If a brand names one of its products “Legend,” you’d better hope said product can back up that lofty moniker. And for the past 16 years, that has been the case for the Longines Legend Diver. Debuting in 2007 as a modernized version of the super compressor dive watches the brand produced from the late 1950s through the early ’70s, the Legend Diver has arguably been Longines’ flagship offering for the past decade and a half.
But as beloved as the vintage-style diver was, the Legend Diver still had its foibles. Enthusiasts complained about the lack of a true bracelet option, the too-large (42mm) and too-small (36mm) case sizes, the practically non-existent lume and the near-impossibility of tracking down a rare no-date reference. Well, today Longines has launched a brand-new generation of the Legend Diver that โ at least on paper โ would appear to address everyone’s issues with the prior version. But how does the new Longines Legend Diver translate in the metal? I spent a week wearing it to find out.
Longines Legend Diver: What We Think
Longines has clearly been listening to its customers. The completely revamped Legend Diver has a more versatile case size at 39mm, far better lume, a COSC-certified movement, a more modern design and a true stainless steel bracelet option for the first time โ fitted end links and safety clasp included. The dial even eschews the date, something fans of the watch have been clamoring for.
Overall, I love the new Legend Diver and think it will be a massive hit for Longines โ I don’t see the Legend losing its status as Longines’ de facto flagship anytime soon. However, I do miss the fauxtina and mesh bracelet of the older version, as they helped give it a retro-cool je ne sais quoi that the fancier new rendition doesn’t quite capture. Despite that, I think it’s still the best retro dive watch on the market for the money.
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