The history of this Longines Legend Diver Bronze
The House of Longines left a lasting mark on the history of underwater diving in the late 1950s. To meet the demanding requirements of the explorers of the era, the brand collaborated with engineer Ervin Piquerez in order to integrate the famous Super-Compressor case patent. This particularly ingenious innovative system used water pressure to compress the caseback against the internal gasket, thus increasing water resistance as the diver descended into the depths. The original reference 7042 introduced in 1959 immediately stood out with its two asymmetrical crowns and its rotating inner bezel positioned beneath the crystal. This major technical choice protected immersion time calculations against accidental shocks against reefs. The Longines Legend Diver Bronze reference L3.774.1.50.2 proudly perpetuates this technical heritage. It reprises the original architecture while adopting a living alloy that develops a patina over time and with exposure to the elements.
Case, calibre and bracelet of this Legend Diver Bronze
The 42 mm case is entirely crafted from solid bronze. This material reacts to its environment and develops a unique oxidation according to the lifestyle of its wearer. To guarantee optimal wrist comfort and avoid any allergy, the solid caseback is machined in titanium. The watch is topped by a thick box-type domed sapphire crystal, imitating the plexiglass crystals of the past while benefiting from a multi-layer anti-reflective treatment. Beneath this transparent dome, the lacquered dial reveals a deep green gradient subtly darkening towards the periphery. The rectangular indexes, Arabic numerals and sword-shaped hands are richly filled with beige Super-LumiNova to evoke vintage radium. This piece is powered by the automatic calibre L888 developed exclusively for the brand. This mechanical movement offers a comfortable 72-hour power reserve and beats at the unusual frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour. It is also equipped with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring. The ensemble guarantees certified water resistance to 300 metres. The watch is fitted with a green woven fabric strap secured by a bronze pin buckle.
Why this Longines watch
The profound appeal of this configuration lies in its constantly evolving aesthetics. The bronze naturally darkens over the months, making each example entirely personal. Purists and collectors particularly appreciate the complete absence of a date window on this dial. This strong design choice preserves the historical symmetry of the original design and purifies the immediate reading of the time. This special edition represents an ideal compromise between an openly assumed vintage aesthetic and extremely demanding contemporary manufacturing standards.
Delivered contents and condition
This piece is delivered complete with its imposing wooden box specific to the Heritage editions. The set includes the watch, a high-quality aged brown calfskin additional strap, an adjustment tool and its original documents. The watch presents itself in very good condition overall. The case and strap remain in excellent overall condition, showing only very light external signs of wear consistent with occasional and respectful use. The curvature of the crystal remains intact. This example has been carefully inspected in the workshop to guarantee its excellent mechanical performance and everyday reliability.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this exceptional piece. Returns are accepted within 10 days according to our conditions. Leader in pre-owned luxury in Switzerland and backed by the largest network of boutiques, we offer online reservation for an in-store fitting and collection or fully secured international shipping.
* Very good condition – watch already worn and polished. Light external signs of wear. Case and bracelet in excellent overall condition.
