I don’t want to offend any Longines owners and/or fans on this sub, but this happens to me with (almost) all their releases/watches. I see a new watch on their IG, watch videos from a few reviewers, and get all hyped. Then I go to my local AD and see the models in person and they just look… Clunky, Dull? I don’t know how to describe it.

My wife wholeheartedly agrees with me, I hyped her up about the Zulu Time GMT in 39mm with a green dial to the point where she told me to go buy it. So we went to see them, wallet ready and her first words where “these are it??”. The details of the Spirit Zulu Time GMT stand out so well in photos and videos, and in person it just seems dull.

And this doesn’t happen for all brands, for example I think Grand Seikos look waaaaay better in person than in photos, the complete opposite case. Or Rolexes, APs, Langes, and even Tags in my opinion look just as good in person than in photos.

The only Longines watch I’ve actually liked in person is the Bronce Legend Diver. But other than that they all look… different. I don’t want to say “cheap”, but kind of(?).

Complete turn off from pictures and reviews to actually holding the watch in my hands.

Am I alone in this?

  • RockerblockerBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I don’t think they look good online either. If they were $300 I’d be excited about them but there are far more interesting watches for the same price

  • JuniorTapoutBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Actually this common across many brands, especially that offer sunburst dials… Just depends on the photography. That’s regardless of type of dial actually. Photography/ colour grading of their images.

    There’s a whole video dedicated to Omega Aqua Terras on YouTube by WatchAdvisor who goes over this exact issue when showcasing colours of watches.

    Not to say that there may be genuine cases of these discrepancies from what we’re shown and then what we get.

  • 4CornerzBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    i understand this, but it only seems to be the case when watches are super hyped up. I got the zulu time before it reached peak hype and think its easily one of the most beautiful watches for the price. Not if it would have had the same wow factor if i’d gotten it later on. I have an smp300 white dial and it’s a great watch. But it doesn’t look as good as reddit and youtube would make me believe. it’s eye catching for sure, but i honestly think the zulu time is a prettier watch (reinforced by the amount of compliments my zulu time got, whereas my smp300 has never gotten one).

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    It could also be the setting you viewed them in. I know when I look at omegas from the super nice displays in the boutique, the luxurious vibe and lighting makes me more attracted to the watch. When I view longines often in the middle of a Macy’s or something, it might feel underwhelming just because the environment isnt premium itself

  • gdankoBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I don’t think that’s the case.

  • markievegetaBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’ve owned 3 Longines pieces. For the price, I find them amazing value. Especially if you go for second hand.

    They cut costs on finishing of the cases in particular. But they make up for it with movements and solid bracelets. Their dails are generally pretty plain.

    At their price point I think they are a stand out. Hard to beat some of their pieces. The conquest range is a great Gada watch, their vintage diver is very nice on the wrist, I love their avigation big eye pilot and their Zulu range gives great GMT specs for the price.

    Their only problem is they try too hard to hit everyone’s expectations, why their spirit range is a bit so so and their hydro conquest is missing something.

    Open one of them up, you’ll be surprised how upscale the movements look.