The Longines Heritage collection is a veritable treasure trove of wonderful (and, usually, eminently affordable) watches based on Longine's historical production, and for 2016 the family has a new member. Say hello to the Longines Railroad, a watch based on "railroad grade" watches made for the rail service in the 1960s.
Above, you can see the original Longines railroad pocket watch from the 1960s. The number 280 on the dial refers to the Longines hand-wound caliber 280, an in-house, high grade movement suitable for the demands of usage in the rail service. The term "railroad grade" refers to watches approved for use by train crews and while most of us are used to seeing the term applied to rail service watches pocket watches from brands like Elgin, Waltham, Howard, and yes, Longines (which made railroad service watches including the USA, Canada, and China among others) in fact wristwatches could be approved by time inspection bureaus as well. According to an interesting look at the subject on Timezone.com from 2000, at least until that year, you could if you chose use an approved mechanical wristwatch, or even pocket watch, if you so chose. One notable requirement is that the watch should show the time in 24 hour format.
And here's the new version, in 40 mm, and we think a very handsome watch at that. The number on the dial has changed to "888" after the newer movement (Longines caliber L888.2, which we presume to be an ETA base) but in most other respects the two watches are to all intents and purposes identical. Nonetheless, it's a very finely done revival, with elegantly tapering dauphine hands, a seconds hand with a gently curved tip to eliminate parallax error, and a simple, elegant stainless-steel case.
It's become almost monotonous to say this but Longines has, yet again, done right by a Heritage model. Good size, very handsome dial, reliable and easy to service movement, and who knows, unless the Canadian Pacific Railroad's written them out of its regulations since 2000, why you might even be able to use it while workin' on the railroad, all the live-long day.
The Longines Heritage Railroad: case, stainless steel, 40mm in diameter, movement caliber L888.2 (presumed ETA base). Visit Longines online.
Follow us during Baselworld on HODINKEE Live, available on desktop, mobile, or in the free HODINKEE app for iOS.
No comments:
Post a Comment