![Longines Master Collection GMT](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XFf9MgmesTsojUxCwR5Qjc-415-80.jpg)
Longines has kicked off 2024 with a pair of new GMT watches sporting gold cases and a chunky price tag. Called the Longines Master Collection GMT, the watch is available with a case made from yellow or rose gold, with each variant limited to 500 pieces worldwide.
This timepiece unusually blends the GMT and dress watch genres into one, mixing the functionality of a second hour hand (to keep track of another time zone) and the refined smartness of a gold dress watch. It also mixes Roman and Arabic numerals, with the former used to tell the time of the wearer’s time zone, and the latter used to read a second time zone on a 24-hour scale.
As with all such watches, the second hour hand is intended to stay on GMT. However, it's often more convenient to set this to your home time zone, then adjust only the primary hour hand to your local time zone when travelling. Such a watch can also be used to keep track of colleagues or family in a different time zone to your own.
The 40mm, 18K gold case features an exhibition case back for viewing the automatic Longines calibre L844.5 movement, made by ETA and with a power reserve of 72 hours. An unguarded, screw down crown sits at the six o’clock position while the frosted silver dial is protected by a sapphire crystal. Water resistance is a fairly modest 30 metres, but this clearly isn't intended as a sport watch.
A date window is found at the six o’clock position and both versions of the watch are supplied with an anthracite-grey alligator leather strap with soft-touch finish and a buckle made from the same gold as the case.
At £14,200 this is considerably more expensive than other contemporary Longines watches. It is also somewhat pricey for a GMT, but I like how Longines is experimenting by bringing a GMT function to a gold dress watch. I’m also curious to see if this is a sign of Longines heading up-market, and I’m keen to see what else the brand has in store for 2024.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Alistair is a freelance automotive and technology journalist. He has bylines on esteemed sites such as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, and of best of all, T3, where he covers topics ranging from classic cars and men's lifestyle, to smart home technology, phones, electric cars, autonomy, Swiss watches, and much more besides. He is an experienced journalist, writing news, features, interviews and product reviews. If that didn't make him busy enough, he is also the co-host of the AutoChat podcast.
-
Omega’s latest Paris 2024 watch takes Olympic gold, silver and bronze
Official Olympic timekeeper Omega has announced another Paris 2024 special, called the Bronze Gold Edition
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
OMEGA X Swatch celebrates this year’s supermoon with limited edition MoonSwatch
The MoonSwatch is back – and it’s Super Blue!
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Omega debuts two Olympic-themed watches that look like gold medals
Omega is announced as Official Timekeeper for the Olympics and celebrates with two new watches
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Feel old yet? SpongeBob SquarePants celebrates 25 years with Spinnaker watches
Spinnaker x SpongeBob SquarePants is the watch collaboration you didn’t see coming
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Montblanc’s new Bohème watch is a watercolour-inspired masterpiece
Montblanc adds to its Bohème collection with three new watches
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Ulysse Nardin’s new dive watch is a gemstone lovers’ dream
Ulysse Nardin updates its dive watch collection with limited edition chrysocolla gemstone dial
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Casio celebrates 50 years of watchmaking with new Casiotron
Casio marks half-century with revived Casiotron
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Dior gives its Chiffre Rouge watch a stunning rainbow upgrade
The Dior Chiffre Rouge Rainbow is an colourful, asymmetrical masterpiece… but it’ll cost you
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published