Introducing: An Icy New White-Dial Variant Of The 39mm Longines Legend Diver
The 39mm Longines Legend Diver is one of those rare watches that all of us at Fratello HQ like. While most watches spark at least some kind of debate among Fratello editors, the Legend Diver is universally admired. So when Longines releases a new dial variant, we pay attention, especially when it is a crisp white dial, perfect for summer.
The new Longines Legend Diver in white costs €3,800 on the beads-of-rice bracelet. Let’s have a closer look!
A refresher course on the Longines Legend Diver
Since this new white version is technically the same as the existing Longines Legend Diver, let’s kick things off with a quick recap. The stainless steel case has a pleasing 39mm diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug. Paired with a 12.7mm thickness, that makes for near-perfect dive watch proportions. Longines rates the water resistance at an ample 300 meters. You get a sapphire crystal up top and a stainless steel screw-in case back with a decorative engraving.
The 39mm Legend Diver takes after a 1959 model and, consequently, oozes vintage vibes. Interestingly, the original, with its 42mm diameter, was substantially bigger. Inside ticks the automatic caliber L888, a Longines-exclusive adaptation of the old ETA 2892-A2. In this guise, it ticks at 25,200 beats per hour, resulting in approximately 72 hours of power reserve. Notably, the 39mm Legend Diver features no date complication, keeping the dial nice and symmetrical
The watch comes on a stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet. It offers micro-adjustment, but it will require a tool to set it. Last but certainly not least, the characteristic two-crown layout enables dive timing via the internal rotating bezel.
A white dial for the Longines Legend Diver
So, on to today’s news. Longines releases a new Legend Diver with a white dial. The dial is matte in texture, with blacked-out numerals and hands and black printing for maximum contrast.
The lume appears ever so slightly pale green, which visually separates the hands from the dial quite neatly. You will find lume plots for every hour and a luminous triangle marking 60 minutes on the rotating bezel. I am glad Longines did not opt for faux patina because this looks much cleaner and fresher.
Initial impressions
I love white-dial dive watches, but I also think it is one of the hardest colors to nail. The wrong tone can look overly clinical or cold. It can even appear unfinished, as if it is a primer coat that is yet to be finished with a colored lacquer. I am glad to report that this isn’t the case here. Although this is pure white and, therefore, quite cool, it looks right at home and very appealing.
I particularly like the hard contrast with the black applied indexes. The legibility truly is spot on.
All in all, this new colorway turns the Longines Legend Diver into even more of a perfect summer watch than it already was. I can see myself poolside with this. In fact, with the summer holidays around the corner, I am quite tempted!
What do you think of the new Longines Legend Diver in white? Let us know in the comments section below!
