BACK TO THE FUTURE
Mission accomplished for the latest to date in the Heritage collection which groups together reissues of iconic pieces taken from the Saint-Imier brand’s archives as success is on the agenda!
Silver Arrow is the description the press gave to racing cars, mainly Mercedes ones, from the 1930s and frequently used around 1955. But Silver Arrow is also the name which Longines gifted to one of its watches, also born in the middle of the 20th century, after holding an in-house naming contest. This piece, created in 1956, features a caseback decorated with a supersonic jet, a nod to the industry which was in full flight back then. 65 years on, the Saint-Imier brand reconnects with its ever-so rich past to reissue a model from its Heritage collection which embraces iconic pieces exclusively, taken from its archives.
The Heritage Silver Arrow 2021 version showcases a 38.5 mm-diameter polished steel case, waterproof to depths of 30 meters. Like its elder sibling from the 50s, it’s equipped with a solid caseback set off with six rectangular grooves and, above all, adorned with an engraved supersonic jet taking off from the Earth, heading for the stars. This metallic case hosts the L888.5 caliber, a selfwinding movement equipped with a silicon balance-spring, beating at 25,200 vibrations an hour and delivering a power reserve of three days.
This motor breathes life into the hours, minutes and seconds ticked over on the silvered dial by two centrally-positioned silvered Lancine-shaped hands enhanced with a dash of beige Super-LumiNova® and into a direct-drive. The geometrical indexes on the cardinal points are fluted, the others pleated, and everything is encircled by a discreet minute tracker interspersed by luminous barrettes.
This new Longines is worn on a chocolate leather strap clasped by a steel pin buckle.
Price: 1,900 CHF www.longines.ch
By Sharmila Bertin