Longines replica watches is a brand that has a soft spot for retro styles. On the one hand, it comes from the brand’s long history of watchmaking, and many excellent works in history have provided favorable conditions for the launch of replica watches. On the other hand, thanks to the elegant appearance of the antique watch, its style fits the positioning of today’s brand very well. For this reason, Longines has created a series called ‘Classic Re-engraving’ to reproduce these works with modern craftsmanship. The brand’s first new year’s work in 2023 is a replica of the classic flight watch – Czech Air Force 1935.
During the two world wars, many well-known watch companies participated in undertaking orders from the military, including Longines. In 1935, Longines provided the Czechoslovak Air Force with a military flight watch model Ref. 3582, and registered a patent with the International Intellectual Property Organization in Bern, Switzerland in April of the same year. Longines uses a pillow-shaped case for the watch, equipped with a manual winding movement. It features triangular indicator marks on the dial that can be set countdown with the rotation of the bezel. At 41mm in diameter, this unique watch was huge for its time.
In fact, not only Longines, Lemania and Eterna have launched similar watches for the Czech Air Force. The watch also has the alias of “Majetek”.
Time came to the 21st century. Under the influence of the retro trend, Longines launched the Czech Air Force 1935 replica watch (model: L2.794.4.53.2). This work was unveiled in 2014, and the diameter has been fine-tuned to 42mm. The details of the pillow-shaped case, the ring gear and the surface of the dial have been well restored. As a modern watch, the movement is upgraded to a self-winding movement based on ETA 2895, and a date display window is added at 6 o’clock, and the watch mirror is also upgraded to sapphire. However, it is a pity that the 2014 model has not been fully restored at the functional level. The countdown arrow design is canceled, and the grooved bezel is fixed and cannot be rotated. In addition, limited by the diameter and structure of the movement, the small seconds disc moves upwards.
The 2023 Longines Czech Air Force 1935 replica watch (model L2.838.4.53.9) unveiled this time makes up for the shortcomings in function. The rotatable bezel and indicator arrows are close to the original, realizing the same function as the historical model. Compared with the 2014 model, the diameter of the new product has been slightly expanded to 43 mm, which meets the aesthetic needs of today’s pilot Swiss Fake Watches. In terms of performance, the waterproof level of the new work has jumped from 30 meters to 100 meters, and the power reserve of the movement has also increased from 42 hours to 72 hours.
Under the action of silicon balance spring and non-magnetic material parts, the anti-magnetic force has been improved.
The grooved bezel is one of the design elements often used in replica watches cheap. Its original purpose is to increase friction and make it easier to hold and rotate. Since its development, its decorative attributes have been greater than its functional attributes, adding to the beauty of details. As mentioned above, the essence of this new re-engraved product is to restore the time indicator. Rotating the bezel can set a certain countdown, which truly returns to the practical value of the groove pattern.
The small seconds dial of the 2023 model is consistent with the historical original, but Longines has corrected the “upward shift” problem of the 2014 model. The hands and Arabic numerals covered with SUPER-LUMINOVA luminous material are slightly yellowed, creating a strong sense of retro. It’s just that the brand logo “Longines” on the dial has been changed from a flower to a print, which is different from the historical original.
Another difference lies in the pointer style: the 2014 reprint uses the “snake-eye needle”, while the new product chooses the pencil needle. In fact, there are many versions of the Czech Air Force 1935 watch in history, not only authorized to produce by Longines, but also Lemania and Eterna have also undertaken orders from the military. Among these models, only Longines has the ‘serpentine needle’ and ‘pencil needle’ versions, and the new product refers to another prototype watch.
Although there are many manufacturers, there are subtle differences in different versions.
However, the military requires these products to use a pillow-shaped case uniformly, and the words “MAJETEK VOJENSKE SPRAVY” are engraved on the bottom cover. Therefore, the Longines Czech Air Force 1935 watch also has the alias of “Majetek”, and this detail is also presented in the replica watch.
The original case does not have a crown bridge, and the addition of this design in the new product can effectively protect the crown from external impact. “1935” on the nameplate on the other side of the case enhances the historical heritage of the piece.
In the past, Longines replica watches pursued a highly restored appearance,
and the performance of the movement was not its selling point. However, the situation has changed in recent years. The movements of the two replica watches released in 2022,
the “High Frequency Precision Observatory” and the “Founder Replica Chronograph”, both have something to point out. The L893.6 movement carried by this new product is no exception.
A brief summary can be summarized as three major features: long-term dynamic storage, anti-magnetic, and observatory certification.
Long-term dynamic storage is a common development trend of the movement in recent years. From consumer-friendly watch brands to high-end luxury brands,
they have replaced new movements with a dynamic storage of more than 70 hours, and Longines is no exception. The vibration frequency of the L893.6 movement is 25200vph,
and the small second hand structure at 6 o’clock on the dial does not have a calendar function. As the latest model of the same model, the dynamic storage is slightly increased compared with the 64 hours of the L893.5
movement, reaching 72 hours, and the theoretical full string state can run continuously for three days.
The anti-magnetic ability of the movement is due to the silicon hairspring and two new parts made of non-magnetic materials,
which can resist the magnetic force of 600 Gauss, which is in accordance with the ISO764 standard. The highlight of the new L893.6 movement is that it has passed the COSC Observatory certification,
which is another replica of the brand that has passed this certification.
