Every decade, it doesn’t surprise us to see a revival of designs from 20 years ago, tapping into the public’s nostalgia. But going back to the 1930s is a harder task—this isn’t dependent on nostalgia, but an appreciation of the design movements of the time. And that’s what Longines has done with its Heritage Classic line-up for men and women, which blends the art-déco and Bauhaus eras.
Taking its own 1930s designs as inspiration, Longines’ Heritage Classic watches have a streamlined, unadorned appearance, with the face divided into both minutes on the outermost part, and quarters with a fine crosshair in the centre. Longines says it ‘reflects the æsthetic of the sector dial’, even if it doesn’t strictly have a sector dial.
The face itself is a silvered opaline disc, and the small-seconds’ counter features a striated silvered opaline counter. Inside, Longines has fitted a new, exclusive calibre (L893·5), featuring a silicon balance spring. It is a self-winding movement.
The watch diameter is 38·5 mm, again reflecting the 1930s.
The leather straps are in blue or semi-matte black with beige overstitching. There are also denim-effect leather NATO straps in blue or anthracite.
Longines’ ambassadors for the Heritage Classic are not your usual celebrity names. Chris Beacon is a journalist and watch collector, who writes about whisky and vintage watches; Esra Gürmen is a writer and watch collector, who was introduced to the hobby through her uncle; and Matt Hanson is a watch collector specializing in Longines, and is particularly knowledgeable about the topic.