Measuring in with a case diameter of 43mm and thickness of 14mm, it could solid doubt on the carrying expertise for these with medium to small wrists. Nonetheless, the standard cushion case form comprises some type of magic that permits the piece to put on smaller than you’ll anticipate, conforming to all kinds of wrists. A compact lug-to-lug of 48.6mm is actually to thank, although a big a part of its consolation comes from the form and glorious sailcloth strap. Resting between the 22mm lugs, the tightly woven nylon sailcloth backed with supple leather-based brings extra texture to the design and elevates the feel and appear, even together with blasted titanium {hardware}. Too typically the strap of a watch comes as an afterthought, although I’m pleased to say that right here it isn’t the case. It combines with the case to create a full-fledged bundle prepared for on a regular basis use proper out of the field no matter your every day calls for.
At its middle, a titanium core comprises the motion inside secured by a screw-down crown and caseback serving to to realize 300 meters of water resistance. Regardless of this spectacular feat, this mannequin is devoid of a rotating bezel and as a substitute opts for a hard and fast one. The titanium bezel holding the matte aluminum black bezel insert stays resolute and is a little bit of an odd selection given its sibling mannequin and historical past as a dive watch. It might lead some to categorise this as a sports activities watch fairly than a real diver, although Longines maintains its dive designation. Set simply inside is the domed sapphire crystal with a number of anti-reflective coatings utilized to every facet to assist minimize down on glare, an essential function that we are going to deal with quickly.
In an identical format as earlier than, the Extremely-Chron Carbon makes use of an anthracite pebble textured dial floor to carry contrasting particulars on its floor. On the perimeter, white printed traces in differing weights mark the ⅕ seconds, minutes, and hours which prolong out to encompass the utilized indices. Polished with a central side, the indices every maintain a beneficiant portion of Tremendous-LumiNova, a theme carried over to the baton and sharpened pencil hour and minute palms. At 12, the utilized winged hourglass helps the printed Longines wordmark balanced by an utilized brand nodding to the upper frequency and Extremely-Chron textual content at 6. The polished particulars have a dramatic two-tone visible impact showing a lot darker on one facet than the opposite which might have an effect on legibility in odd lighting circumstances. That can be a byproduct of these particulars not being of a typical silver tone however choosing a gray PVD remedy earlier than being polished. Total, the monochromatic design language feels moody, purposeful, and nicely thought out regardless of its potential shortcomings in fast time recognition.
Powering the Extremely-Chron Carbon is the high-frequency Longines unique automated caliber L836. Designed at the side of Swatch Group motion provider ETA, the caliber options trendy quality-of-life options corresponding to hacking and winding, a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring, and improved anti-magnetism. As the unique Extremely-Chron was the primary dive watch geared up with a high-frequency caliber, it’s nice to see it discover new life in a contemporary sports activities watch. With a refined sweep, the chronometer-certified caliber operates at a frequency of 5 Hz whereas nonetheless reaching an influence reserve of 52 hours. A powerful inclusion of motion expertise from an organization with an expansive historical past of innovation in watchmaking.
The Extremely-Chron is a traditionally essential assortment that deserves to come back again out of the shadows for its time within the solar. Whereas I’m not certain that that is the mannequin that may propel the Extremely-Chron into the widespread market, it’s an attention-grabbing fruits of fabric and motion sciences in a novel bundle. As a giant fan of Longines typically touting their ending and carrying expertise, it ought to come as no shock that I’m glad to see the model push into new classes and experiment like the nice previous days. Although with the attract of latest supplies, the brand new Extremely-Chron does include its quirks and, in fact, a hefty value improve which will depart some ready for the following iteration. Let’s simply hope that it doesn’t take one other 3 years. Longines
