Longines Oposition - why so short lived?

I have an old Oposition. And always wonder why it seems to have been such a short lived model. It's so distinctly different to all the other watches Longines (or almost anyone) ever made.My first one got stolen and I hunted (long and hard) for a replacement that was the same model. Constant - or at least very regular - use for 20 years.But it's DIFFERENT. Nothing like it out there then or now.I posted this image in WRUW yesterday - been admiring the watch since. It's SO distinct.

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The above is what happens, children, when a TAG Heuer Link and an 60’s Omega Seamaster have an illicit affair…

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Interesting and certainly different. I think very smooth case designs often have a tough time and this one has a fairly thick bezel that the rounded case brings out. That said, I’m a fan of these designs and glad you were able to replace yours.

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It's super 90's , I agree with @JBird7986 it quite TAG meets Omega.

Nothing wrong with that.👍

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I suspect it was short lived as a model because people didn't buy it.

Distinct can be nice, or it can be off-putting.

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It was one of those models that were not a big seller for Longines. I remember in the late 90s and early 2000s Tag Heuer had a model like this, relatively inexpensive quartz, the kirium that was distinctive and was not a big seller either and also was discontinued after a short run. I like the look of that Longines, especially the chronograph version, but companies have to think of their bottom line and profit margins. If they produce a model that does not sell and does not give them the ability to make a good level of profit, they have to discontinue the watch and go back to the drawing board. The old timeless designs are the best, like the Speedmaster, a watch that was designed in the 1960s, but still looks contemporary today.

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Nothing like it out there then or now

sorry to disappoint this pity party, but don’t google the Tag Heuer Kirium.

Why so short lived? Nobody bought them. People don’t like change, and the 90s was obsessed with everything looking like a jobby. The future was spheroid-shaped, mainly because graphic design was clearly influenced with what could be produced on the Amiga.

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Different is different, not necessarily good or bad. In this case the model ended up not being popular and I can understand why as I find it ugly.

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Porthole

Nothing like it out there then or now

sorry to disappoint this pity party, but don’t google the Tag Heuer Kirium.

Why so short lived? Nobody bought them. People don’t like change, and the 90s was obsessed with everything looking like a jobby. The future was spheroid-shaped, mainly because graphic design was clearly influenced with what could be produced on the Amiga.

I thought the exact same thing when I saw it. A slightly less appealing (to me) Kirium without the rotating bezel.

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This flowing shape and style with an integrated bracelet was quite much common in the 90's early 2000. I own a chrono that is quite similar looking and I don't find it's very wearable, but as it was a gift it's going to remain in my collection.

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This type of design went out of style after 2000, mine is never worn because despite its 38mm diameter, the watch itself is heavy and the "wave" bracelet is too rigid to conform to my wrist.

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I like it. However I think Longines may have been too late to the game with the integrated bracelet. They were popular in the 70's-80's and died out around the turn of the century. Now, Tissot has brought back the PRX and Formex has some very handsome looking integrated bracelet watches. I also think the shape may have seemed a bit dated.

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Catskinner

This flowing shape and style with an integrated bracelet was quite much common in the 90's early 2000. I own a chrono that is quite similar looking and I don't find it's very wearable, but as it was a gift it's going to remain in my collection.

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This type of design went out of style after 2000, mine is never worn because despite its 38mm diameter, the watch itself is heavy and the "wave" bracelet is too rigid to conform to my wrist.

That is very cool. Too bad it’s not wearable. The bracelet immediately brought to mind a centipede,

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Porthole

Nothing like it out there then or now

sorry to disappoint this pity party, but don’t google the Tag Heuer Kirium.

Why so short lived? Nobody bought them. People don’t like change, and the 90s was obsessed with everything looking like a jobby. The future was spheroid-shaped, mainly because graphic design was clearly influenced with what could be produced on the Amiga.

Pity party? What?

I had a look at the kirium - not the same at all. The longines, just taking one point, doesn't have a bezel at all. Just case.

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MissingMilo

I thought the exact same thing when I saw it. A slightly less appealing (to me) Kirium without the rotating bezel.

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Different strokes! The kirium reminds me why I don't like Tag. To my eyes that's just UUUUGLY!

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JBird7986

The above is what happens, children, when a TAG Heuer Link and an 60’s Omega Seamaster have an illicit affair…

i can see what you mean - in a way. But, again, the link reminds me why i dislike tag!

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hughtoo

Different strokes! The kirium reminds me why I don't like Tag. To my eyes that's just UUUUGLY!

Pot… meet kettle.

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I would bet it was the integrated bracelet

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Speed59

I would bet it was the integrated bracelet

Just not the fashion at the time?

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Catskinner

This flowing shape and style with an integrated bracelet was quite much common in the 90's early 2000. I own a chrono that is quite similar looking and I don't find it's very wearable, but as it was a gift it's going to remain in my collection.

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This type of design went out of style after 2000, mine is never worn because despite its 38mm diameter, the watch itself is heavy and the "wave" bracelet is too rigid to conform to my wrist.

The oposition just vanishes on wrist. the watch is barely thicker than the bracelet.

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evilgnome

I like it. However I think Longines may have been too late to the game with the integrated bracelet. They were popular in the 70's-80's and died out around the turn of the century. Now, Tissot has brought back the PRX and Formex has some very handsome looking integrated bracelet watches. I also think the shape may have seemed a bit dated.

I don't know about dated. But "odd" might describe it. (let's not argue over words!)

No bezel. Almost no features beyond the case shape. It's the least "adorned" watch I think I've ever seen.

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Robcollects

Interesting and certainly different. I think very smooth case designs often have a tough time and this one has a fairly thick bezel that the rounded case brings out. That said, I’m a fan of these designs and glad you were able to replace yours.

Actually there's no bezel at all. Just case.