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Another Classic Remade – Longines Heritage Railroad Watch
Written by Boris Ivkovic on April 16, 2016 in Longines Heritage Collection, Longines Watches - No comments
Longines Heritage Railroad is one of two this year's novelties from the collection that celebrates the rich heritage of the brand with the winged hourglass logo. It is heavily based on the Longines railroad watch which was produced in the 1960s and it almost exactly replicates the appearance of the historical archetype model. Longines Heritage Railroad is set in the smaller 40 mm wide steel housing, while its functioning is based on an automatic mechanical movement with an opulent power reserve. The new watch is available at the price of $1,850.
As it is common for the watches from the Longines Heritage series, the novelty is based on one of the brand's historic models that are displayed at its museum in the Swiss town of Saint Imier. Heritage Rialroad is one of two this year's novelties from the collection (the other one is called Heritage 1918).
More specifically, this model celebrates the history and expertise of Longines in the creation of reliable and functional watches that were paramount for the punctuality of railroad systems of yesteryears. The brand's involvement in the field was especially significant at the start of the 20th century when its timekeepers were widely used by railway companies from the United States to China.
The reinterpreted Heritage Railroad model is based on the watch that came much later, somewhere in the 1960s. As it has been pointed out, the looks of the original model are almost completely replicated on the new piece, with just slight changes. It features the same dimensions as the original and almost the same off-white dial with black painted Arabic numerals. The face is odd in the sense that it features a zero numeral on the top instead of the usual 12 which is among the inner numerals, on the scale that facilitates telling the time in the 24-hour format.
The watch also includes the inscription "RR" that stands for railroad and which shows the original purpose of the piece. One of the discrepancies on the new piece is that the original "280" inscription was replaced with "888". This refers to the addition of a new caliber which was used in the novelty. The dial of the watch likewise includes three black shiny lacquered hands and a minute/second scale on the periphery.
Moreover, Longines Heritage Railroad retains the materials and the dimensions of the original housing. The round case of the watch is made of stainless steel and it has the more classic and restrained width of 40 mm, which is rarely seen in newer men's watches. The case-back of the piece with a fixed bezel is screwed in and decorated with the engraving, a common trait of vintage pocket watches that were made for railway companies. On the other side, Longines used a sapphire crystal with several layers of anti-reflective coatings. Heritage Railroad is water resistant to 30 meters.
As the inscription on the dial indicates, the watch bases its functioning on Caliber 888.2. It is a self-winding mechanical movement that was produced exclusively for Longines. It features ETA,A31.L01 base. The caliber is 11 ½ lignes wide and integrates 21 jewels in its construction. The watch operates at the somewhat rarely used rate of 25,200 vph and has the extended power reserve (for an automatic caliber) which lasts for as much as 64 hours. Its only functions are three hands.
Finally, it should be said that the newcomer with the reference number L2.803.4.23.0/3 is paired with an elegant black alligator leather strap that fastens with a buckle clasp.