Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

This is not a new model, it was launched during Baselworld 2014 as an addition to the already popular Legend Diver (LLD). If the LLD is the modern incarnation of a watch from the 60’s, the Heritage Diver, with its bold proportion and high-contrast dial, is inspired by Longines chronographs from the 70’s — especially its chronograph version.

We were invited with TimeCaptain to the International Bromont, a show jumping competition sponsored by Longines, and for us, it was the perfect opportunity to go hands-on with a couple of Longines. TimeCaptain was wearing the Master Collection Retrograde, while I was equipped with the Heritage Diver. The fun part was that Longines agreed for us to hang onto these watches as long as we need them to write an in-depth review. For almost two weeks, the Longines Heritage Diver was my everyday watch. According to the technical specs, the ETA2824-2 powering it has a power reserve of 38-hours, but it did not have the chance to prove it, I would wear it to work and it would be on my wrist during the weekend too. It was stuck on my wrist and my cell phone was quickly filled-up with wrist-shots.

The Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm on TimeCaptain’s wrist

With my small wrist, it is rare that a watch bigger than 42 mm feels comfortable. The Heritage Diver is 43 mm and I was expecting it to feel awkward, but I was wrong. Despite its bold proportions, the case has very short lugs that make the watch extremely wearable and at the same time, these short lugs reinforce the chunky, masculine allure of the watch. If you are blessed with a large wrist, don’t worry, on TimeCaptain’s big wrist too, it was a perfect fit.

This cushion-shaped case is anything but generic, the top is brushed with a sunburst finish while the profile is polished and the contrast between the two highlighted by the sharp edge. The domed crystal is fastened by a bezel with dodecagon shape, almost a circle yet still a polygon that because of its polished surface in the sunlight reminded me a diamond.

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Like on the LLD, there are two crowns, the one on the top to turn the internal bezel, while the bottom crown is used to adjust the time and the date. Both are screw-in, just as the solid back, the Heritage Diver is waterproof to a depth of 300 meters. Actually, the back is echoing the dodecagon shape of the bezel and it is decorated with a diver with a spear, a beautiful homage to the underwater adventures that inspired this watch.

The matt, satin-finished black dial is the canvas for the lume-filled stainless steel indexes and the bright red accents on the bezel. The red minute hand is one of the many little details that make this watch such a fun piece. Depending on how the light will hit the dial, the stout indexes might look like they are fully coated with Super-LumiNova, but then their polished surface will shine up like little sparkles.

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

The black sailcloth strap adds to the casual, laid-back personality of the Heritage Diver, and the buckle is a little work of art. Its finish echoes the texture of the strap and it is decorated with the winged hourglass logo.

Checking the time, or just staring at the Heritage Diver would always bring a smile to my face, it just radiates happiness. It is the kind of watch that I would love to take on a vacation and charge it up with happy memories. It could handle formal occasions too, but its high profile might be difficult to fit under a tight cuff and after all, the Heritage Diver is not the introvert piece that prefers to hide under your shirt, it wants to be out there, visible, enjoying the sun, enjoying life.

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

The official MSRP is C$2,700 and for about $1,000 more, you can upgrade to a Heritage Diver 43mm chronograph. More about Longines at www.longines.com

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

The strap and the buckle on the Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm

The back of the Longines Heritage Diver 43 mm