Longines Adds New, Ultra-Cool Gradient Dials to the Legend Diver Collection (Live Pics & Price)

Born in 2007 and reviving the look of one of the brand’s most sought-after vintage dive watches, the Longines Legend Diver has since its introduction become a sort of pillar in the winged hourglass’ collection. A typical modern icon that still looks as good and fresh as 15 years ago. Classically seen in black, the brand has created recently some cool colourful editions, mostly equipped with gradient dials – think brown and blue, or green on the bronze version. For 2022, the collection will once again expand with some very cool new colours, available either on the classic 42mm or the more compact 36mm version. Sand beige, ash grey, royal blue and burgundy, you now have even more choices for your Longines Legend Diver.

Background

The LLD, as often named, is a watch that has gained quite a community of fans. And for obvious reasons, as it is one of the best models to be found in Longines’ heritage collection. It is modelled after an important vintage watch that Longines created back in the late 1950s, when professional and recreational dive watches were a growing trend, and when this specific type of case architecture was seen as a great alternative to the standard construction for dive watches. The LLD is a faithful recreation of a dive watch created by Longines in 1959, the Ref. 7042. This watch was typical of the compressor concept, with twin crowns and an internal rotating bezel, but also an oversized 42mm case and an elegant black dial with painted Arabic numerals and elongated minute markers.

The design was revived with the 2007 no-date Longines Legend Diver (the most collectable of them all) with a glossy black dial, a faithful reproduction of the original watch, a 42mm steel case with 300m water-resistance, a compressor-like design with an internal rotating bezel and twin crowns (but not a real Super-Compressor watch). In 2012, Longines decided to add a date to its LLD, which made the no-date model even more appealing. Since then, the watch has received an improved movement and has been made available in multiple colours, as well as a downsized 36mm model. You can see a selection of articles about the Longines Legend Diver (in various styles) here.

An array of new dials for 2022

The main idea behind this new collection for the Longines Legend Diver is all about colours and an additional dosage of fun and style. Surely, the black dial version will remain the most faithful edition and also the safest option. But the new gradient dials that have been added by the brand for the 2022 collection are clearly not to be neglected. I’d even say that they make the LLD even more attractive – that sand beige edition is just stunning.

The base for the LLD remains the same. We have two versions, one in 42mm, the other in 36mm. And don’t think one is meant for men and the other for women. I can easily see myself wearing the smaller version, while I know multiple women who rock the larger one with great style. Design-wise, nothing has changed apart from the colours and the straps. The case is still entirely polished, equipped with two crowns (one for the movement, the other for the internal bezel), topped by an ultra-domed and charming sapphire crystal and the water-resistance is rated at 300m. The dials are glossy with a black rotating bezel, and a central area that is gradually coloured. Markers and tracks are printed in beige for a cool vintage look, and the hands and some of the indices are coated with luminous material – even though night legibility has never been the main strength of the LLD.

The large model measures 42mm in diameter, 12.7mm in height and has a lug-to-lug measurement of 52.4mm – something to consider when buying this watch. Inside the case is the time-and-date automatic calibre L888.5 (or ETA A31.L11), with 72h power reserve, beating at 25,200 vibrations/hour and equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance-spring. Two new versions are now available for the 42mm LLD. In addition to the gradient dark blue and brown of last year, we now have a sand beige edition worn on a tone-on-tone fabric strap and a slightly more classic ash grey model with a colour-matched NATO-style fabric strap. If the grey one certainly is easier on a daily basis and has a timeless appeal, I have to say that the warm and light colour of the sand beige version, with more contrast in the gradient effect, is highly appealing. It really adds to the vintage touch of the watch and makes it lighter, more in tune with the times. Well done for this edition.

The 36mm version is not left apart this year, with 3 new editions. The case of this more compact Longines Legend Diver measures 36mm in diameter and 11.9mm in height. Except for these smaller dimensions, specifications are the same as the larger version and we’re still talking about a very capable dive watch. Inside is the calibre L592 (or ETA A20.L11), an automatic time-and-date movement with 45h power reserve, beating at 4Hz and also equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance-spring. The new dials available for these compact models are vivid burgundy, sand beige or royal blue, all colour-gradient. All are equipped with tone-on-tone fabric strap.

Availability & Price

The new 36mm and 42mm editions of the Longines Legend Diver with gradient dials are priced, whatever the colour or the case, at EUR 2,240 or USD 2,400. All are part of the permanent collection and will soon be available from retailers. These watches come with a 5-year warranty.

Specifications

Large model – 42mm x 12.7mm – stainless steel case, polished – screw-in crowns and screw-down caseback – sapphire crystal – 300m water-resistant – internal turning diving bezel – Sand beige or ash grey colour-gradient dials – Calibre L888.5, automatic, 72h power reserve, time and date – tone-on-tone textile strap – L3.774.4.30.2 (beige) L3.774.4.70.2 (grey) – EUR 2,240 or USD 2,400

Small model – 36mm x 11.9mm – stainless steel case, polished – screw-in crowns and screw-down caseback – sapphire crystal – 300m water-resistant – internal turning diving bezel – Vivid burgundy, sand beige or royal blue colour-gradient dials – Calibre L592, automatic, 45h power reserve, time-and-date – tone-on-tone textile strap – L3.374.4.40.2 (burgundy) L3.374.4.30.2 (beige) L3.374.4.90.2 (blue) – EUR 2,240 or USD 2,400

For more details, please visit www.longines.com.