74 Longines Extraordinary and Very Rare Legend Diver’s Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 7594–2, Sweep Center Seconds, Inner Rotating Bezel and Exceptional Tropical Brown Dial
Estimate: €10,000 – 20,000
Model: Legend Diver
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 2043200
Year: 1966
Case N°: 13
Caliber: 290
Movement type: Automatic
Movement N°: 12366234
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 41 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: Certificate
Literature: A similar watch is published in the LONGINES LEGENDARY WATCHES book on pages 542–543
With the Longines Extract from the Archives confirming case, movement, production and subsequent sale on 24 June 1966 to the company Binda, which was at that time the Longines agent for Italy.
Going to analyze the Longines production archives, it is possible to realize how certainly the creation of chronographs has been the most important and the highest from a numerical point of view, but in the same way we realize that even the sea and diving they have been used as a starting point for the creation of some absolutely fascinating watches. This is the case of the present reference 7594-2 Legend Diver. Despite having, probably, lived an adventurous life, the state of conservation of the stainless steel case is absolutely remarkable. Competitor of the Omega Seamaster 300 and the Rolex Submariner 5513 in the past years, the Longines Legend Diver has a special water proof case, so-called “super compressor”, patented by Ervin Piquerez. Another big innovation if compared to the other two “kings” of vintage diver models is the total absence of an external rotating bezel to time dives in favor of an inner black lacquered bezel rotatable thanks to the crown at 2 o’clock while the other one at 4 o’clock is used to adjust the time. Initially, the black of the bezel was retaken in the inner part of the dial, but with the passage of time it has assumed a fascinating patina, transforming the starting color into a beautiful tropical chocolate brown leaving only a glimpse, in the upper part, of the initial black color. This honest wristwatch from the heyday of the age of exploration is a special opportunity to purchase a classic Longines dive watch with an exotic dial.