With two new releases, the The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph and The Longines Column-Wheel Sports Chronograph the brand continues to consolidate its historical position as creators of classical and sporty timekeepers.

Longines Column Wheel Chronograph

Both pieces use the L688.2 self-winding movement developed with ETA which was launched in 2009.  For many traditionalists the presence of a column-wheel (in this case blued steel) to control the chronograph function is an indicator of a “true chronograph” as most modern chronographs use cams attached to a base calibre movement to start, stop and return to zero the chronograph, rather than the column-wheel which achieves the same purpose but which is an integral part of the movement. Whatever your opinions on this however the L688.2 is certainly a contemporary interpretation of a column-wheel chronograph movement using up to date technology and one which Longines state is “exceptionally user-friendly” and requires “only the finest touch to start and stop the mechanism”.

The L688.2 movement has a power reserve of 54 hours and both pieces feature small seconds at 9 o’clock, date aperture a 4.30, 30-minute counter at 3 0’clock and 12 hour counter at 6 o’clock.  The dauphine shaped hands are coated with Super-LumiNova®.  Water resistance is to 30m for the Column Wheel Chronograph and 100m for the Column Wheel Sports Chronograph thanks to its screwed-in case back.

L688.2 Column Wheel Chronograph movement

The Column-Wheel Chronograph is the more elegant of the two with a  39mm steel or rose gold case, featuring classical detailing such as a silvered dial on dark brown alligator strap and the Column-Wheel Sports Chronograph slightly larger at 41mm features more striking choices of steel with black lacquered or brushed grey dial and steel bracelet or steel with contrasting black or grey ceramic central links or rubber strap.

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