Blast From The Past

The column-wheel Single push-piece Chronograph from Longines stirs up Fond memories of its Storied heritage.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
 The column-wheel Single push-piece Chronograph from Longines stirs up Fond memories of its Storied heritage. 
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The hallmark of good design is a creation that remains timeless. And few manufacturers of fine horology have established themselves as well as Longines. Timepieces in the Heritage collection by Longines have always paid tribute to the pioneering spirit that inspired its designers. From the days when the brand’s watches would accompany pioneers on adventures across air, land and sea until today, its designs have continuously been refined and updated to boast classical elegance.

Performance, naturally, remains a fundamental focus in each watch. Combining the hallmarks of exquisite design and craftsmanship, a rich tradition and technical precision in timekeeping, the brand with the winged hourglass for a logo has firmly established itself as the go-to timekeeper, especially in the realm of championship sports.

The white lacquered dial with blued-finish steel hands.
The white lacquered dial with blued-finish steel hands.
Black matte dial with rhodium-plated hands.
Black matte dial with rhodium-plated hands.
THE HERITAGE CONNECTION

One such re-issue is the Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph. A handsome tool watch that reflects timeless style and mechanical precision, it also features a chronograph complication that appeals to one’s discerning preference for a versatile timepiece: It can be worn at work or to a fancy dinner, and yet is functional enough to measure distance and speed. Housed within this timeless 41mm steel case, with a transparent case back revealing the intricacies of the brand’s signature movement, is an exclusive calibre L788.2 (ETA A08.L11) engine with a blued-finish column wheel revealing a perfectly symmetrical profile.

Like a performance car whose form has been sculpted in a wind tunnel, a neat single push piece extending from the crown is used to control the chronograph function. Like the car, this feature reinforces the model’s sleek, sporty and purpose-built design. To suit specific tastes, the watch is available with a black matte or white lacquered dial, with black or white contrasting Arabic numerals and tachymeter scale. For further contrast and easy reading, rhodium-plated or blued-finish steel hands feature in the respective colour variants. Completing the look is a choice of brown or black alligator leather strap with buckle.

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FULFILLING THE NEED FOR SPEED

This being a watch that’s meant to be used on the go, a quick push of the push piece is all it takes to get the chronograph started. That way, you can focus your attention on the road and enjoy the driving. To measure speed, note the distance travelled over the time that has elapsed. Located centrally at the 12 o’clock mark, the prominent 60-second hand helps in pointing out the fine details on the tachymeter scale. With precise performance and elegant look, the Longines Column-Wheel Single Push- Piece Chronograph has been perfectly and meticulously crafted to sit on the wrist of the motoring enthusiast. Seeing is believing, so experience the performance for yourself today at #B1-90A/B The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, tel: 6634-9893 or #02-132 Marina Square, tel: 6336-9495.