Baselworld 2018: The new Longines Legend Diver Black and Master Collection Annual calendar

I've taken a long hiatus and haven't posted regularly for quite some time, but this blog's coming back. It'll be less focused on information and I'll throw in my opinions more. Time to get back into writing articles that'll hopefully be fun and easy to read. 

L2.910.4.78.3

Longines has always placed an emphasis on performance/price balance when it comes to the Master Collection, this year they've added another new watch, the Master Collection Annual Calendar. The company's  "Flagship" collection, as Longines calls it, was launched in 2005 and since then, the Master Collection has never seen a watch with an annual calendar complication. In fact, Longines had yet to release a watch in any collection with this feature.  Seeking to add a watch that would be able to target buyers looking for either the added convenience of not needing to worry about changing the date on a month without 31, 3o, or even 28 days, or those looking for an entry-level watch with features beyond the time and date, Longines released these classically-inspired timepieces at Baselworld 2018. 

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L2.910.4.77.6

L2.910.4.51.7

L2.910.4.92.6

L2.910.4.78.3

Looking at other watches in the collection, it's fairly clear that this watch won't retail for much more than $2,000 USD, a more-than-reasonable price for a watch from a brand as well-established as Longines. Although they differ greatly in appearance, each watch has the same basic technical specifications. They all contain the same Longines L897 movement, an automatic caliber based off of the ETA A31.L81, which is further based off of the ETA 2892-A2 from what I could find. Additionally, each has the same 40mm stainless steel case and regardless of whether they are finished by a leather strap or metal bracelet, they all have a folding clasp. 

You can find everything you might want to know by heading over to Longines' website's official page for this watch. 

L3.774.2.50.9

Forging onward with a new take on what is possibly my favorite Longines model, the Legend Diver has been released in Black PVD this year. It retains essentially every feature from the original, but for anyone that needs a refresher here are the basics.

L3.774.2.50.9

 It has a 42mm case with an internal rotating bezel controlled by the two-o'clock crown. It is based off of the Longines Diver (references 7042, 7150, 7494, and 7594) from the 1960's with nearly every detail carried over and improved upon. The movement, a Caliber L888.2 is built off of the ETA A31.L01 (based on the ETA 2892-A2), is automatic with a 64-hour power reserve and exclusive to Longines. Based on the steel model with the Milanese strap, expect this watch to be  a few hundred dollars more, probably around $2,600 US. Get your info over here on Longines' website and scroll through some of the pages to see their other novelties not mentioned in this article. Everything beyond here is opinion, no other information presented if that's what you were interested in.

If I'm being honest I think the Legend Diver with the steel case might be more versatile in terms of straps it can be worn on, but a nice brown or dark brown leather strap would work damn well with this watch, so long as the wearer didn't intend on swimming that day. Although they're excessively comfortable, I'm not a big fan of Milanese straps. I think this watch overall looks good, but for me personally, and although there are many people who like black-on-black or blackout watches, were it not for the dial this watch would have too little variation. I'd absolutely buy this watch with every intention of throwing it onto a leather strap if I had the option though are just not my style. ​