Close-Up Photos of Longines’ New Master Collection

I’d like to see another brand beat the value proposition of Longines’ newly launched Master references. Selling enough four-figure watches to realize a billion dollars in revenue is an outstanding feat, yet Longines accomplishes this year after year.

The Haute Minute

On August 25th, Longines unveiled a 41mm monopusher chronograph, a 41mm chronograph moonphase, and time-and-date watches in 30mm, 34mm, 39mm, and 41mm case sizes. All these novelties are powered by movements engineered exclusively for Longines.

This success stems from exceptional self-awareness: acknowledging that it isn’t competing in haute horlogerie or birthing the next grail allowed Longines to set its sights on dominating the entry-luxury space—and win. While this price point pits Longines against an increasingly diverse array of independent brands, almost none can match Longines’ combination of proprietary movements and spellbinding design codes, backed by nearly 200 years of heritage.

Hands-On With Longines’ New Master Collection [+ Close-Up Photos] — A Longines triple calendar from 1911 that inspired the new Longines Master Chrono MoonphasePhoto credit: Longines

The Master Collection’s Design Codes

The defining aesthetic of the revamped Master Collection centers on applied Breguet-style numerals, subtly stepped dials, classic case and lug geometry, fluted crowns, and vintage railroad tracks—all framed by discerning proportions.

Upon closer inspection, some of these novelties feature pulsometer scales in place of standard track layouts, nodding to pre-digital-age timepieces once vital to fields like medicine and aviation.

These traits honor the legacy of the 21-year-old Master Collection, which was refined and relaunched in June 2026, and accompanied by a major campaign featuring ambassadors like Henry Cavill, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Winslet, Eddie Peng, Yosh Yu, and Zhao Liying.

These exquisite details span the newly unveiled lineup, which ranges from time-and-date models in 30mm, 34mm, 39mm, and 41mm case sizes to a Chrono Moonphase and the collection’s first-ever Monopusher Chrono.

Most of these models sport barleycorn patterns on the center of their dials, while this intricate motif adorns the periphery of the smaller 30mm and 34mm models’ dials.

Flip these watches over, and their sapphire casebacks reveal decorated movements complete with Côtes de Genève, blued screws, a blued column wheel in each chronograph model, micro-polishing, and perlage. While many of these processes are the product of automation rather than human hands, the visual result remains nothing short of gratifying for watches under the US$5,000 mark.

The Time-and-Date References

The 30mm and 34mm models arrive with frosted blue sunburst and white mother-of-pearl dial options. Complemented by Wesselton diamond-set indices, they are available in steel (US$2,900 for the 30mm model, from US$2,500 for the 34mm model) and steel-and-gold (US$3,450 for the 30mm model, from US$3,650 for the 34mm model). The entry model without diamonds retails at $2,400.

The 30mm references are powered by the caliber L592.5 with 45-hour power reserve, while the L888.5 movement with 72-hour power reserve drives the 34mm, 39mm, and 41mm references.

The 39mm (US$2,650) and 41mm (US$2,750) models showcase light blue barleycorn dials with rhodium-plated hands.

Coming in at just over 9mm thick, these references feature slim profiles that are both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable on the wrist.

A respected figure in the industry once highlighted to me: “If you want to see what a brand thinks of itself, look at its highest complication, but if you want to see what the brand thinks of its followers, look at its entry-level offerings.”

While many of Switzerland’s top manufactures have begun fitting their accessible models with quartz movements, all these novelties are powered by movements developed exclusively for Longines and equipped with anti-magnetic silicon balance springs.

Longines Master Chrono Moonphase

First introduced by Longines when the Master Collection was launched in 2005, this complication is essentially a triple calendar.

Inspired by 1911 pocket watches that can be admired in the Longines Museum in Saint-Imier, the Longines Chrono Moonphase is driven by the calibre L687.5 with 66-hour power reserve. It measures 41mm across—a nice compromise between the previous 40mm and 42mm iterations of the Longines triple calendar—with a reasonable 13.8mm thickness and 48.6mm lug-to-lug width.

Offering two complications with grace rather than clutter, its US$4,250 asking price is hard to resist.

Longines Master Monopusher Chrono

Finally, the headline thief, which marks the Longines Master Collection’s first-ever monopusher chronograph. It traces its lineage back to 1911 when Longines created one of the industry’s first chronograph wristwatches, which would be worn by renowned aviators and explorers throughout the 20^th century.

Once again, Longines accentuates a frosted blue barleycorn dial with rhodium-plated hands and numerals, while the silver opaline version is furnished with 5N red gold. The bicompax subdials on both variants have been snailed to contrast the barleycorn motif that has become the calling card of this collection.

While all the other debutants are automatic, the Longines Monopusher Chrono is powered by a manual-winding L799.5 movement with 68 hours of autonomy. Its 41mm steel case is 12.6mm thick and 48.6mm lug-to-lug, and is priced at an enticing US$3,900.

The Jury Is Out

Across the board, these new additions all guarantee 30m of water resistance and are offered on either a bracelet or a fine-adjustment strap at about the same price point, save for the Monopusher Chronograph, which is paired exclusively with alligator leather.

While most collectors will naturally gravitate towards the bracelet options for maximum value, I lean toward the straps (or perhaps a vegan substitute). The Master Collection bracelet offers a praiseworthy tool-less micro-adjustment system, but I personally prefer alternate finishing to the full-polish look.

As someone who adores subtle, vintage-inspired details, my only minor gripe is the 41mm complications wear slightly large on my wrist. But if history is any guide, Longines often follows up successful launches with scaled-down proportions.

Once again, Longines has knocked it out of the park. And that isn’t just my take—it’s a sentiment echoed by many casuals who have vocalized their approval to me. At the time of publication, several boutiques around the world have run out of stock for the new Longines Master novelties.

Timely FAQs

What did Longines just launch?

Longines recently launched a comprehensive refresh of its signature Master Collection, backed by a major brand campaign featuring high-profile ambassadors like Henry Cavill, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kate Winslet. The centerpiece of this launch includes an expanded range of time-and-date models spanning four distinct case sizes (30mm, 34mm, 39mm, and 41mm) featuring frosted blue sunburst, white mother-of-pearl, or light blue barleycorn dials with optional diamond indices and steel or steel-and-gold cases. Joining these core offerings are two standout heritage-driven complications: an updated Longines Chrono Moonphase and the collection’s first-ever Monopusher Chrono. Across the board, these novelties highlight signature vintage aesthetic codes such as applied Breguet-style numerals, stepped dials, classic lug geometry, fluted crowns, pulsometer or vintage railroad tracks, and sapphire display backs revealing decorated movements fitted with anti-magnetic silicon balance springs.

What are the features of the Longines Chrono Moonphase?

The newly updated Longines Chrono Moonphase acts as a feature-packed triple calendar chronograph that traces its stylistic heritage back to 1911 pocket watches displayed at the Longines Museum in Saint-Imier. It is presented in a balanced 41mm stainless steel case measuring 13.8mm thick with a 48.6mm lug-to-lug distance, offering a comfortable middle ground compared to previous 40mm and 42mm variations. The piece is powered by the automatic caliber L687.5 movement, which delivers a 66-hour power reserve, anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, and decorated components like a blued column wheel, Côtes de Genève, and perlage visible through the rear glass. Retailing at US$4,250, this model combines complex multi-calendar functionality with a romantic moonphase complication on a classic barleycorn-patterned dial, available on either a fine-adjusting steel bracelet or an alligator leather strap.

What are the features of the Longines Monopusher Chrono?

Serving as the collection’s highlight, the Longines Monopusher Chrono is the first single-pusher chronograph in the history of the Master Collection, honoring the manufacture’s pioneering 1911 wrist chronographs worn by early 20th-century aviators and explorers. The watch operates via a manual-winding caliber L799.5 movement—making it the only hand-wound debutant in the new lineup—which provides a 68-hour power reserve and features a blued column wheel and silicon balance spring. It is housed in a 41mm steel case measuring 12.6mm thick and 48.6mm lug-to-lug, paired exclusively with an alligator leather strap equipped with a fine-adjusting clasp at a price point of US$3,900. Available in either a frosted blue barleycorn dial with rhodium-plated accents or a silver opaline dial with 5N red gold details, the watch features snailed bicompax subdials to contrast its textured center motif alongside a vintage pulsometer outer scale.

Andre Frois

Asia Editor · Haute Time

Andre Frois, previously the Editor-in-Chief of Revolution Asia, brings a wealth of experience to Haute Time. A Singaporean of Portuguese-Chinese descent, Frois has been creating compelling watch content since 2010 for prestigious publications such as Tatler, World of Watches, and The Peak. Renowned for his ability to distill the technical, historical, and financial aspects of watches into accessible narratives, he has also made a mark with investigative stories for VICE and the South China Morning Post. A graduate of NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering, Frois furthered his expertise with a specialist diploma in Sport Science.