The vintage watch marketplace is both an incredible path to rare timepieces, recently, some brands took notice from the rising market interest in vintage watches, and also have thus released updated versions of lengthy-forgotten models. The Heritage Collection by Longines is really a prime illustration of vintage done correctly. Today we’re taking a closer look at one of the most iconic models of the Heritage line, the Longines Heritage Military 38.5mm Stainless Steel watch replica L2.819.4.93.2.
After the war, watches used in combat gradually began trickling into the civilian lifestyle. However, most of them had already started showing the marks of lengthy, brutal struggle in air, land, and water: white dials had turned cream; crowns, stems, and crystals had been replaced; aluminum lugs had shattered. As time went by, the few watches that were either spared from international conflict or taken really good care of in the first place became the object of a newly found interest in vintage pieces, commanding high prices in the market but offering no assurance in terms of lasting reliability.
Enter the Longines Heritage Military replica watch, inspired on the original RAF-issued Longines pilot’s watch of the ‘40s, but upgraded for the 21st century with slightly modernized aesthetics and newer technology in mind.
Finally, it’s worth noting that Longines has enlarged the case diameter from the original 32 mm to 38.5 mm, which is a sensible update perfectly in tune with modern tastes. Massive kudos to Longines for avoiding going overboard with the size, as anything above 40 mm would probably look silly and at odds with such a timeless design. The Longines Heritage Military watch replica L2.819.4.93.2is rated to 3 bar only, so no diving. This watch was made for flying.
A Tool For War
The year is 1940. World War II is in full swing on the Western Front. The British Ministry of Defence has asked reputable watch manufacturers to provide a significant number of timepieces for its armed forces. The Royal Air Force in particular needs a robust yet legible wristwatch. Longines and other eleven brands answer the call and deliver what would become one of the most archetypical watch designs of the ‘40s: a large (for the time) 32 mm white dial, big Arabic numerals encircled by a railroad track chapter ring, a central seconds hand, and a brushed, sturdy, stainless steel case.After the war, watches used in combat gradually began trickling into the civilian lifestyle. However, most of them had already started showing the marks of lengthy, brutal struggle in air, land, and water: white dials had turned cream; crowns, stems, and crystals had been replaced; aluminum lugs had shattered. As time went by, the few watches that were either spared from international conflict or taken really good care of in the first place became the object of a newly found interest in vintage pieces, commanding high prices in the market but offering no assurance in terms of lasting reliability.
Enter the Longines Heritage Military replica watch, inspired on the original RAF-issued Longines pilot’s watch of the ‘40s, but upgraded for the 21st century with slightly modernized aesthetics and newer technology in mind.
The Case
If I were forced to describe the Military’s case using only a single word, I would probably say “utilitarian”. Mostly made out of brushed stainless steel, the case is sober to the extreme and lets the dial take center stage, something that RAF pilots were probably grateful for, as the inside of a cockpit under heavy enemy fire is no place to admire the subtleties of a watch. That being said, taking a closer look reveals the beauty behind the simplicity: the handsome lugs are neither too short nor too long, the narrow strip of polished steel that surrounds the crystal creates a pleasant contrast with the rest of the case, and the shape of the caseback distorts and reflects any incoming light in a very distinct manner.Finally, it’s worth noting that Longines has enlarged the case diameter from the original 32 mm to 38.5 mm, which is a sensible update perfectly in tune with modern tastes. Massive kudos to Longines for avoiding going overboard with the size, as anything above 40 mm would probably look silly and at odds with such a timeless design. The Longines Heritage Military watch replica L2.819.4.93.2is rated to 3 bar only, so no diving. This watch was made for flying.
Oversized crown
A crown this huge needs its own section. Without exaggeration, I think this is the most enjoyable crown I’ve ever operated, probably because of the increased torque it delivers compared to normal-sized crowns. The tactile feedback is amazing, and one has to wonder whether a manual movement instead of an automatic one would be better suited to this piece, if only to get to enjoy this wonderful feeling every day.The Dial
The sans-serif Arabic numerals echo the typeface used for the name on the caseback, while the railroad track around the numerals provides an accurate guide for reading the minutes and seconds. The blued steel hands contrast beautifully with the cream hue of the dial, and their gorgeous individual shapes come together to imbue the watch face with a hint of dynamism. The most controversial element, though, are the tiny little spots sprayed throughout the dial. The spots are supposed to resemble mold growth in order to make the Longines Heritage Military 38.5mm watch fake intentionally look much older than it is, as though it truly were a relic of the 1940s.The Movement
The L.888 movement is yet another upgrade from the original model. As I said before, though, I wouldn’t mind being required to turn the majestic, oversized crown every day. By the way, there is thankfully no "ghost" first position in which to adjust a non-existent date complication, which I must admit was fully expecting to find here given the fact that some other watches powered by the L888 caliber display a date window. Lastly, perhaps owing to its relatively slow 3.5 Hz frequency, the movement offers a generous 64-hour power reserve, making it possible to switch watches for a day every once in a while.
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