ReviewThe New Longines Legend Diver In 39mm Comes With Vintage Inspiration

It’s always exciting to see brands release modern reissues of their vintage watches that focus on wearability and a more contemporary appeal. While it not only showcases the brand’s adaptable mindset; it also demonstrates a strong understanding of their true icons. And here’s one from Longines that builds on the elegant ethos of the Legend Diver line. Now in 39mm, the 2023 Longines Legend Diver has been created in a modest size to make it more wearable for users who crave comfort and colours—in black or blue lacquer dials. What’s even better, you get a choice of straps or a steel bracelet to suit varied requirements.

A reinterpretation of the legendary Longines Legend Diver—a watch modelled after an important dive watch from the late 1950s—it is now a true pillar in the brand’s Heritage portfolio. The latest version of the Longines Legend Diver is a recreation of reference 7042, introduced in 1959, and measured 42mm. This was called a compressor dive watch. The brand, best known for their association with the world of sport and exploration, launched the very first chronograph with water-resistant push-pieces in 1937. And their first underwater watch was born in 1958. The unmistakable style of the compressor diver watch—with a dual crown design and an internal rotating diving bezel—has not faded into history. Elegant as ever, the new Longines Legend Diver presented in a completely redesigned 39 mm case is certified as a Divers’ Watch (ISO 6425) with a water-resistance up to 30 bar / 300m.

Size Matters: The New Longines Legend Diver Packs A Punch

Whether you are a serious diver or not, this sleek, shiny timepiece makes it to the ‘must-have watches’ collection. Contemporary yet steeped in history, the design of the dial is refreshed with a traditional black or more modern blue lacquered finish. The dial has no date and is topped by a domed sapphire crystal glass with black metal plating and multiple layers of anti-reflective protection on both sides. The inner section of the dial has raised Arabic numerals (ever so slightly) mixed with elongated markers and luminous squares and rectangles that adds to better visibility. To enhance this vital feature in the dive watch, the new rhodium-plated and polished hands, coated with Super-LumiNova, mark the time with optimum visibility in all circumstances, day and night.

The Longines Legend Diver 39mm comes with an option of a blue dial and a stainless steel bracelet with a double-safety folding clasp, new rhodium-plated and polished hands, coated with Super LumiNova®to ensure time with optimum visibility

₹3,22,000

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Certified as a Divers' Watch (ISO 6425) with a water-resistance up to 30 bar/300 metres, the Longines Legend Diver 39mm is recognisable by its two crowns and internal rotating bezel

₹3,22,000

Check Our Selling Price

The case, measuring 12.7mm in thickness, 39mm in width, and 47mm lug-to-lug, is a dream come true when it comes to comfort on the wrist and design that is au courant. The closed steel caseback, and two crowns—one for setting the time and one to control the bidirectional-rotating dive-timer bezel—the new Legend Diver makeover has us impressed.

The case, measuring 12.7mm in thickness, 39mm in width, and 47mm lug-to-lug, is a dream come true when it comes to comfort on the wrist and design that is au courant

Retaining the 50s’ charm, with subtle tweaks, is what gives the Longines Legend Diver a cleaner, simpler, and sleeker appeal without compromising on the authentic tool-watch philosophy. Highlighting the most emblematic feature of this model is the internal bidirectional rotating bezel for measuring dive time. The bezel’s position inside the case protects it from handling and accidental shocks that could disrupt its settings. The screw-down crown at two o’clock activates it on a graduated 60-minute scale, which is located on the case flange and capped at 12 o’clock with a luminescent triangle symbol.

The inner section of the Longines Legend Diver 39mm dial has raised Arabic numerals mixed with elongated markers and luminous squares and rectangles that adds to better visibility

The stainless-steel case of the Longines Legend Diver 39mm features alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces and the blue version can be optioned with a blue nylon NATO-style strap

Chronometer-Certified: The Longines Legend Diver

Not just a visual makeover, the Longines Legend Diver also introduces an updated movement. The automatic calibre L888.6 comes with a bigger power reserve of 72 hours instead of the previous 60 hours, and it comes with a COSC certification, as a chronometer. This extremely precise self-winding mechanical movement is also fitted with a silicon balance spring and innovative components, offering a magnetic resistance 10 times greater than the ISO 764 benchmark standard for those with diving intentions. The movement itself is hidden behind a solid caseback engraved with a spearfishing scuba diver caseback motif.

Retaining the 50’s charm, with subtle tweaks, is what gives the Longines Legend Diver a cleaner, simpler, and sleeker appeal. This black dial model comes with a brown leather strap with a steel tongue buckle

The solid caseback of the Longines Legend Diver 39mm is engraved with a spearfishing scuba diver caseback motif

For the ease of wearability and style options, one can choose from either the black or the blue dials that can be had with a full steel tapered bracelet. The blue version can be optioned with a blue nylon NATO-style strap, or you can get the black dial with a vintage-style brown leather strap. Ticking all the boxes isn’t easy, but The Longines Legend Diver delivers on most—style, comfort, and up-to-date technical features, making for a successful update.