WATCH & JEWELRY /
WATCH NEWS
June 29, 2026
Longines Revives Its "Legendary" Dive Watch
LONGINES | Longines Legend Diver 59
Longines has unveiled the new "Longines Legend Diver 59." This model is a faithful, complete revival of the dive watch that debuted in 1959, recreated down to the finest details.
Text by Kosaku Waseda
The "Inner Rotating Bezel" Changed Watchmaking History
Longines has a long history with water-resistant watches. The company began producing its first waterproof watches in the 1910s and introduced its first chronograph with a waterproof pusher in 1937. In the 1940s, in collaboration with the British Sub-Aqua Club, they designed the first dive watch for British Navy divers.
In the 1950s, diving began to gain popularity among the general public, and Longines quickly responded. In 1958, they released the "Nautilus Skin Diver" with a 12-atmosphere water-resistant case, and the following year, 1959, they developed the model that would become the prototype for the "Legend Diver."
What made this model particularly innovative was its adoption of an "inner rotating bezel," where the bezel was housed within the crystal. While Longines had invented the mechanism itself in 1936, it was the 1959 model that saw its full implementation. This structure, which protected against external shocks and accidental operation, would later be emulated by many watch brands. It was a truly "legendary" achievement in watchmaking history.
The revived "Longines Legend Diver 59" features a 42mm stainless steel case that replicates the original proportions. The inner rotating bezel is also noteworthy; the bezel, marked with 60-minute graduations and a luminous triangle, is housed within the case and operated by a screw-down crown at the 2 o'clock position, a mechanism faithfully reproduced.
The dial is a black grained finish, accented with white indices, raised Arabic numerals, and satin-finished arrow hands. All hands and indices are coated with "Light Old Radium" Super-LumiNova® for legibility underwater.
The tip of the seconds hand is also luminescent, allowing for immediate confirmation of the watch's normal operation in low light. The domed sapphire crystal has anti-reflective coating on both sides, protecting the vintage-inspired dial.
The bracelet is a stainless steel Milanese mesh. It is equipped with an adjustable double safety folding clasp. A black rubber strap in the Tropics style is also included, allowing for interchangeable wear depending on the occasion.
With a water resistance of 30 bar, it ensures reliable performance as a dive watch. The movement is Longines' proprietary Caliber L888.6, featuring a silicon balance spring and advanced antimagnetic components. It achieves antimagnetic resistance far exceeding ISO 764 standards and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
Furthermore, the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification was obtained not just for the movement alone, but for the fully assembled watch, guaranteeing high-precision operation under all conditions.
There is a reason for its revival. In recent years, many maisons have been delving into their archives to release heritage models. However, in the case of the "Longines Legend Diver 59," it goes beyond mere nostalgia. It represents the revival of the 1959 model, which introduced the inner rotating bezel – an invention that influenced countless subsequent dive watches. This timepiece carries a story worthy of its place in watchmaking history.
Longines Legend Diver 59
Case size | Diameter 42mm, Thickness 12.85mm
Case material | Stainless steel
Bezel | Inner bidirectional rotating diving bezel
Dial | Black grained finish
Crystal | Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating (box)
Hands | Sandblasted rhodium-plated; coated with Light Old Radium Super-LumiNova®
Caliber | Automatic mechanical movement, Longines Exclusive Caliber L888.6
Power reserve | Approx. 72 hours
Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds
Water resistance | 30 bar water resistance, tested under +25% overpressure (ISO 6425 standard)
Bracelet/Strap | Stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet: push-piece opening system, with micro-adjustment, equipped with a double safety folding clasp; Black rubber strap: with stainless steel diver's pin buckle
Inquiries
Frequently Asked Questions About Longines Watches
Q. What is the history of the Longines brand?
Longines traces its origins back to 1832 when Auguste Agassiz established a trading post in Switzerland. In 1867, his nephew Ernest Francillon built a watch factory in the Jura Valley in Saint-Imier, naming the brand after the location, "Longines." From its inception, the company was known for its high precision and quality, receiving numerous awards at world expositions. Around 1900, it was favored by adventurers undertaking expeditions in harsh environments, such as Arctic exploration. In 1927, pilot watches produced based on Charles Lindbergh's designs for his non-stop transatlantic flight became immensely popular, further solidifying its reputation.
Q. What is the background behind the "Longines Legend Diver 59" model?
This model is a complete revival, faithfully recreating the dive watch that debuted in 1959 down to the finest details. What made the original 1959 model particularly innovative was its adoption of an "inner rotating bezel," where the bezel was housed within the case. This mechanism, which Longines had perfected in 1956, offered a practical structure that protected against external shocks and accidental operation, a design that would later be emulated by many watch brands. This work, considered "legendary" in watchmaking history, has been perfectly reproduced with modern technology in this timepiece.
Q. What are the features of the movement used in this model?
It is equipped with Longines' exclusive Caliber L888.6. This movement features a silicon balance spring and advanced antimagnetic components, achieving antimagnetic resistance far exceeding ISO 764 standards and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Notably, the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification was obtained for the fully assembled watch, not just the movement alone, guaranteeing high-precision operation under all conditions.