Despite managing to only find two Instagram posts from Longines around its release in late 2016 and a small handful of online reviews since this time, the vintage appeal of the Longines Heritage Military L28114530 was just too good for me to pass up. To this very day, this watch remains one of my favourite timepieces from the incredibly popular Longines Heritage collection and one of my favourite watches from my personal collection.

The Longines Heritage Military offers an imposing wrist presence and demands immediate attention, with its large 44mm stainless steel case and visually striking retro Arabic numerals. Rotation of the over sized onion crown is butter smooth, and the Longines “flying hourglass” logo stamp on top is a really nice touch.

The rich black dial and lumed cathedral hands are bang on, but not without controversy though. The “issue” that some watch aficionados struggle with is the date window at six o’clock. Not only is it considered by some a departure from the original design this watch pays homage to, the date window partially cuts into the “6” numeral as well as the seconds sub-dial. As shocking as it sounds, I actually quite like this design; visually the vertical pattern stands out on the bottom half of the watch, and rightly or wrongly creates a point of difference.

The “in-house” calibre L615.3 automatic movement in the Longines Heritage Military, based on the ubiquitous ETA 2895/2 movement, has been proven reliable. A combination of the steel case, brushed bezel and black alligator leather strap places the Heritage Military firmly in the dress watch category, although many would struggle (myself included) to fit it under a dress shirt cuff.

Overall, I would say that the Longines Heritage Military L28114530 packs a punch as a vintage rendition with a modern twist.