June 29th, 2023 | Words and photography by DAHTT
You never forget your first.
15 years ago today I purchased this Longines. My first Swiss and first auto'.
I purchased this watch exactly 15 years ago...today! I knew nothing about watches, but I think I did ok.
I was twenty two years old, in Switzerland playing at a festival called Openair St Gallen. At the time I did not own a watch. Sitting in Zuric airport about to fly home to the UK, my guitar tech' told me that the Swiss made the best watches in the world and that I should buy one as a souvenir.
It turns out, my guitar tech' collected vintage Omega Speedmaster Professionals and the odd vintage Rolex, which now gets me all giddy, but back then would've meant nothing to me.
Following his advice, together we walked up to Turler Schmuck & Uhren, a small counter in the airport which was an authorised dealer for lots of lovely Swiss made watches. I pointed to a shiny gold looking watch and asked my guitar tech if it was any good. It was, he assured me, Longines had a long history of making good watches, and so it was quickly purchased with no pomp and/or circumstance, we had a plane to catch after all.
What I'd just purchased, was a gold plated gateway drug which just 32 days later would lead to me buying a Rolex. But that's another story for another day.
The watch is a Longines Les Grandes Classiques - Lyre Automatic. (Reference L4.760.2.32.2). Catchy. I only know this because twenty two year old me, completely uncharacteristically but rather sensibly kept the box and warranty card.
Specification wise, it's nothing outrageous. It has a 35mm case (wears more like a 36/37) with 18mm lug width. The gold plating is still pretty immaculate fifteen years later, as is the sapphire crystal. Water resistance is a slightly disappointing 30m. Being a dress watch there is no lume at all. One should presumably be in bed by dark.
It uses a Longines L619, which is based on an ETA 2892/A2. The difference to the ETA is that it has a branded rotor and some Geneva striping and perlage that I'll never see because it's hidden under a solid case back. It ticks away at 28,800VPH, has a 42hr power reserve, quick set date and hacking, so you can arrive at formal occasions with military accuracy.
On paper then, it's a Swatch Group badge job with an ETA. Easy one, review done.
Except it's much more than that, much more than the sum of its parts, because this humble little watch and so many like it, did what it was intended to do absolutely perfectly. It turned me from a normal person who spends their money and time on sensible things, into some sort of addict.
Every watch in my collection with better water resistance, higher accuracy, a more interesting history, greater durability, every grail I'm yet to own, they all owe their place in my collection to this Longines, because it set me on the path.
I sat on the plane looking at its beautiful sunburst dial and at that word, "automatic". My guitar tech' explaining what it meant. I held it up to my ear and listened to the rotor spinning, and over the next 32 days of its own accord, under its own power - requiring nothing of me, I watched that date window change 32 times.
On the 32nd day I walked into another authorised dealer and walked out with a Rolex. Over 40 watches later here I am, addicted, because of a Swatch Group badge job with an ETA
Earlier this year I wore this watch to dinner with my partner. She's used to seeing me wear steel sports watches mainly. She took one look at the Longines and immediately stated that it was the most beautiful watch she'd ever seen.
Shortly after I bought her a similar Longines for not very much money. She now has a watch box with an assortment of watches from vintage mechanicals to brand new G-shocks.
It did it twice! It inspired two people to delve into this amazing hobby. That's what this watch was built to do, it did it perfectly in 2008 and then again fifteen years later. For that, I can't fault it.