The Value Watch Brand Edging Out Tudor and Omega

[@bernardhossmoto]

The new lineup from Longines is BEAUTIFUL. Every single model. The prices have also increased by a lot, though.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

Except their all too big

[@cartorius]

@@turnbasedtoddy7664 that's been kind of the style for the last two decades though.. 40mm is the new 36mm. and to be fair vintage divers that are 36mm look kinda squat.. the bezels look ultra thick on them because of how small the dial is. the only time I really want a 36 or 38 is in a dress watch where the dial is pretty much the whole watch.

[@Treviscoe]

@@cartorius As someone with smallish wrists myself I think you're right.

[@Supercruze]

Longines is doing a terrific job of recapturing market share. I picked up a beautiful Longines Big Eye Avigation Chronograph in steel last year. Could not be happier with presentation, fit and finish.

[@dukes70]

Love that watch, one of my favs in my collection!

[@GrumblingForesight]

Thank you for making this video. With their combination of their arguably unbeatable heritage coupled with they’ve done lately, Longines (both vintage, and new) certainly deserves to be talked about more often.

[@HRM.H]

Vintage Longines has been my go-to brand for the last year or so. Just such incredible value for money. In the pre-swatch group era they had a wide array of inhouse movements aswell, im a big fan of the calibre L990.

[@Chrono24Official]

Absolutely. There’s also so much imagination on display in their vintage catalogue.

[@marcn8750]

@@Chrono24Officialnice detailed review Thomas. May I suggest a similar review for GP? Some spectacular neo vintage pieces from them.

[@MegaThucydides]

I'm always curious for these "fallen Angel" brands such as Longines and Omega, firms with an illustrious history of making quality movements pre-1970s. Why is there no financial incentive to "re-create" the historical calibers, just updated with modern tech and materials? Seems a heck-of-a-lot-more interesting and marketable than some variant of ETA that Swatch imposes on the two brands. Omega 321 is the only example that comes to mind, and if it is not incidentally attached to the Moon landing, would the recreation be a reality?

[@jonathanscott5252]

A friend introduced me to Longines a few years back. I always knew of them but paid little attention. He had a Hydroconquest that his wife bought him for Christmas. Looked great and was a ridiculously reasonable price so I bought one - green on a rubber strap. Not long after that, I was walking through The Occulus in NYC during the early days of Covid quarantine being lifted and saw a video ad for the brand new Spirit Zulu Time with the green bezel on leather. Had to have it… so I made that purchase. The Rolexes, Heuers, JLCs, and IWCs still get wrist time… but that Spirit Zulu Time still stands as my workhorse. Gorgeous piece that goes with everything. Next up from them is an Avigation Bigeye in Titanium with the blue dial. That blue is stunning.

[@mytuberforyou]

The Hydroconquest is a good looking watch but I have to wonder who drafted the crown guards.

[@jonathanscott5252]

@@mytuberforyou I have noticed that they have changed them on the new Hydroconquest GMT.

[@eurovnik]

Longines deserve a lot of praise for keeping their archive search service free unlike Omega. They are also super helpful and responsive. I had a watch that they couldn't identify from the photos I sent and they worked with me to get close-ups of parts of the movement which would enable them to identify it. Top notch customer service. My only caveat with vintage Longines is that because they were a proud, independent, ground-breaking company for so long, parts can be an absolute nightmare. Even things which are generic consumables for other vintage watches like mainsprings. Longines had a phase where they manufactured mainspring and barrel as a single sealed, disposable unit and.... those units are not longer available.

[@jayjayhooksch1]

In the future, will it be the case with modern Longines that parts will be hard to source as well? Or is this something about their vintage stock? I ask because I'm looking to buy two watches, one that each of my kids can eventually inherit, and I don't want to go with a brand that will have parts hard to source decades from now.

[@stevetrotter6584]

I have 3 Longines. I had an individual tour of their museum in Switzerland and I can only praise the variety and quality of their watches.

[@dasein43]

Vintage and Modern Longines are some of my favorites. Impressive heritage and quality. And great review, thank you!

[@BAF605]

I have a Hydroconquest that has served me well for ten years. They are definitely a brand on the up and one I must revisit .

[@craiglibby1224]

Absolutely Longines is underrated, under appreciated and under valued. Fantastic price-to-value!

[@GordonMoat]

I have a vintage Longines Grand Prize automatic, the one with white face and beveled numerals. It was a little tough to get serviced, because the dome “crystal” needs a special tool to take the movement out the front of the case. Looks wonderful, runs great, though I don’t wear it much on my large wrist.

[@henryzwartz5171]

Guys, this is the best video you have done in this series. Excellent research and clearly a lot of thought went into this. Your suggestions were fantastic and interesting. Thank you so much! Cheers.

[@CaptainWillard830]

Nice video! I picked up my first Longines this past weekend. A 42mm Spirit Zulu Time, black bezel, dark blue dial, on stainless steel bracelet. Local AD’s rep was a true watch guy. We talked for an hour about watches, YT influencers, while I tried on 6 different Longines models. Fun experience and great customer service. They threw in a Longines ball cap, and packaged my purchase with care, in a beautiful bag. Oh, the box the watch came in is beautiful. A faux redwood branded box, worth keeping out in my home office to stare at 🎉

[@balthus9265]

Recently got my first Longines, Zulutime, flying GMT, 39 mm case, nice finish, very comfortable on the wrist. I did considered the Tudor Pro, the Longines is just slimmer, prettier and surprisingly cheaper. Excellent cost/benefit ratio.

[@Chrono24Official]

Thickness is definitely the prime complaint about the BB Pro

[@stocksxbondage]

This was my exact thought process, to include I appreciated Longines’ history over Tudor’s.

[@fraserp2377]

This was such an enjoyable video. So well put together and presented.

[@DrWesterdahl]

Love Longines. It is my favorite watch brand and I own seven different Longines watches in my watch collection. I love the value for the price that Longines offers which allows me to own several different Longines watches, to have an appropriate Longines watch to wear for different occasions and activities in my lifestyle.

[@martinkaplan1805]

Love the look of that Legend Diver. And that 39mm in black is perfect (for me, of course, as “You’re Terrific” would say).

[@auxiliary4023]

I recently purchased the Longines titanium Spirit Flyback. Beautiful watch and despite lots of negativity about the 17mm thickness online, it actually sits well down into my 8"+ wrist and appears no more than 13mm. So, grade 5 titanium, flyback function, COSC, Quick release bracelet, and the most beautiful dial and domed crystal for £5K! It would cost me another £1.5K to get a bog standard Omega Speedy! Longines are producing some get new watches the last few years.

[@justinlowe337]

Great video. I have become a huge fan of Longines and they are not overrated in my opinion. They have beautiful designs and really take time to create well made, well polished, and accurate time pieces. They are not in my collection yet but they will be in the future!

[@rava2107]

you are telling the collectors what we have known for years, I personally was into Longine more than forty years ago. Even then, it was only people in the know who knew just how good they were, and now they are going through the back catalogue. They are showing just how good they are, and it's nice to see a younger generation noticing them like the company has come out of nowhere.

[@DWilliam1]

I bought the 42mm Zulu when it first came out and it is a high quality watch. The leather strap is top notch and is one of the best I have ever scene in terms of adjustment and fit and finish. The bracelet is a bit cheaper compared with the watch itself and the strap. Overall really like it, even though it is at the limit, size wise, of what I wear. Might have gone with the 39mm if it was out, but even so, the proportions aren’t the same. Longines has stepped up their game recently and make nice, overall watches.

[@stocksxbondage]

I’ve got the 39mm. I must say if your wrist can pull off the 42mm, THAT’S the one to have. They released the 42mm first for a reason and its legibility and proportions were perfect to me. I settled for the 39mm simply because I have a 17cm wrist. Due to the long lugs, the 42mm barely fit me.

[@DWilliam1]

@@stocksxbondage I can just pull it off. I have a couple of other 42mm watches(Breitling SOH and Chronomat), but they wear smaller and it is because they don’t have those elongated lugs. Anyway, thanks for giving me some insight into the 39mm. Wear it well.

[@Roland_4012]

In my opinion, Longines isn’t bad but also not on the same level as Tudor or Omega when it comes to fit & finish and movements. When looking on the relationship between Longine and Omega, to me this makes perfect sense since both brands have their specific niche in the Swatch Group lineup.

[@CarlosGambino_22]

tudor are way overrated and are definitely not on par with omega

[@m.m.1508]

im actually happy that Longines remains underrated... god forbid they become unaffordable due to their popularity..

[@TheTejanoJose]

Very good content, keep it coming. I may be biased here, because I'm owning the 1988 Hour Angle Charles Lindbergh, ref. 989.52 on the original steel bracelet, since 1990. Such a nice piece. Hence, this is my favorite Longines watch.

[@Tourist1967]

Linbergh, though. A slightly tainted name.

[@Dazulolwarrior]

I really wished i was there when longines were at the top. Nowadays they're absolutely crushing the competition in their price range. If I'm not mistaken they are always one of the top 5 watch brands in terms of sales so they must be doing something right. I do wish they were allowed by the swatch group to go wild and flex on their muscles though.

[@stocksxbondage]

According to Italian Watch Spotter, #5 Patek #6 Richard Mille #7 Longines #8 IWC Longines did sell 1.7m units (most out of the top 10) whereas Rolex sold 1.2m units.

[@HRM.H]

They sold their muscle to Frederic Piguet and Lemania.

[@isaacc154]

I gifted my dad a 41 mm conquest automatic. Couldn’t find anything else for that price matching the quality and the appearance. Plus the 300 m water resistance made it great for his everyday use.

[@waltersjohn6339]

I wish everyone would shut up about Longines. I LOVE Longines. I have appreciated the heritage and craftsmanship since I began collecting watches. Best of all, they were affordable luxury. They were a "horological secret" that I could buy and enjoy. If everyone on KZbin doesnt stop praising them and talking about how they are "underrated" the prices are going to shoot up....think JLC.

[@howardmckenna]

Unsung heroes! Always solid pieces that fly under the radar.

[@GregoryIngle]

Longines has been on fire for a few years now. Absolutely smoking Tudor and Omega

[@melodicchronic5181]

I've personally always held Longines in the highest regard. If I could afford a massive collection of any watches, I would absolutely start with Longines.

[@johnkidd797]

Only have one Longines, it's a 1957 flagship in 18k and it's in incredible condition. Certainly not my most expensive watch but it makes me feel like a billionaire when I wear it.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@barryvercueil2346]

Good video. Longines prices have been creeping up but I believe they are still good value for money. The Big eye is definitely my favorite.

[@TheGrenadier97]

KZbinrs should stop that nonsense of using "cheap" and "affordable" when it isn't, at least not for 99% of the world. State the price in the title or thumbnail and leave the judgement to the viewers.

[@chubbs1448]

I recently bought a Longines as my first luxury piece. Took a while for me to save up and a lot of hard work. In other words, I could not agree with you more.

[@elijahdaves1305]

That's a horrible suggestion. Doing that would cut the view rate in half or more. Telling a person to do a bad business decision is easy when your paycheck doesn't depend on it.

[@TheGrenadier97]

Here's another suggestion: don't depend on something like KZbin, and don't act as if it's everyone' problem.

[@pandabear1576]

You don’t leave the judgment to anybody. They use the words relative to the market for watches. Affordable means under 5K. Cheap is what you’d find on Amazon or something so under 500

[@TheGrenadier97]

"Affordable" doesn't mean that.

[@VOByRobbins]

Longines is an amazing company, got my lady the Dolce vita a few years ago and I always drool over it's beauty--- a hydroconquest is almost in my grasp--- Yup, I'm a fan of this brand and agree--- "Don't sleep" on this brand!!!

[@angrypenguin956]

I own the Legend Diver in the bronze case/green dial, and it's a stunner. Even if their prices increase, they still offer good value compared to many other brands.

[@rhino202]

I've always liked their legend diver. Looks amazing

[@BFit25]

Great original content. Love that specific reference tank you showed. In the modern collection my favorites are the heritage sector, blue big eye chrono, and Spirit 37 champagne.

[@gori277]

Excellent video. I have a Longines problem and not even delving into vintage… one can get lost very easily!

[@blubarry83]

Oh boy, you struck a nerve! Longines is a brand I want to love, I really do. I own a Longines, it was a graduation present, it is a beautiful watch and I am fortunate enough to have it. But, they always fall short when it comes to the wearing experience. The Longines I have is a Spirit Chronograph. It is top heavy, the bracelet doesn't fit my wrist well causing the watch to bounce up and down my wrist. Plus the watch is so think that it catches on my long sleeve shirts. Even their modern pieces have this flow. I noticed the Zulu time suffers from the same experience. Tudor, in contrast, offers a perfect wearing experience.

[@gregcapella5941]

Longines is doing a terrific job

[@garymclaughlin4457]

Fabulous watches. I may get one . Fond of vintage but the modern are so nice also. Great presentation and thanks from Ireland.

[@kvom01]

I own a Master Collection triple date chronograph/moon phase from 2017. I wear it in rotation, and really enjoy it. It was my travel watch originally but superseded by a GS GMT.

[@johnburgess6572]

Thank you for this. This brand is amazing !

[@michealhoulihan513]

Love the video and the pics. I've been a longines guy forever . I have 5 longines, new and old. I always consider them to be very under rated and one of the best values for money

[@krasnaludek298]

I have a Longines Legend Diver & agree completely; it’s a timepiece that punches above its price in terms of quality, style, & overall execution.

[@dinodavanzo8536]

Excellent video. Longines hugely underrated. Had one in my collection but now gone. Won’t be long till they’re back in my collection. Problem is deciding which one, or two, or three…

[@johnm5131]

the advantage of some of the "lower" brands is that they have great service. Try speaking to Patek and you'll feel like a peasant. If they have a quality issue, they blame you. My Longines experiences have been shockingly good, as have those with Zenith. 2 Underappreciated brands.

[@Antenox]

They don't even have to be lower brands, just not hype beast ones.

[@daneconnelly]

I think vintage Longines, pre swatch group, has some amazing value. Particularly in yellow gold. I pulled the trigger on a 34mm 14k yellow gold piece from the 60's last year. It has a great dial and solid gold, art deco, arabic numerals. I do wish they had more variety of case shapes in the modern collection. The modern dulce vida mens collection is not quite right. I hope we get some updating.

[@petrolhead007]

Longines deserve more recognition and airtime. I'd say that they don't match the Omega and Tudor movements for accuracy but their dials are beautiful. And they have some very interesting model with enough variety.

[@eddiehernandez651]

Longines the world's most honored watch 😎

[@kofiofosu9051]

Great watch maker. Might get a master collection one day.

[@bridgeandcannon6974]

Good one. Exposed a lot of sleepers in Longines historical catalong

[@dotsgrey]

I love my heritage conquest, and will be after the legend diver soon enough!

[@Treviscoe]

Longines always used to be on a par with Omega (going back to the late 1970s / early 1980s) anyway, but Omega went upmarket, increased their prices accordingly, more than Longines did.

[@koolpep]

Longines and Tissot are the two swatch group brands that are doing an absolute stellar job the last few years. Could they please show the “how to” to Breguet, Blancpain and Glashuette Original. They could all be so much more with a bit of attention. Thx.

[@Chrono24Official]

Very well said

[@martinkaplan1805]

Nice work! In terms of your question, they’re less known for sure, but I don’t believe they’re underrated. Increasingly they’re being seen as you see them, up and coming (back)!

[@reezevlog]

Longines at 39mm is just perfect……

[@Chrono24Official]

Agreed. It works very well on the new Legend Diver.

[@toneswinger]

I own a Longines record it's a great dress or everyday watch. I would love to get the pilot majetek looks very good The main reason Longines can offer good watches at reasonable prices because it uses ETA movement. When I compare Longines to omega omega wins because of the movements and the higher quality cases and finish

[@beresd]

Agreed. I bought a 1969 Conquest auto for £350 a couple of years ago from Waecce. I love it...one of my favourite pieces. But they are being silly with their prices at the mo. Worth it pre-owned but not at retail.

[@mj-kx2kw]

Longines Master Calendar Chrono is one of the best value watches. It can be a bit busy for some, but I absolutely love the look and all of the specs they crammed into that watch. Totally underrated! However, that Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch is beautiful

[@bestboy897]

i knew this was going to be a longines vid lol. The longines sector is a great daily driver too.

[@anthonyjarrad141]

Love Longines regardless of their pricing or how the market feels about them

[@anthonyw7237]

Longines made the first watch with a rotating steel bezel in 1935 yet peeps claim Longines recently copied Tudor with a watch. They are finally getting the props they deserve. Their vintage models can definitely hang with Patek Phillipe

[@iangibson6871]

Great brand … great video!!! Thanks Thomas !!

[@alfajuj]

I've been wearing a Heritage Conquest as my daily watch for more than 20 years now.

[@talhamughal1739]

Quite an insightful variety proposition. Thank you

[@DPS-Runner_Cyclist]

I love my Hydroconquest….it is a great watch. I proudly wear it alongside my Date-just and Aerospace models from other high-end brands

[@mitchk2981]

Longines is a great brand and makes beautiful watches at multiple price ranges. I would say that even a well to do collector could find something very nice in the Longines brand.

[@locvldelivery6098]

Longines is a brand that you want to like.. But reality is you can't get the image away of it being a "mall" brand watch. Most of them sit in the cases wrapped in plastic, I don't think the boutiques do enough to showcase and display it's actual appeal. Definitely Omega, Tudor or Cartier would still be a first choice over Longines.

[@michaelriera6277]

Unfortunately market placement is crucial in how a brand is perceived. You are absolutely correct and it is only recently that Longines has been trying to change that image. It will take time.

[@phantomphotography7392]

Longines stopped making its own movements in the late 1980s and now uses movements from ETA, a Swiss-based manufacturer owned by the Swatch Group, Longines' parent company. 80% of Longines watches are mechanical, and 20% are quartz. Longines watches are assembled on site, and some say the movements are reliable.

[@3ncrypt3dcod3s]

Longines is pretty cool, especially with their records, which I've also had the chance to use!

[@farragutspikes1]

UltraChron and Majetek are gorgeous

[@Chrono24Official]

If only the Majetek wasn’t 43mm 😢

[@farragutspikes1]

@@Chrono24Official Agree totally. If it were 38-40, I'd already have one.

[@Phil-ci3bd]

I wear a heritage tuxedo- looks good with everything

[@guerrillagourmet]

I have an Oposition Automatic, that was unpopular, and discontinued early. Hoping to score an Admiral later this week.

[@megashega]

New smaller Conquest is everything we wanted :D

[@easygoing7011]

Finally someone who doesn’t worship at all the temples of the brands that have more fakes than originals out there. Longines are terribly underrated and are incredible value for money. And I believe Longines is the oldest trade mark in the world still in use in its original form. What’s not to like. Unfortunately being very thin I cannot wear anything bigger than 36 mm diameter watches comfortably and not many manufacturers cater for scrawny guys like me.

[@spirit5278]

I have the hydro conquest in black with steel strap and it always get compliments but it a lovely watch and gone up in price.

[@ibez07]

used ch24 for 1st time when buying a 2009 tag aquaracer, pretty impressed, watch in great condition, it even gave me control (2 week window) on when to release payment, i did it the day the watch arrived

[@Lawrence64]

Awesome. I'm yet to buy my first Longines. The diver is eye catching.

[@philspencelayh5464]

Interesting video. Longines make some nice but mainly too big (for me) watches. Entry level? In the real world think Casio or Seiko. In the Swatch group they aren't even entry level, Tissot? Certina? Hamilton? Whilst the movements are fine you can't compare them with Tudor or Omega nearly all are either chronometer or Metas certified, the Tudor 1926 is the only exception I can think of.

[@allensmith5156]

Longines are definitely underrated. Long may it continue 🙏

[@private464]

nice video...love my grey/green zulu

[@RichSDet]

The pirate outfit is quite hilarious.

[@maxtelero4904]

I chose Hydroconquest 2024 gmt over Tudor. I have a bb58. But I think Longines are on point

[@davidr2802]

1913 was a year before the start of WW1, not the middle. Just saying.

[@daveho852]

wow, that 4822 is awesome 🎉

[@borjastick]

I had a Longines a few years back and was astonished at the quality and details in the finish especially for the price. But the gorilla in the room is the lug to lug length which for me is too long and makes some of their watches wear too long on the wrist.

[@Chrono24Official]

Very true. Thankfully, Longines seems to be addressing this. For the new Legend Diver, they shrank the case diameter by 3mm (42 to 39) but reduced the lug-to-lug by more than 5mm (52.4 to 47)

[@kiwilonewolf]

Longines is the easiest brand to build a complete collection with, followed in my opinion by Oris. The new Conquest has grown on me - I initially hated the fact they had dropped the numerals - and now I see it as a viable alternative to the Aquaterra.

[@jorgerobles628]

I am a big fan of Cal 431 of which I have nine different models.

[@Swiss_Army_Knife1780]

Severely underrated. . .but. . .a bit lost on current model lineup. I wish that they would reintroduce some of their vintage models. Their current lineup feels restrained and limited with complications. Recently, I purchased the Longines Heritage Pulsometer Chronograph, or the doctor's ⌚, which was discontinued. A nice monopusher chronograph with a pulsometer scale but beautiful execution of a vertical clutch column wheel chronograph mechanism with enamel dial and blued hands. Even those not in the medical field would embrace this vintage inspired look. What about flyback chronograph mechanisms? Longines has one available in the Zulu Spirit lineup? Not for everyone. If any brand has the catalog and wherewithal to flood the market with great ⌚ at relatively less expensive prices, it is Longines. Plus, a Longines, though not supposedly at the same price bracket as Omega, is equally well built and finished. Yes, some bracelet components come from external sources in 🇨🇳, yet they are not bad quality. A Longines is definitely a lifetime time piece.

[@atl3630]

When did 41mm become a little large for a diver? 😂 Anyway , what an entertaining video that was obviously well researched and informative. 🎉

[@Jeff-mv4yy]

I’m new to watch collecting and have been trying to understand what the pricier competitors provide that I cannot get with a longines . Is it the lower prices that dictate the status of “ entry level” . I just got a new Conquest, and can’t imagine better fit and finish . It runs at + 1 sec / day

[@adrianchew5031]

Ok so this is a complete aside: would anyone be able to ID that jacket? Love the contrasted sleeve edges

[@WIS7802]

The Longines with the 13.33z caliber with the Flyback and the two pusher was introduced in 1936.Two years after the 2 pushers chronograph from breitling.

[@Chrono24Official]

I thought similarly before making this video. We’ve linked some thorough research from SJX in the video if you’d like to read more. There are other sources to support this as well.

[@WIS7802]

@@Chrono24Official I've read what sjx has to say about this but I'm not convinced. But I certainly can't be sure. 😀

[@davidc5191]

Mystery dial watch reminds me of those from Mr. Jones.

[@scollyutube]

They are definitely cutting Tudors lunch in the 39mm space. They have already done a titanium Zulu time in 39mm.....if they do a 39m Hydro Conquest GMT next then bam!

[@frankmanitta4870]

I can agree 100%. Strong brand and are oh so cool.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

The problem with modern Longines is they simply make their watches too big. Specifically the lug to lug length.

[@mplant1999]

Longines was on par with Omega and Rolex, pre quartz crisis. Their current position slightly ahead of Tag and below Omega is the result of Swatch Group marketing.

[@MrRevvvhead]

Got my eye on a green conquest, if they release it at 38 or 39mm.

[@mytuberforyou]

I like Longines but if I had to pick an underrated affordable watch brand I would have to give the award to Tissot. Just a case in point, let's take the Longines Hydrococuest vs. the Tissot Sea Star with the silicon spring (Powerrmatic 80 Silicium) - the latter (in house movement) has an 80 hour power reserve and out specs the Hydroconquest in just about every metric at roughly half the price, owing to its Swatch Group economies of scale in manufacturing. And like Longines, Tissot also offers a myriad of designs. There are other affordalble watch brands out there that provide similar value, but only really a handful of micros that fly under the radar, everybody knows Citizen and Seiko etc. and the Miyota, NH, and Selitta/ETA (clones, seagull etc.) and while some of these are inexpensive I don't really consider any of them "underrated"- but Tissot, I do.