It’s time to look a bit outside of my usual favourite brands. I have reported on some vintage Longines I have in my collection here before. I own two late 1960s Ultra-Chron high-frequency Longines, a Ref. 7827 in steel and a 7828 in Rose Gold. Both are lovely watches of high quality and an easy entry into vintages watches.
Longines has been releasing Heritage models designed after historic vintage watches from its collection. We have seen some Divers but also an Ultra-Chron Diver. Longines takes more the Omega approach (maybe the Swatch-Group approach?) rather than what for example GP did with the “Vintage” line or Vacheron with its “Le Historique”. What I mean by that? Both GP and VC have used the vintage models as inspiration creating a modern interpretation of the historic model. Omega and now Longines are more releasing historic models almost copied one-to-one with modern technology. Of course, they are not exact copies especially when it comes to the movement, yet the approach is very clear to release a modern watch that is very very close to its original vintage version.
To my surprise, I recently discovered that Longines released a Heritage Ultra-Chron after Reference 7827. In fact, they released 2 versions of the same watch, one in 37mm and one in 40mm. The original is somewhere between 34 and 35mm. Needless to say, I wanted to check it out in the metal. I tried on the 37mm, which is available with either a bracelet or a strap option. Now, I’m not aware I have ever seen a vintage 7827 on a bracelet and my choice clearly would be the strap even though the bracelet is very nicely done and of good quality with a micro-adjustment clasp.
37mm modern Heritage Ultra-Chron 7827 with bracelet
Vintage 7827 Ultra-Chron
When you compare old and new, they are almost identical. They have tried to even match the brushed and sunray finish of the case. It is less pronounced on the modern version as per my eye judgement but still nicely done. The dial is very closely matching the vintage model, only next to the date there is now a small index. It seems the date is placed closer to the centre, maybe a consequence of a smaller movement/bigger case. I do appreciate that the modern watch also has a solid case back with the Ultra-Chron engraving. 37mm may sound small, but when you are familiar with the vintage 7827 it even feels rather big.
What I don’t quite get is why the 40mm version? Although I have not tried this one on, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be too big. But let’s not be picky. I congratulate Longines to this new Heritage release, it ticks a lot of boxes the right way and is a nice addition to the market of an affordable yet quality entry watch with a fantastic history.
It’s time to look a bit outside of my usual favourite brands. I have reported on some vintage Longines I have in my collection here before. I own two late 1960s Ultra-Chron high-frequency Longines, a Ref. 7827 in steel and a 7828 in Rose Gold. Both are lovely watches of high quality and an easy entry into vintages watches.
Longines has been releasing Heritage models designed after historic vintage watches from its collection. We have seen some Divers but also an Ultra-Chron Diver. Longines takes more the Omega approach (maybe the Swatch-Group approach?) rather than what for example GP did with the “Vintage” line or Vacheron with its “Le Historique”. What I mean by that? Both GP and VC have used the vintage models as inspiration creating a modern interpretation of the historic model. Omega and now Longines are more releasing historic models almost copied one-to-one with modern technology. Of course, they are not exact copies especially when it comes to the movement, yet the approach is very clear to release a modern watch that is very very close to its original vintage version.
To my surprise, I recently discovered that Longines released a Heritage Ultra-Chron after Reference 7827. In fact, they released 2 versions of the same watch, one in 37mm and one in 40mm. The original is somewhere between 34 and 35mm. Needless to say, I wanted to check it out in the metal. I tried on the 37mm, which is available with either a bracelet or a strap option. Now, I’m not aware I have ever seen a vintage 7827 on a bracelet and my choice clearly would be the strap even though the bracelet is very nicely done and of good quality with a micro-adjustment clasp.
When you compare old and new, they are almost identical. They have tried to even match the brushed and sunray finish of the case. It is less pronounced on the modern version as per my eye judgement but still nicely done. The dial is very closely matching the vintage model, only next to the date there is now a small index. It seems the date is placed closer to the centre, maybe a consequence of a smaller movement/bigger case. I do appreciate that the modern watch also has a solid case back with the Ultra-Chron engraving. 37mm may sound small, but when you are familiar with the vintage 7827 it even feels rather big.
What I don’t quite get is why the 40mm version? Although I have not tried this one on, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be too big. But let’s not be picky. I congratulate Longines to this new Heritage release, it ticks a lot of boxes the right way and is a nice addition to the market of an affordable yet quality entry watch with a fantastic history.
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