The Longines RailRoad - Continuing Tradition

The Longines RailRoad timepiece is the closest in terms of reissue to its original.

Back in the 1960s, not many brands fulfilled specific requirements in terms of aesthetics, quality and precision for watches to be used for rail road purposes. Longines did.

The original version of the RailRoad has the words RR 280 - RR stands for Rail Road and 280 is the original calibre that drives the timepiece.

With the reissue, the timepiece now comes with a new calibre. The 888 which is an ETA based calibre manufactured for Longines. The dial is polished white dial with black lacquered hands.

And what's with the "0" at the twelve, you ask? In the tradition of the 24 hours dial layout, the creators of the timepiece followed that convention with zero hours signifying midnight and 12 being midday. The steel case timepiece is 40mm in diameter.

And for once, I am happy that they actually removed the date making it cleaner in my humble opinion. And to complete that vintage look, Longines uses a raised sapphire glass with multi-layer anti-reflective coating.

The solid case back is equally fascinating. The engraving is inspired by the original decorations found on pocket watches designed for railway companies in the 1920s. Underneath the hood is the automatic Calibre 888 which is an ETA movement exclusively made for Longines. Provides 60 hours of power reserve far better than the original calibre 280.

With their long history in watchmaking, I can see Longines making a strong comeback with more timepieces paying tribute to their origins.

The Longines Heritage Chronograph

The Longines Heritage Chronograph is perhaps one of the most affordable single push button column wheel chronograph on the market.

I recently featured the Heritage Chronograph in another post. Here are two of the three models close up.

First the monopusher Chronograph featuring a pulsometric scale reference L2.800.4.23.2.

Clean white lacquer dial...

Very legible and the glossy lacquer makes it even more so.

The accompanying brown leather strap has an orange backing. Very contrasting and very pretty!

Next comes the two toned dial version reference L2.800.4.26.2 which comes without the pulsometric scale.

I like this version the best... clean. And the slightly greyish blue toned lacquer dial is just perfectly executed.

Also comes with a leather strap and orange back.

So which one do you prefer? The white lacquered dial with a pulsometric scale or the clean two toned dial?

Then there is the black dial version (reference L2.800.4.53.0) which is also very versatile as a day time turned night formal timepiece. Head down to the Longines Boutique or to Watches of Switzerland to try one and perhaps get one for the Chinese New Year. I assure you the timepiece is very affordable. The white lacquered dial L2.800.4.23.2 retails for S$4,770 while the two toned L2.800.4.26.2 retails for S$4,930 inclusive of GST.

Longines - Making a Strong Comeback!

With the new Heritage Single Push Piece Chronograph, Longines is again moving in the right direction. And what a comeback piece!

The monopusher collection gets its inspiration from their vintage piece. They have three timepieces in their current collection - the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph with the black and another the white dial plus the Heritage Chronograph - without the Pulsometric scale. All timepieces are 40mm - very comfortable to wear IMHO.

The Longines Pulsometer Chronograph reference L2.800.4.23.2 with the white lacquer dial.

The Longines Pulsometer Chronograph reference L2.800.4.53.0 with the black dial.

The Pulsometer scale allows a medical professional to take the heart rate reliably and quickly by using the scale. Instead of taking one minute, the scale allows the user to take the heart rate in 30 beats instead. And this invention was developed in the 1920s.

The white lacquer dial is beautifully done and is adorned with painted black Arabic numerals that makes the piece very legible.

The black dial version is a little more "usual" - honestly, I prefer the white dial version.

The pick for me is the Heritage Single Push Piece Chronograph reference L2.800.4.26.2.

This piece has a two-toned dial and one part made from white lacquer and the other a grey tinged lacquer.

Devoid of the Pulsometric scale, I find this "cleaner" look more appealing. And what about the movement? Well the collection comes with an automatic column wheel chronograph movement.

Top class finishing it is not but still decent given the price range of this collection. The column wheel chronograph movement is produced exclusively for Longines.

The 40mm monopusher chronograph is well priced at around US$3,400. And I clearly think it is a winner!

I believe this range will take to collectors and also will be on many collectors' wish lists. I also posted about the Montblanc Villeret Vintage Pulsographe which also has a Pulsometric scale but the pricing is way higher than this Longines monopusher.

Photos taken by iPhone 6S.