Hi everyone, seems I'm gonna be working from home for a while so I have time in my hands, and I'm doing this personal review. I got this watch pre-owned, just 2 or 3 weeks after it's original owner purchased it. It's like brand new, and well, I don't know why but I guess the original owner couldn't love it as much, so it's a win for me.
After wearing it for around 3 weeks, I have some thoughts that perhaps I'd like to share. I see there is a legend diver thread, but I think the Big Eye doesn't get enough credit around the forums.
I have had Longines in my collection every now and then, but nothing really stayed very long, either I got bored of it, or it got sold to fund other stuffs. So I have to see if this one will last longer than most.
To start things off, I feel this Big Eye Longines is really a bang for your buck. And I have been eyeing for one, but being a cheapskate, I mostly buy my watches preowned.
The packaging box of the Longines Big Eye is exceptional. I think it's the same as the Legend Diver. I don't know if it's real wood, but I think the box is really grand and very very exquisite for it's pricepoint. Compare that to a Rolex box, I find the Rolex boxes looks like a joke. Seriously though, the box is extra large, made with a combination of wood and leather, and it's really nicely made. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the box right now, it's stuffed in my closet and I'm too lazy to take it out. But search around the web, and you can see. It really makes you feel appreciated.
Think about Rolex boxes, or even Seiko Marine Masters, or Tudor boxes, this box from Longines feels like you are buying some expensive piece of watch.
Enough talking about the boxes, lets talk about the watch itself.
Many people value the movement inside the Big Eye being a column wheel chrono ETA instead a more common 7750. While I am happy that it is a better movement, I find that it is unneccessary. Why? I'm not a guy who uses my chronograph all the time, and, I feel if it can be cheaper using a more common 7750, why not? It's caseback is not an exhibition one anyway, so I couldnt see it. It's not something I personally think is a must, good to have, but won't die without it. While the chrono pushers are smoother, they are not as smooth as the Carrera Heuer 01 for example, which is probably one of the nicest chrono pushers I have ever tried.
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I find the design is also very appealing, making me want to have one in the first place. The big eye sub dial is quirky, yet it doesn't feel imbalanced on the dial, and it's a fresh design from more common chronographs layout out there.
The dial is highly legible, thanks to it's clear numerals and choice of colours. And I am so happy despite that it is taking inspiration from a vintage piece, it decided against having a faux patina lume. While it's great, but it's been done to death and I feel that sometimes, I want a somewhat modern watch. I don't want my lume to be yellowy or browny. I love the hands and the colour it chose, simple, practical, and very well executed. I don't feel any of them is too long or too short, or out of place.
What I also noticed was the pushers are beyond the normal size, it sure gives it ease of usage, especially when you are wearing gloves. I don't find it nice, nor ugly, I just find it differnet.
![Image]()
The case itself is not too large, and far from being small. 41mm in diameter, and 48mm from lug to lug, 14mm thickness, it makes the watch wear similiarly to a speedmaster pro.
However, the speedy pro has a tachy bezel on it, making the face of the watch actually a little bit smaller than this one.
I personally find that this watch wears larger than a speedmaster, or for any 41mm watch infact. Due to the lack of tachymetre bezel, and besides the speedmaster is a "fake" 42mm, the added almost 2 meter thickness is due to it's fat crownguards that shapes according to the case. The actual tachymetre circumference is 39.7mm.
Lug to lug however is around the same, probably slightly longer on the Logines, but it's thin and very curved, so giving a less long profile, very similiar to the speedmaster.
![Image]()
The watch itself, due to the movement, is actually quite thick. I would enjoy it better if it was modified a bit and made it manually-wound. Some people may feel aggrevated by it, but I welcome the thinner profile it would bring when they removed the rotor. Shaving off 2mm may sound like nothing, but in practicality, it's quite alot. Oddly though, given its thickness and size, this watch sits very flat on my wrist. I can see no visible overhang, and it doesnt topple anywhere while wearing.
Case is very well made, but I find the case quite soft, I accidentally hit it on something, and wasn't hard at all, but it created a slight ding at 11 oclock. I'm not sure if it was the alloy, but I remembered it clearly I hit it against a glass jar, and was only around 10 to 15cm swing, and it wasn't that hard because I wasn't doing anything rigorous.
I love it's boxed sapphire glass, it gives that vintage feel while providing clarity and not worrying about buffing out the scratches off.
![Image]()
The lug width is 20mm just as I like it, as I have amassed quite a collection of 20mm width strap. I always hate odd measurement lug width, as it's annoying and not many are readily made. Additionally, aftermarket bracelet at 20mm is also easier to find should you choose to pair it with one. And this watch is one hell of a strap monster. You could wear it with canvas, nato, leather, aged leather, croco, and even tropic rubber. The only thing that I MAY find it unappealing, is on a bracelet (like the legend diver style bracelet). But I seen some nice ones on the internet and perhaps may change my mind.
One minor gripe is, the chronograph seconds hand is a tiny bit off, and the previous owner didn't realize it, but I'm ocd so I did. And since it came almost brand new, and almost no sign of usage (I can actually say there is no sign of usage, there is no scratch anywhere at all, and that ding came from me), I don't suspect it fell anywhere. So QC wise, it's not as tight as I would have hoped for. Sure it comes with a 2 years warranty, so I can straighten it anytime I want, but it's a bother that we paid some odd over $2k and needing it back to service right away.
Is there anything I would want to change? Yeah, the size of the watch would probably be better at 40mm, or 39mm. I for one have quite small hands, while I'm still able to pull off a 43mm Heuer 01 skeleton, I find that watch to be sporty enough to be big, while the Big Eye, is classic enough to be smaller. Other than that? Make it manually wound to enable the watch to be thinner.
People may compare this watch, to several classics already going around. One of them the classic speedmaster. I find the speedies are awesome watches, rich history, and any WIS is bound to have one in their collection. But I also find the speedmaster to be a bit "generic" and commands a higher price on the secondary market - almost double in fact. So if you have the cash and want an instantly recognizable watch, sure, go for it. Second watch would be a re-issue Breitling, the ones with the hour markers on it's bezel. That's a great watch, but for over 6k, I'd go for this Longines or Speedy. Third watch would be the Autavia re-issue with Heuer 02 calibre. It's undoubtedly a great watch, I owned one for a while, but I couldn't get used to it's 21mm lug width. It is also thick and somehow it looks very round and top heavy. It also commands an almost double the price.
On the similiar price range, for chronographs, you probably have the reduced speedmaster, or automatic speedmasters in comparison. I find them nice, but not as appealing. You also have some of the Tag Heuers aquaracers, but I find them also not as appealing. Bell and Ross makes several reissues in the same price range as well, but I find the Bell & Ross brand is less of a "heritage" watch compared to Longines.
If I were to not buy it, what would I buy instead? No idea, for a chronograph, at this price range, kinda hard to find an ideal one.
Overall, I find this Big Eye to be a really really value for your money watch even if you buy it brand new, even moreso if you buy it preowned. While it's history is close to none and obscure, I don't really care about it. I find it to be a classic modern watch and it doesn't burn a hole in your wallet.
If anyone of you is thinking of getting one, it's a no brainer.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
After wearing it for around 3 weeks, I have some thoughts that perhaps I'd like to share. I see there is a legend diver thread, but I think the Big Eye doesn't get enough credit around the forums.
I have had Longines in my collection every now and then, but nothing really stayed very long, either I got bored of it, or it got sold to fund other stuffs. So I have to see if this one will last longer than most.
To start things off, I feel this Big Eye Longines is really a bang for your buck. And I have been eyeing for one, but being a cheapskate, I mostly buy my watches preowned.
The packaging box of the Longines Big Eye is exceptional. I think it's the same as the Legend Diver. I don't know if it's real wood, but I think the box is really grand and very very exquisite for it's pricepoint. Compare that to a Rolex box, I find the Rolex boxes looks like a joke. Seriously though, the box is extra large, made with a combination of wood and leather, and it's really nicely made. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of the box right now, it's stuffed in my closet and I'm too lazy to take it out. But search around the web, and you can see. It really makes you feel appreciated.
Think about Rolex boxes, or even Seiko Marine Masters, or Tudor boxes, this box from Longines feels like you are buying some expensive piece of watch.
Enough talking about the boxes, lets talk about the watch itself.
Many people value the movement inside the Big Eye being a column wheel chrono ETA instead a more common 7750. While I am happy that it is a better movement, I find that it is unneccessary. Why? I'm not a guy who uses my chronograph all the time, and, I feel if it can be cheaper using a more common 7750, why not? It's caseback is not an exhibition one anyway, so I couldnt see it. It's not something I personally think is a must, good to have, but won't die without it. While the chrono pushers are smoother, they are not as smooth as the Carrera Heuer 01 for example, which is probably one of the nicest chrono pushers I have ever tried.
I find the design is also very appealing, making me want to have one in the first place. The big eye sub dial is quirky, yet it doesn't feel imbalanced on the dial, and it's a fresh design from more common chronographs layout out there.
The dial is highly legible, thanks to it's clear numerals and choice of colours. And I am so happy despite that it is taking inspiration from a vintage piece, it decided against having a faux patina lume. While it's great, but it's been done to death and I feel that sometimes, I want a somewhat modern watch. I don't want my lume to be yellowy or browny. I love the hands and the colour it chose, simple, practical, and very well executed. I don't feel any of them is too long or too short, or out of place.
What I also noticed was the pushers are beyond the normal size, it sure gives it ease of usage, especially when you are wearing gloves. I don't find it nice, nor ugly, I just find it differnet.
The case itself is not too large, and far from being small. 41mm in diameter, and 48mm from lug to lug, 14mm thickness, it makes the watch wear similiarly to a speedmaster pro.
However, the speedy pro has a tachy bezel on it, making the face of the watch actually a little bit smaller than this one.
I personally find that this watch wears larger than a speedmaster, or for any 41mm watch infact. Due to the lack of tachymetre bezel, and besides the speedmaster is a "fake" 42mm, the added almost 2 meter thickness is due to it's fat crownguards that shapes according to the case. The actual tachymetre circumference is 39.7mm.
Lug to lug however is around the same, probably slightly longer on the Logines, but it's thin and very curved, so giving a less long profile, very similiar to the speedmaster.
The watch itself, due to the movement, is actually quite thick. I would enjoy it better if it was modified a bit and made it manually-wound. Some people may feel aggrevated by it, but I welcome the thinner profile it would bring when they removed the rotor. Shaving off 2mm may sound like nothing, but in practicality, it's quite alot. Oddly though, given its thickness and size, this watch sits very flat on my wrist. I can see no visible overhang, and it doesnt topple anywhere while wearing.
Case is very well made, but I find the case quite soft, I accidentally hit it on something, and wasn't hard at all, but it created a slight ding at 11 oclock. I'm not sure if it was the alloy, but I remembered it clearly I hit it against a glass jar, and was only around 10 to 15cm swing, and it wasn't that hard because I wasn't doing anything rigorous.
I love it's boxed sapphire glass, it gives that vintage feel while providing clarity and not worrying about buffing out the scratches off.
The lug width is 20mm just as I like it, as I have amassed quite a collection of 20mm width strap. I always hate odd measurement lug width, as it's annoying and not many are readily made. Additionally, aftermarket bracelet at 20mm is also easier to find should you choose to pair it with one. And this watch is one hell of a strap monster. You could wear it with canvas, nato, leather, aged leather, croco, and even tropic rubber. The only thing that I MAY find it unappealing, is on a bracelet (like the legend diver style bracelet). But I seen some nice ones on the internet and perhaps may change my mind.
One minor gripe is, the chronograph seconds hand is a tiny bit off, and the previous owner didn't realize it, but I'm ocd so I did. And since it came almost brand new, and almost no sign of usage (I can actually say there is no sign of usage, there is no scratch anywhere at all, and that ding came from me), I don't suspect it fell anywhere. So QC wise, it's not as tight as I would have hoped for. Sure it comes with a 2 years warranty, so I can straighten it anytime I want, but it's a bother that we paid some odd over $2k and needing it back to service right away.
Is there anything I would want to change? Yeah, the size of the watch would probably be better at 40mm, or 39mm. I for one have quite small hands, while I'm still able to pull off a 43mm Heuer 01 skeleton, I find that watch to be sporty enough to be big, while the Big Eye, is classic enough to be smaller. Other than that? Make it manually wound to enable the watch to be thinner.
People may compare this watch, to several classics already going around. One of them the classic speedmaster. I find the speedies are awesome watches, rich history, and any WIS is bound to have one in their collection. But I also find the speedmaster to be a bit "generic" and commands a higher price on the secondary market - almost double in fact. So if you have the cash and want an instantly recognizable watch, sure, go for it. Second watch would be a re-issue Breitling, the ones with the hour markers on it's bezel. That's a great watch, but for over 6k, I'd go for this Longines or Speedy. Third watch would be the Autavia re-issue with Heuer 02 calibre. It's undoubtedly a great watch, I owned one for a while, but I couldn't get used to it's 21mm lug width. It is also thick and somehow it looks very round and top heavy. It also commands an almost double the price.
On the similiar price range, for chronographs, you probably have the reduced speedmaster, or automatic speedmasters in comparison. I find them nice, but not as appealing. You also have some of the Tag Heuers aquaracers, but I find them also not as appealing. Bell and Ross makes several reissues in the same price range as well, but I find the Bell & Ross brand is less of a "heritage" watch compared to Longines.
If I were to not buy it, what would I buy instead? No idea, for a chronograph, at this price range, kinda hard to find an ideal one.
Overall, I find this Big Eye to be a really really value for your money watch even if you buy it brand new, even moreso if you buy it preowned. While it's history is close to none and obscure, I don't really care about it. I find it to be a classic modern watch and it doesn't burn a hole in your wallet.
If anyone of you is thinking of getting one, it's a no brainer.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
