I like the fact that you can choose what you like. I choose to keep my bronze watches without patina. That requires me to use a bit of lemon juice from time to time, and that‘s just something I accept when I get the watch. I love how the fresh bronze looks like. And the ones who likes the patina just saves a bit of effort, and everyone’s happy :-)

Aaah, you’ve touched upon my favorite topic. When I began my watch journey I didn’t know about AR, but I found out the hard way that I absolutely cannot stand a watch without AR coating. It’s my pet peeve. For example my Tudor Monte Carlo that had a wonderful design and no AR coating. It bugged me to no end, and I had to sell it. The problem with little or no AR coating is twofold: 

1. Not being able to see the time, and then you have to “tilt” the watch to get a viewing angle. This is the lesser problem. 

2. You can’t see the vibrant dial colours as there is a slight whitish haze in the crystal that obscures the dial. It creates a barrier between you and the watch dial, and it‘s like eating a lollypop with the wrapping still on. Not a good experience. (I have another good analogy, but I must restrain myself :-)

Watches with good AR coating invites you in and let’s you see all the colours and all the details. One step further and you have several layers of AR coating on BOTH sides (like some Omega and Breitling etc) and you are literally “sucked in” to the dial. I like double-sided AR coating - I’m sure you are not surprised. I know people don’t, and I would also not buy double-AR if it is a beater watch. It can be a big problem I agree. But the magic of the double AR coating is palpable and I love it. My advice to you: Go for AR coating on the inside, but ask for and require several layers. It is really important. Or go the other direction that I also like: Go acrylic like in the old days. I love acrylic as it gives a very nice warmth, and there is no glare that needs an AR coating. Go old school, yay. You can always buff out a scratch with Polywatch. Viewing the dial is incredibly much more important than whether the watch has 40 or 48 hours of power reserve. Just my 2 cents. 
 

I think the question is wrong. I don’t care if the watch company is new and a microbrand. It‘s all about the watch, so yes, I will pay. There are the usual limitations of not being able to try the watch on, and having to wait for a youtuber to show it etc. But the question is not whether it is a microbrand or not. If a new restaurant started in your city, and it looked upscale and with good chefs and a really appealing menu, and your friend had an amazing meal, would you then insist on only paying 50% because the restaurant was new?? The question should instead be on design, quality, finishing, measurements…

I think all the commenters are surprisingly full of common sense. Thumbs up. I really like both brands, but have many more Seiko, and especially 2 Alpinists. Longines have been an old-fashioned dusty brand for a long time, and then they suddenly burst on the scene with an eye-opening new Spirit. So I bought my first Longines, the 37mm champagne, and boy is this a good one. The dial is in a league of its own. I also really like the Seiko dial, and I have seen this in the flesh and was thinking of buying this too. The only thing holding me back was the case, which is boring, b o r i n g. Yawning boring case, but with an extremely handsome dial, so it’s a mismatch. The Longines is a fullbred and a clear winner. The only question is your wrist size and what size of watch you are used to. For some a 37mm is a touch too small. I have a 7’’ wrist and I can do the 37mm, but I do wish it was 38.5mm or 39mm, but you can’t have it all. 

I agree with JamesUK. I just love the metal and the colour, and keep my bronze watches ”fresh” with some lemon juice. It does take 2 minutes, but it’s a small price to pay to get the fresh look. That Oris two-tone sure looks good!

Hi.
Thanks for the thorough review. Well done. I just bought the 37mm champagne version, but on a leather strap. I’m waiting for delivery, but there were two things I noticed when trying it on:

1. The double-AR coating is something I like a lot, but people should know about it beforehand. If you wear the watch everywhere doing everything, then the AR coating on the top surface can get scratched, and that is a big bummer. For me it‘s fine as I wear the watch to work etc, but choose another watch when I go hiking etc. It’s just really worth pointing this AR coating issue out before people buy it.
   
   2. The size. My sweet spot is 39mm, and I had hoped this one would be 39mm (I know, it’s too close to 40mm but now harm in hoping) or at least 38mm. 37 mm is perhaps a tiny bit smaller than I wold have liked - but I need to wear the watch for a week or so before I can tell. I bought the watch anyway, but it IS a risk because I don’t know for sure how it will feel. I measured it at the store - because watch brands can never provide the true measurements on their websites (something that has always puzzled me because how hard can it be). The width seems to be something like 37.3mm which is fine (bigger is better), but I’ll double check when I get the watch. I’m hoping the 37.3mm and the L2L will make it “feel” like a 38mm watch. I have a 7’’ wrist so 38mm is ok, but I don’t want to go too much below that. I hope it will be allright. By the way, you didn’t mention your wrist size…and how the watch wears….

Thanks for a great review.

Hey, let’s see it when it’s done. I appreciate rose gold watches with silver dials.