The New Longines Master Chrono Monopusher (Incl. Video)

Earlier this year, Longines completely overhauled its long-running Master collection. The updates included new dials, colours, sizes and a lot more on top of that, to give it a fresh new look and feel for the coming years. But there was one element of the range missing, and that was the more complicated side of the Master collection. Now that we’ve had some time to digest the updates of the core range, though, it’s time to reveal the next chapter with this new and rather handsome Master Chrono Monopusher, featuring a complication that goes back a long way for Longines, as it introduced it in a wristwatch as early as 1911.

The Master collection, introduced in 2005, is essentially the more classically styled, dressier side of Longines, with sleek case designs, highly attractive dials and robust yet refined mechanics all around. With the more refined design language introduced recently, the Master collection is read fort the next chapter, and this Master Chrono Monopusher follows suit. And while it might appear it’s all about tradition, there are certain elements that give it a subtle contemporary touch.

To start with the exterior, the new Master Chrono Monopusher comes in a 41mm-wide stainless steel case, which tops out at 12.60mm in height. Sure, we’d always love to see more compact dimensions, but considering the movement inside, it’s actually rather acceptable. On the wrist, it feels nicely balanced and comfortable, and the case itself has polished finishes with a crown at 3 o’clock.

And this is where the Master Chrono Monopusher sets itself apart, as the crown is fitted with an integrated pusher for the chronograph. Where most chronographs use separate pushers on either side of the crown to start, stop and reset the function, a monopusher chronograph has all functions integrated into one. Press it once, and the central chronograph seconds hand starts its 60-second run. Push it again, and all time measurements stop, after which you can reset them with a third push. It’s a function that is deceptively simple in looks, but not so much in construction.

For the dials, Longines had a rather tasty surprise up its sleeve, but in hindsight it’s not entirely unexpected. Just weeks ago, it introduced an ice-blue dial for both the HydroConquest 300M Diver and the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve. And now, jumping to the Master collection, it makes an appearance as well. But that’s not all, as there’s also a silver opaline version, radiating a lovely soft champagne tone, as an alternative. Either way, you get a barleycorn decoration in the centre, a pulsometer chronograph scale on the outer perimeter, and polished applied numerals and hands for the indications. On both, the tracks for the minutes and so on are printed in black, providing a good amount of contrast.

The subdials, one for the running seconds and one for the chronograph minutes, are recessed and given a snailed finish. It might be a touch classical, but it’s rather timeless, to be honest, and the colours give it a fresh, modern spin on things. A very subtle styling element is also found on the hands, which appear leaf-shaped at first glance, but are given a little kink for a bit more character. It adds a hint of a sword-shape to them, which is very nice. The finishing touch is the applied winged hourglass logo at noon, with the brand’s name above it.

Visible through the sapphire caseback, the Longines Calibre L799.5, based on the L788 series used in previous monopusher chronographs, continues the visual splendour. This manually wound chronograph uses a single pusher to start, stop and reset as mentioned, and a column-wheel with vertical clutch ensures a smooth operation. It runs at a rate of 28,800vph and can store up to 68 hours of power reserve in a single barrel. In terms of looks, there’s little to complain about, as you get blued screws and a blued column wheel, Geneva stripes on the top bridge, polished levers and wheels, and perlage on the mainplate. The brand’s name and calibre numbers are engraved and filled with blue lacquer, to finish it all off.

Longines puts the Master Chrono Monopusher on an anthracite or brown alligator leather strap with a micro-adjustable triple folding clasp, which is a big plus! It’s not often we see this on more dress-oriented watches, but we certainly applaud it! A small pusher on the side of the clasp allows you to slide the long end of the strap back and forth a couple of millimetres, accommodating a thicker wrist on a warm day or a slimmer one when it’s colder. The price is set at CHF 3,200, which feels like a very fair deal for what you get in return.

The new Longines Master Chrono Monopusher is another very handsome new edition to the brand’s already very impressive line-up. The frosted blue dial is a welcome surprise and could be our preferred colour out of the two. If that’s a touch too much for you, the silver opaline dial with rose gold coloured numerals and hands takes things down a notch or two, and looks equally good overall.

For more information, please visit Longines.com.