The story · Since 2005
The story of the Longines Master Collection
Longines built the Master Collection in 2005 as a summary of its own past, borrowing the Arabic numerals of the 1928 Weems watch. By 2019 its president Walter von Kanel said the line made up 33 percent of his business, and in 2026 Longines redesigned it from case to clasp.
- 2005 A mechanical line from day one Longines presented the Master Collection at the 2005 fairs, including a steel chronograph with triple calendar and moon phase on the self-winding L678 calibre.
- 2005 to 2017 Many sizes, many complications Over the next decade the line added chronographs, world time, power reserve, moon phase and retrograde functions.
- 2018 to 2019 Annual calendar, then moon phase At Baselworld 2018 Longines added its first annual calendar, the L897 in a 40 mm case, priced from 1,940 euros.
- 2022 to 2023 Engraved numerals for 190 years For the brand's 190th anniversary in 2022 Longines gave the 40 mm Master a textured dial with Breguet numerals engraved into it, in an unlimited steel version and two gold editions of 190 pieces each.
- 2026 A complete redesign In June 2026 Longines launched redesigned three-hand models in 30, 34, 39 and 41 mm, with concave bezels, no dial flange and bracelets with shorter links.
33 percent
share of Longines business from the Master Collection, per CEO Walter von Känel in 2019
Worn by
Read the full storyHide the story
Chapters
- 2005
A mechanical line from day one
Longines presented the Master Collection at the 2005 fairs, including a steel chronograph with triple calendar and moon phase on the self-winding L678 calibre. Its US manager called it the brand's most focused introduction of automatics ever. The dial numerals were drawn from the Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch of 1928.
- 2005 to 2017
Many sizes, many complications
Over the next decade the line added chronographs, world time, power reserve, moon phase and retrograde functions. By 2016 it was offered in 38.5, 40, 41, 42 and 44 mm, and in 2019 the CEO Walter von Känel counted two ladies' sizes and five men's sizes.
- 2018 to 2019
Annual calendar, then moon phase
At Baselworld 2018 Longines added its first annual calendar, the L897 in a 40 mm case, priced from 1,940 euros. In 2019 came a time-only moon phase with pointer date on the new L899, in 40 and 42 mm.
- 2022 to 2023
Engraved numerals for 190 years
For the brand's 190th anniversary in 2022 Longines gave the 40 mm Master a textured dial with Breguet numerals engraved into it, in an unlimited steel version and two gold editions of 190 pieces each. SJX noted the numerals are laser engraved, deeper than usual laser engraving on dials.
- 2026
A complete redesign
In June 2026 Longines launched redesigned three-hand models in 30, 34, 39 and 41 mm, with concave bezels, no dial flange and bracelets with shorter links. In August it added a 41 mm Chrono Moonphase on the column-wheel L687.5 and the line's first monopusher chronograph, the hand-wound L799.5.
Worn by
Longines ambassador since 2025. He told Who What Wear his favourite Longines was his own rose gold Master Collection GMT, and he wore the Chrono Monopusher at the September 2026 New York launch of the redesigned line.
Longines Ambassador of Elegance, photographed wearing the Master Annual Calendar in its launch year.
Moments
2026. September 2026, New York Fashion Week: Longines launched the new Master Collection in a Tribeca loft with a panel featuring Henry Cavill, moderated by Esquire's Madison Vain.
2018. Baselworld 2018: the Master Annual Calendar set a new entry price for the complication, from 1,940 euros, Longines' first annual calendar.
Generations and strap changes
- 2026Ref. L2.960 Chrono Monopusher
The first monopusher in the Master Collection: start, stop and reset on a single pusher in the crown, a pulsometer scale and the hand-wound column-wheel L799.5 with 68 hours. Case 41 mm, 12.60 mm thick, 48.60 mm lug to lug.
21 mm between the lugs; anthracite or brown alligator with a triple-folding clasp and micro-adjustment.
- 2026Ref. L2.962 Chrono Moonphase
The calendar chronograph returns in a 41 mm, 13.80 mm case with the self-winding column-wheel L687.5 (66 hours), nine applied blue numerals and a new barleycorn silver dial.
21 mm between the lugs; steel bracelet or blue alligator, both on a triple-folding clasp with micro-adjustment.
- 2026Three-hand 30, 34, 39 and 41 mm
The redesigned three-hand models: L2.449 (30 mm, L592.5), L2.450 (34 mm, L888.5), L2.949 (39 mm) and L2.950 (41 mm), both on the L888.5 with 72 hours.
Lug widths by size per Longines: 15 mm (30 mm), 18 mm (34 mm), 20 mm (39 mm), 21 mm (41 mm).
- 2022Ref. L2.793.4.73.2 190th Anniversary
A 40 mm, 9.35 mm thick fully polished case on the L888.5 with 72 hours, with engraved Breguet numerals on a no-date dial. The steel model is regular production; the yellow and rose gold versions are limited to 190 pieces each.
Time and Tide gives a 21 mm lug width; supplied on anthracite alligator with a triple-folding push-button clasp.
- 2019Ref. L2.909 and L2.919 Moonphase
A time-only moon phase with a pointer date around it at 6 o'clock, on the L899 (ETA A31.L91), 64 hours. L2.909 is the 40 mm case and L2.919 the 42 mm.
Fratello gives a 21 mm lug width and notes a strap can be added later to a bracelet version.
- 2018Ref. L2.910 Annual Calendar
A 40 mm polished steel case with month and date in a split window at 3 o'clock, driven by the L897 (ETA A31.L81) at 25,200 vph with 64 hours of reserve.
Sold on black, brown or blue alligator with a folding clasp, or on a steel bracelet.
- 2005Ref. L2.673.4 Chrono Moonphase
Ref. L2.673.4 Chrono Moonphase: a 40 mm steel chronograph with day, month, pointer date, 24-hour hand and moon phase on the L678, based on the Valjoux 7751. Christie's catalogued an example as circa 2005.
WatchBase lists 21 mm between the lugs for L2.673.4.78.3; delivered on alligator with a Longines double deployant clasp.