Digging right in with the vital statistics: The Longines Saint-Imier Chronograph measures in at 41mm, and features a typical pusher layout at 2 and 4, crown at 3, and micro pusher at 10 (for date adjustment). The case features curved lugs with a relatively sharp bottom edge. The dial is silver with applied polished steel markers and luminescent plots, and an Arabic numeral 12 in the appropriate location. Triple subsidiary dials have grooved concentric texturing, adding nice detail to the dial. Subsidiary seconds register is at 9, with the 30 minute and 12 hour counters at 3 and 6, respectively. The hands are silver polished and feature Super-Luminova. The date function sits between 4 and 5, and is easily read with a white colored date wheel.
Protecting the dial is a sapphire glass crystal with anti-reflective coating. Around back, a transparent case back (also sapphire crystal) highlights the internals of the timepiece. Powering the chronograph is the Calibre L688 Self-Winding Column Wheel movement, developed exclusively for Longines by ETA, their partner in the Swatch Group. The movement runs at 28,800bph and has a power reserve of roughly 54 hours. Much can be said about this impressive movement, from its architecture to its price point – we’ll just say that it is a welcome addition to the world of column wheel movements, and that we dig it. Hence the holding of all vitriol pertaining to the overuse of transparent case backs from this author.
We also dig the combination of modern size (41mm is spot on for this piece) and a traditional looking dial. Lots of brands are aiming for that perfect mix of modern and vintage styling, but few pull it off this well. The placement of the subsidiary dials, the shape and size of the hands and markers, down to the font of the chapter ring are all spot-on. I would take this a step further and say that Longines’ entire line of Saint-Imier & Master Collection timepieces have some of the cleanest and most attractive dial layouts in the industry – certainly in their price bracket.
Complementing the classically good looks of the case and dial is a brown gator strap with a signed deployment buckle. The strap itself is stunning, sized smartly at 20mm and features contrast stitching. The buckle is a little on the weak side, and when latched there is a fair amount of motion and a little noise when wearing it. Hopefully this just comes from a little abuse at the hands of watch journos and numerous public presentations. Frankly, a standard buckle would have been right at home on the Saint-Imier, and if I picked one up for my collection I would seriously consider swapping one in.
Ultimately, the Longines Saint-Imier Chronograph has clean, classic looks, coupled with a modern presentation and impressively designed internals. It is a very comfortable piece to wear, dresses up or down well, and received plenty of compliments in the time I had it. At this price point, you’d be hard pressed to find a better package for a versatile chronograph, so in my opinion it is money well spent. Unless, of course, you happen to be a winning jockey – in which case you’ll get yours for free. Otherwise the price is $3,225. longines.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Longines
>Model: Saint-Imier Chronograph (L2.752.4.72.0)
>Price: $3,225
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: A fan of classic wristwatch design and modern mechanicals, desiring a man-sized chronograph for regular daily wear.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Deployment buckle is flimsy.
>Best characteristic of watch: Excellent dial layout and decoration.
