The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph: A Horological Purist's Watch For Under $3000
Want a column-wheel chronograph for under $3000? Sure you do, and that's exactly what we've got for you today. A column-wheel chronograph is a type of chronograph movement that is particuarly lauded by industry folk. All the high-end chronos you see are column-wheel jobs, including those $70,000 Pateks and Vacherons using the Lemania base, the F. Piguets inside the Royal Oaks and Overseas, and of course those Zenith El Primeros.
One unifying trait of the column-wheel chronograph, besides generally preferred by collectors, is that they are rather expensive. But, this special Longines column-wheel chronograph, the watch given to the winner of the Kentucky derby and also now available to you fine folk, isn't all that expensive.
In fact, this classically designed chronograph, available in both white and black dials and sized at a perfect 39mm retails for under $3000 in steel. The caliber inside this new Longines we developed in-house with the help of ETA, and the result is quite handsome (check out that bright blue column wheel in pic below). It features 27 jewels and is 7.9mm thick.
The new Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph is definitely targeted at the purists, with a traditional case design, dial configuration, movement, and even price. The watch is a winner, for sure.
These column-wheel chronos should hit stores later this year. The retail price for the steel case with white dial will be $2950, steel case with black dial $2750, and rose gold with white dial $8200.
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2011/5/31/ ... rists.html