What We Know
For collectors, the Longines Legend Diver seemingly hit a sweet spot in sizing during its 39mm refresh back in 2023. But, as with many things in life, you can’t please ’em all with just one version. So today’s new Legend Diver 59 offers a much larger interpretation of the brand’s tribute to its 1959 design, in a 42mm model that will surely make a lot of larger wrists happy. It’s not the brand’s only 42mm Legend Diver, technically speaking, since some older models are still listed in the catalog. But it’s the first larger size to have come out since that 2023 refresh.
The 42mm case has a thickness of 12.85mm and a lug-to-lug measurement of 50.1mm. As customary with the Legend Divers, two crowns sit on the right side of the case, with the one at two o’clock for rotating the internal bezel and the one at four o’clock to wind and set the time.
What this new Legend Diver 59 offers as a new design touch comes in the dial. Whereas the current generation Legend Divers sport glossy lacquer dials, this Legend Diver 59 has a matte black grained-texture dial and internal bezel for a more rugged look. Adding to that aesthetic are new sandblasted hands and indices, which are then paired with three-dimensional Super-LumiNova accents in an old radium color.
The Legend Diver 59 is COSC-certified, thanks to the ETA-manufactured but exclusive-to-Longines automatic caliber L888.6. It’s a distinctly modern caliber, featuring a silicon balance spring and a power reserve of 72 hours. Delivered on the new generation of Milanese mesh bracelet we saw debut on the Hydroconquests earlier this year, with micro-adjust, as well as an extra black rubber strap, the new Longines Legend Diver 59 is priced at $4,100.
What We Think
Even though this one is much too large for me, the brand’s offerings this year clearly show an appetite for larger watches. Longines has really been on quite a roll recently, with the new generation of Hydroconquests creating quite the buzz earlier this year. And in the brand’s second dive watch release of the year, I’d say that this one is a winner as well. If the Hydroconquests gained popularity by losing quite a bit of its quirkiness, the Legend Diver certainly preserves its identity and even doubles down with those more appropriately toolish additions.
The new matte-textured look with sandblasted dial furniture is a really nice touch, and I would personally hope to see this livery eventually make its way back down to the 39mm models. For those who found the current generation Legend Divers just a bit too shiny and modern, this aesthetic will certainly be a hit.
The Basics
Brand: Longines
Model: Legend Diver 59
Reference Number: L3.795.4.59.9
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 12.85mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Black
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes, Super-LumiNova in Old Radium
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Milanese mesh with micro adjustment system and extre black rubber strap with buckle
The Movement
Caliber: L888.6
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 VpH (3.5Hz)
Chronometer Certified: Yes, COSC-certified
Pricing & Availability
Price: $4,100
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
