News: Longines Railroad
If there’s one thing you want from a railway service, it’s punctuality—and for that, you’re going to need reliable timekeeping. Back in the early part of the 20th century, Longines became part of the history of the railroad when its timepieces were adopted by railway employees across the globe, all the way from the USA to Romania.
The new Longines Railroad—part of the brand’s Heritage collection—is modelled on a vintage piece that was worn by railwaymen during the 1960s. These original watches were designated as ’railroad grade’, and had to fulfil certain measures of quality and precision. The dial was marked with the number 280 above 6 o’clock, in acknowledgement of the superb in-house calibre 280 that powered the watch. The Railroad, instead, bears the number 888—this time in reference to the new automatic calibre L888.2—and offers a handy power reserve of 64 hours.
The highly-legible, domed dial tells the time in 24-hours, and the caseback features an engraving inspired by designs found on the pocket watches that were created for railway companies in the 1920s. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 40mm, and comes on a brown or black alligator leather strap.
With an understated and sophisticated aesthetic, the Railroad is a fitting homage to the original and to the heyday of the railways.
