🤿 👉🏼 NWA 👈🏼 🤿 Longines Heritage Skin Diver 🤿 👉🏼 NWA 👈🏼 🤿

I've been thinking about picking one of these up for a while now. I came across this at the right price, so here's my hot take:

I have a large and flat wrist, so for me long lugs are a positive and I like a re-issue - so it's no surprise that I gravitate towards Longines.

The (now discontinued) Heritage Skin Diver is the re-issue of Longines' first Dive Watch - the 6921 Nautilus - first released in 1957.

The dimensions are … intimidating: 42mm X 13.75mm with a lug to lug of 52.55.

Despite favouring smaller watches in general I do like my divers to have a bit of size. Neither width or depth is an issue, they're pretty spot on in fact - at least for me. And the depth may sound problematic (being the better part of 14mm) but the generously domed sapphire crystal accounts for almost 2mm and the lugs angle downward allowing the watch to wrap around and the caseback to sink into the wrist. This makes for a surprisingly slim case profile and a surprisingly comfortable fit. That's not to say it doesn't 'wear big'. It does, but it wears well.

The original Longines Nautilus was 40mm - huge for the time - and the re-issue would've undoubtedly been more popular if Longines had've opted for a straight one to one 're-make', but other than size that's exactly what this is - a re-make with updated tech.

The bezel is steel with a black PVD coating and replaces the Bakelite featured on the original. The engine is a L.888.2, a modified ETA 2893 base beating at 25,200 VPH with 21 jewels and a 64hr PR, instead of the A. Schilds AS19 featured in the original.

The 'Butt Plug' hour hand and gladius minute hand stay the same as the original too - and it's a fantastic hand-set, the legibility is exceptional. The dial is also unchanged and the arabics at the quarters (with a classic open six and nine) create some symmetry and leave breathing room and negative space. The dial itself is matte black with a sandpaper-like texture.

And the case has the same spear-fisher motif on the caseback as the original:

It comes with three strap choices, black 'tropic' rubber, a mesh bracelet or a tobacco brown leather. I chose the latter, mainly because I like the look but also because Longines do leather straps well.

It's a shame it doesn't come on a BoR bracelet - as the 6902 Nautilus did but luckily Uncle Seiko make one for the 42mm Legend Diver and thanks to virtually identical specs, it'll fit. I've ordered one - so coming soon to a WRUW post soon …

Until then I'll be swapping between the Haveston single-pass canvas:

And a Khaki Nato:

Fit and finish is at Longines usual high standard.

The top of the lugs are circular satin brushed and the case side is highly polished. The bezel is finished in semi gloss and frames the box domed sapphire crystal rather nicely indeed.