Longines Legend Diver 39mm in the flesh... And meh
Hi folks,
Happy new year, first of all. Wishing you a wonderful 2024 filled with health, success, and fulfilment of your watch goals!
Like most of the internet watch community, I got excited about the new 39mm version of the Legend Diver. I don't own a dive watch yet (blasphemy to most of you here, I bet!) and was highly considering this one. I liked the retro look and the size is right for my 6.6/6.7" wrist.
After seeing both the black and blue in person and on different straps (saw the blue on a nato as well), it was a bit meh. I didn't have high expectations, yet still I was "whelmed" at best - definitely not over, not under.
The good points: the size was perfect. The 12.7mm thickness was fairly obvious on the nato with it's domed crystal and protruding case back, but on the bracelet the case back kinda sinks into your wrist, hiding some bulk. The beads of rice bracelet is super comfortable.
The dial is busy in a good way to me and it works for this watch. Probably because the outer ring lines up with the inner ring. NB: in my pictures they don't align for some reason and I couldn't adjust the internal bezel as they wrapped it up. However, the black and white was kinda plain Jane and ot doing much for me. The blue was more interesting, but it lacked something special about it. It was missing some x factor that made me LOVE the watch, which is my usual litmus test. Maybe this one's not for me and time to strike this off my overly long short list anyway?
Does anyone own one and want to chime in on why you really like this watch that I'm missing?
Avid watch wearer, not collector. Like my children, I love all of my watches equally, but I love my Lange the best.
Not shocked by this take. Although I imagine I would like it more than the OP, the full retail price does not seem justified, comparatively. But might still get it used or off grey market
I fully believe this is a well made quality watch but it’s not for me. Like many of you I think Longines is doing great but this one ain’t for me.
Think the same, good but not outstanding
Not shocked by this take. Although I imagine I would like it more than the OP, the full retail price does not seem justified, comparatively. But might still get it used or off grey market
Hmm, consistent feedback so far. I still like it, but I wanted to LOVE it. My Seiko Alpinist Mystic Forest is much cheaper than this, but I really, really liked it in pictures and the real thing. Didn't get the feels for the legend diver.
I still like it, but you're right not at the quoted price of SGD 4870/USD 3700. I'd much rather get this Atelier Wen at the same price point.
Think the same, good but not outstanding
Haha. You summed up my many words into the perfect phrase.
The Longines Legend Diver is one watch that I have admired for a long long time but did not purchase until a black PVD iteration was launched in the original size with date which are preferences for me. I understand fully how you are not super impressed with the watch but I am actually wearing my LD as I write this comment, which is fitted with a black clasp and rubber strap, sort of a very casual watch that I can wear comfortably doing everyday events. I personally feel that Longines watches from their amazing catalogue could benefit with a slight upgrade to fit and finish that might bump the MSRP a few hundred or thousand but would be so worth it.
Maybe it's a grower - I wasn't impressed with my Grail when I finally got it, but over the years the quality shone through & I'll never part with it and find it hard to wear anything else.
The Longines Legend Diver is one watch that I have admired for a long long time but did not purchase until a black PVD iteration was launched in the original size with date which are preferences for me. I understand fully how you are not super impressed with the watch but I am actually wearing my LD as I write this comment, which is fitted with a black clasp and rubber strap, sort of a very casual watch that I can wear comfortably doing everyday events. I personally feel that Longines watches from their amazing catalogue could benefit with a slight upgrade to fit and finish that might bump the MSRP a few hundred or thousand but would be so worth it.
I actually preferred the more interesting fume dials of the older one despite the date window. I think the new size is great and that longines will use it as a platform to experiment with other colors! Looking forward to that day
Maybe it's a grower - I wasn't impressed with my Grail when I finally got it, but over the years the quality shone through & I'll never part with it and find it hard to wear anything else.
It's a possibility. I thought the Moser streamliner was fugly at first, but it did grow on me and now I love it.
The speedy I tried to let it grow on me, but to no avail so far...
No rush to buy, so I'll see what longines does with it just like Tag and their new glassbox is a great platform to launch different designs.
I actually preferred the more interesting fume dials of the older one despite the date window. I think the new size is great and that longines will use it as a platform to experiment with other colors! Looking forward to that day
I can be critical of my black PVD model the dial appears a little low rent but the watch remains a favourite.
I can be critical of my black PVD model the dial appears a little low rent but the watch remains a favourite.
I wouldn't call it low rent, but maybe I actually did expect too much from it because I was super excited. I have a simple white dial nomos, now that's a very simple watch!
I wouldn't call it low rent, but maybe I actually did expect too much from it because I was super excited. I have a simple white dial nomos, now that's a very simple watch!
👍
Got the same vibe with the Legend Diver…can appreciate it but it won’t be on the purchase list…what about a Certina DS 38mm?
Interesting. I liked the 42 when I tried it. Haven't tried the 39 yet. The one on strap looks great.
im going to go in a total opposite direction... love what the brand is doing, I dont think id waste the money on this, but would opt for the Ultra Chron. the movement and the cushion shape is more then enough to take my monies
I want to like Longines more than I do. The Spirit Zulu on paper and at first glance is perfect for me, for example, but between the amount of text on the dial and the combination of vertical and radial numbers just makes it unappealing. The Hydroconquest GMT also should be perfect for me - I love Dive GMT’s - but the squished snowflake hand and multitude of shapes makes it not work for me.
Same with the Legend Diver. At first glance, I love it first glance, but in person, the lines just clutter it up that I lose interest.
One of these days, they’ll make something that really appeals, but not yet.
I want to like Longines more than I do. The Spirit Zulu on paper and at first glance is perfect for me, for example, but between the amount of text on the dial and the combination of vertical and radial numbers just makes it unappealing. The Hydroconquest GMT also should be perfect for me - I love Dive GMT’s - but the squished snowflake hand and multitude of shapes makes it not work for me.
Same with the Legend Diver. At first glance, I love it first glance, but in person, the lines just clutter it up that I lose interest.
One of these days, they’ll make something that really appeals, but not yet.
Same experience here with the Legend Diver. I really thought it was gonna be my first diver, but when I saw it in person I didn’t even feel like trying it on. 🤷🏻♂️
Enjoying mine!
Beautiful photos and this is exactly what I mean. I see it on someone's wrist and I think it looks fantastic. I hold it in hand, meh.
This to me is a compromise watch. I own one diver but I would like to own compressor style with an internally roaring bezel like this. I’d say compromise as the jlc Polaris to me is THE watch in this segment. I have considered the longines but will hold out for the Polaris when the time is right to add to the collection.
Thank you for your honest take.
Hmm, I never knew the Polaris was a compressor diver. I do like the look of the no date version! I will have a look at it again.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". This is when marketing enters the ring.
Got the same vibe with the Legend Diver…can appreciate it but it won’t be on the purchase list…what about a Certina DS 38mm?
I've never considered Certina, but I like the look of the titanium version! I need to do more research to check out this powermatic 80 movement. Seems like the same one in the PRX with the plastic escapement?
Hmm, I never knew the Polaris was a compressor diver. I do like the look of the no date version! I will have a look at it again.
It’s not an actual compressor , just that style.
It’s not an actual compressor , just that style.
Ah I see
Even in pics and youtube this model just doesnt attract me. Havent seen it in the flesh though.
I Much prefer the spirit zulu time. That one pulled me in the moment i saw it.
And yes, how could you not own a divewatch? 😛
Even in pics and youtube this model just doesnt attract me. Havent seen it in the flesh though.
I Much prefer the spirit zulu time. That one pulled me in the moment i saw it.
And yes, how could you not own a divewatch? 😛
I know, it just happened... Kinda why I was researching the Blancpain FF, the Baltic Aquascaphe, now this Longines, I really liked the BB 58 silver but don't want the tarnish (too bad, I loved the grey on grey). I'm still diver-less..
I know, it just happened... Kinda why I was researching the Blancpain FF, the Baltic Aquascaphe, now this Longines, I really liked the BB 58 silver but don't want the tarnish (too bad, I loved the grey on grey). I'm still diver-less..
tHe bright side is there's so many brands to choose from for divers. Take your time ☺️
I had the same feeling when I saw it in person as I was expecting the 39mm to have a lot of good improvements over the 42mm models since the bronze 42mm variant has been on my list for quite a while but was disappointed in person...I too went meh. The 36/42mm variants felt like they had better case finishing compared to the 39mm variants. Apart from the improvement in the lume and COSC certification, the new models looked very plain with all polished case finishing and the bor bracelet felt comfortable but wasn't impressive either, the center beads finishing looked like it was chrome plated. Maybe more colour variants like the existing models would have been nice with the release. Plus the pricing felt too high compared to the 42mm models which are about $1000 cheaper.
I probably will swing for the 42mm bronze variant which I initially liked and since the discount I got for it was considerable after the 39mm release, it sounds like a better watch to buy.
I had a similar feeling with the 39m Legend Diver, and then I tried the 36m...completely changed my perspective. It just makes sense at that size. maybe give that a shot before making a decision?
Happy Hunting!
Spot on description I think!
Interesting watch, but too plain for me. 🎯
I had a similar feeling with the 39m Legend Diver, and then I tried the 36m...completely changed my perspective. It just makes sense at that size. maybe give that a shot before making a decision?
Happy Hunting!
36mm... Hmm, I do own a 36mm watch but I think a dive watch should be larger. I'll check it out.