Longines Master Collection
Does anyone have this Longines Master Collection? If you do, what's your wearing experience?
One of the reasons that triggered me to expand my watch collection from mostly quartz to now primarily mechanical watches is complications. I always want to include at least one watch in my collection that has multiple complications.
One issue with high complications is cost, especially if I want to go for a mechanical watch. This is especially true if high-end brands are also considered. For this reason, I have been looking for something at a semi-luxury or entry level luxury brand that offers multiple complications within a more affordable price range. I then turned to Longines, as I have always felt that it is a very solid brand that has a reputation in making good quality watches. And their watches are usually reasonably priced and don't cost a house! Then, I found this Master Collection Reference L26734783.
This watch has many complications: chronograph, triple calendar, 24 hours indicator, and a moon phase display. For the 40mm version, the price is C$4,450 in Canada.
I think there are 3 drawbacks for this watch. It is quite thick. But Longines already did its best to utilize every last inch of the space to minimize the thickness of the case. Another is the very small seconds hand. It could be difficult to see the exact second when I need to. The last one is that all hands are of the same blue color. I wonder if that could cause confusion sometimes about which is which if I read the time by just a quick glance. However, none of these three drawbacks is a deal breaker, and I am very attracted to this watch.
If you own this watch, what's your wearing experience? How have you found the legibility of this watch?
Or would you recommend any other watches of similar quality and with similar complications at about this price point?
I love watches and have been collecting inexpensive watches for over 20 years. Most are quartz watches but a few are automatic. None cost me more than C$300. Since two years ago, I started collecting...
First of all let me congratulate you for entering new ERA of mechanical collection. Now about the Longines Master collection watch which you have purchased is not just a good timepiece but it's a complication watch at entry level of mechanical watches. I was targeting for purchase of this watch some around 7 years back but was not able to crack the deal as the budget for this watch was crossing my financial limits so it didn't happen Now one by one I will explain the points which you have mentioned here.
The watch is of good quality with 7751 movement which is a complicated movement in its class. I made lot of research over internet to check a substitute model with same functionality and found many results. Many brands have this movement and come with similar or I can say much good look compared to Longines. Pierre Cardin, Breitling and much much affordable is Appella.
As you said the watch thickness is bit more...its due to the complications what it has inside...still I think they have managed these complication layers using only 25 Jewels movement...
Only thing is the sub dials are not readable sometimes as they appear very small. But this is also due to managing so many functionalities on 40mm dial. Hope you agree with this point.
Only thing about the glossy blue shine of hands sometimes make eyes to read details bit difficult.
My brother in law has this Watch and it is an absolute beauty. Feels really nice and comfortable on the wrist and looks classy as 👌🏻 the height of the watch doesn’t seem bad at all, I will be adding a Longines to the collection soon myself, an under rated brand in my opinion
I owned both this model and a Master Retrograde Moonphase model. They did not disappoint but I sold both the watches to my retired accountant who loved them more than I at the time. The cases could have been better finished which is a common criticism of many Longines watches. They offer top value but the enthusiast just feels a few more thoughtful details could make the experience feel less entry level. The watches were quite thick but so are a few of my favourite Breitling watches including a recent purchase the Datora. There were no issues reading the different sub dials but I did not keep the watches more than a few weeks tbh.
Have tried this on multiple times and it often comes up in discussion with at work as it's just a great watch and excellent value for money imo
Love this watch. Looks absolutely amazing in the metal and you do get great discounts against RRP for Longines here. I'm not a fan of chronographs so wouldn't get it myself but I adore the Master Collection retrograde. I just need to try one on to see if the thickness feels OK (and they never have them in the stores near me).
I have the blue dial version and love it. It fits my 7" wrist fine and isn't too thick to fit under a cuff. The polished hands on mine can make it hard to read under certain light conditions but you won't have that issue with the white version. If you like complications, you won't find another watch like this at anywhere near the price. Good luck!
First of all let me congratulate you for entering new ERA of mechanical collection. Now about the Longines Master collection watch which you have purchased is not just a good timepiece but it's a complication watch at entry level of mechanical watches. I was targeting for purchase of this watch some around 7 years back but was not able to crack the deal as the budget for this watch was crossing my financial limits so it didn't happen Now one by one I will explain the points which you have mentioned here.
The watch is of good quality with 7751 movement which is a complicated movement in its class. I made lot of research over internet to check a substitute model with same functionality and found many results. Many brands have this movement and come with similar or I can say much good look compared to Longines. Pierre Cardin, Breitling and much much affordable is Appella.
As you said the watch thickness is bit more...its due to the complications what it has inside...still I think they have managed these complication layers using only 25 Jewels movement...
Only thing is the sub dials are not readable sometimes as they appear very small. But this is also due to managing so many functionalities on 40mm dial. Hope you agree with this point.
Only thing about the glossy blue shine of hands sometimes make eyes to read details bit difficult.
Thank you for the feedback. I have not bought this watch yet and am just researching it at the moment. I share the same observations. While I really want to have at least one watch in my collection that has multiple complications, after more researches on this watch last night, I now became aware that it could be a nightmare to adjust the calendar if, say, I put it back on my wrist after a couple of months. As I have about 10 watches at the moment and I continue to further build my collection, this watch won't be on my wrist all the time. Now I am wondering if calendar without a quick set function is what I should get. Not decide yet but will continue to explore other models in addition to this one, as I do like the design of the dial of this watch.
My brother in law has this Watch and it is an absolute beauty. Feels really nice and comfortable on the wrist and looks classy as 👌🏻 the height of the watch doesn’t seem bad at all, I will be adding a Longines to the collection soon myself, an under rated brand in my opinion
Thank you for the feedback. Longines is one of the two watch brands I saw very frequently on the TV when I was a kid. So, it left with me a very good impression. I always think of Longines whenever entry level luxury brands are considered. Of course there are many more high-end brands, but at the entry level luxury price range, I feel Longines is among the best options available in the market.
Looking forward to see your Longines once you get it!
I owned both this model and a Master Retrograde Moonphase model. They did not disappoint but I sold both the watches to my retired accountant who loved them more than I at the time. The cases could have been better finished which is a common criticism of many Longines watches. They offer top value but the enthusiast just feels a few more thoughtful details could make the experience feel less entry level. The watches were quite thick but so are a few of my favourite Breitling watches including a recent purchase the Datora. There were no issues reading the different sub dials but I did not keep the watches more than a few weeks tbh.
Thank you for the feedback. I have also looked into the Master Retrograde Moonphase, but between the two, I like this model more. And the Retrograde Moonphase is even thicker than this one, I believe.
Yes, I also saw one review on Youtube saying the same thing about the finishing, and in that case, the criticism was mostly about the finishing of the movement.
This is a model I found appealing, but in the meantime, I also found one or two other Longines models that are also quite attractive. So, I'm still thinking.
Have tried this on multiple times and it often comes up in discussion with at work as it's just a great watch and excellent value for money imo
Thank you for your feedback. The price reflects a very good value for the money. I think it is likely the least expensive model that offers all these complications. It is very appealing and its style is also very beautiful.
Love this watch. Looks absolutely amazing in the metal and you do get great discounts against RRP for Longines here. I'm not a fan of chronographs so wouldn't get it myself but I adore the Master Collection retrograde. I just need to try one on to see if the thickness feels OK (and they never have them in the stores near me).
Oh.. you can still get a discount these days? I heard that discounts are already history now... I guess this depends on where one lives?
All the models in the Master Collection are generally very elegant. I also found their Records collection very nice, although those models are generally more simple.
I have the blue dial version and love it. It fits my 7" wrist fine and isn't too thick to fit under a cuff. The polished hands on mine can make it hard to read under certain light conditions but you won't have that issue with the white version. If you like complications, you won't find another watch like this at anywhere near the price. Good luck!
Thank you for your feedback.
The blue dial version looks more dressy, and the white dial version with the light brown leather strap looks a bit more casual. Both are excellent and which one to get really depends on what style one prefers for this particular piece.
I have a smaller wrist, and I can only go with the 40mm size.
Oh.. you can still get a discount these days? I heard that discounts are already history now... I guess this depends on where one lives?
All the models in the Master Collection are generally very elegant. I also found their Records collection very nice, although those models are generally more simple.
I was offered 30% off the model above.
I was offered 30% off the model above.
Woo.. That's wonderful! Congratulations for buying this beautiful watch at such a good price!