This year, Longines is extending its Flagship Heritage line with three new versions in Havana beige, anthracite and green, all equipped with a moonphases complication.
A striking tribute to the line’s historic Flagship model launched in the 1950s, the new Flagship Heritage models combine technical expertise with timeless elegance. The collection’s signature, an 18-carat gold medallion decorated in hand-painted enamel, is featured on the case back.
An emblematic line for the brand since the late 1950s, Flagship was one of Longines’ very first collections. The flagship of a fleet, when it is at sea, flies the flag of the fleet’s commanding officer.
In 2024, the brand is extending its Flagship Heritage collection, equipped since 2023 with a moonphases complication, with three new versions sporting sunray dials in Havana beige, anthracite and green. These watches combine technical mastery and aesthetic appeal in a tribute to the collection’s historic models.
The genuine signature of the Flagship collection since its launch in 1957, an 18-carat gold medallion embossed on the watch’s case back, depicts a caravel in full sail on a vivid blue sea, hand-painted in enamel.
The stainless-steel case with a screwdown case back has an understated and timeless design and a diameter of 38.5 mm. It has a satin-brushed finish, with shortened and chamfered lugs that are suited to every wrist.
These new timepieces are powered by the exclusive Longines L899.5 calibre, equipped with a silicon balance-spring and innovative components, providing a magnetic resistance ten times greater than the ISO 764 reference standard. This self-winding mechanical movement is combined with a moonphases complication and a power-reserve of up to 72-hours.
The new Flagship Heritage watches also feature distinctive domed dials inspired by the original 1957 model. These sunray dials, in Havana beige, anthracite and green, are enhanced by eleven applied hour markers, plated in rhodium or rose gold and elongated at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock. Coated with Super-LumiNova® to ensure optimal legibility, the hour and minute hands are plated in rhodium or rose gold. Their colour matches the moon and stars on the moonphase indicator.
These elegant timepieces come with straps in brown, anthracite or black leather, fitted with a Heritage tongue buckle in stainless steel. They provide impressive hold and comfort, and their colours harmonise perfectly with the dials.
Since the launch of the Flagship collection in 1957, each model has sported an 18-carat gold medallion on its case back depicting a caravel – the line’s emblem – heading full sail across a vivid blue enamel sea.
The meticulous and painstaking process of creating this medallion is a testament to ancestral artisanal knowhow. It all begins with preparation of the enamel, pre-coloured blocks of which are reduced to powder using an agate pestle. The enamel is then mixed with water and, using a very fine paintbrush, delicately applied by hand to the previously struck gold base. This step is followed by several kiln firings at 800°C, enabling the enamel to vitrify and ensuring its perfect adherence to the precious metal. Once cooled, the piece undergoes a precise stoning process using a diamond file. The medallion is then polished to obtain a gleaming finish, and set securely into the case back.
All these steps give the medallion depth of colour, brilliance and exceptional durability, making each Flagship Heritage watch a unique and precious piece.
Discover more exciting creations from Longines at our boutiques, or online.
