Longines’s rich history and extensive archive is a continual source of inspiration for the Swiss watchmaker. Many of its Heritage models are tributes to pioneering aviation and military watches created in the company’s early days. With its 38.50 mm steel case, cognac leather strap and golden opaline dial, the latest addition to the line takes style ques straight form the archive. The Heritage Military Marine Nationale revives a mid-century model first manufactured exclusively for the French Navy. These timepieces were identified using the letters “M.N.” for Marine Nationale, engraved on the back of a 33.50 mm case. The dials were stamped with the words Longines FAB. SUISSE, for Swiss made (Fabrique Suisse). These two features are repeated on the slightly larger Military Marine Nationale, which in order to preserve the face of the original, does not have a date window. The shape of the blue counterweight seconds hand, a detail rarely used by Longines, adds to the vintage aesthetics of the watch. Also in the spirit of the original, the blue hours hands on the speckled dial are coated with brown Super-LumiNova. The case houses the L888.5 calibre automatic movement with a silicon balance spring developed exclusively for Longines.
The Longines Heritage Military Marine Nationale ($2,000.00). For retail locations and availability go to longines.com.
