by a real gem from their back catalog ? introducing the Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946.

Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946

Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: Silver and blue-steel hands
Dimensions: 40mm
Crystal: Sapphire with multiple layers of AR coating
Water Resistance: 3 bar
Crown: Push/pull
Movement: Longines Cal. L895.5 (ETAA31.L21)
Strap/Bracelet: Black leather
Price: £2,490
Reference: L2.827.4.73.0
The source of inspiration for the Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946 dates back to a time when Longines were producing some of the finest chronographs around. Ask any collector about the fabled Cal. 13ZN, and you?ll likely hear them described as being some of the best chronograph movements ever made. It was also a larger movement for the time, and the resulting watches were therefore bigger as well, which makes them all the more desirable to collectors today.
The 1946 doesn?t flaunt a groundbreaking design; aesthetically speaking, it?s a relatively faithful recreation of the historical model. But that?s not to say it isn?t stunning. It has a clean, almost sparse look that works well with the ornate numerals and blued steel hands. The biggest visual difference with the...