Longines has brought the Legend Diver back to one of its most convincing forms with the new Legend Diver 59, a 42mm no-date model that reconnects the modern line with the proportions and clean dial layout that made the watch an enthusiast favourite.
The 42mm case gets a sharper modern execution
The stainless steel case measures 42mm wide, 12.85mm thick and 50.1mm from lug to lug, giving it the broad wrist presence associated with the 1959 ref. 7042 while using contemporary construction rather than a true EPSA compressor system.
The twin screw-down crowns remain central to the design, with the upper crown controlling the internal bidirectional diving bezel and the lower crown handling winding and time-setting, while a domed box sapphire crystal and angled screw-down caseback complete the vintage-minded silhouette.
A grained black dial replaces gloss with purpose
The Legend Diver 59 moves away from the reflective lacquered look seen on some earlier 42mm models and adopts a lightly grained black dial with Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, elongated markers and a clear peripheral minutes track.
The no-date layout is the key decision here, restoring the symmetry collectors often wanted from the larger Legend Diver, while sandblasted hands and numerals with light old radium Super-LumiNova keep the period character without compromising legibility.
A chronometer movement and proper dive credentials
Inside is the automatic Longines calibre L888.6, a COSC-certified chronometer movement with a 72-hour power reserve, 25,200 vibrations per hour frequency and a silicon balance spring for improved resistance to magnetism.
The watch is rated to 300 metres and certified to ISO 6425 dive-watch standards, with Longines testing beyond the stated pressure rating, and it comes on a stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet with micro-adjustment plus an additional black rubber strap.
Price and place in the collection
The Longines Legend Diver 59 is part of the permanent collection and is available now at EUR 4,000 or CHF 3,400, positioning it as a strong choice for buyers who wanted the cleaner 39mm execution but still prefer the stance and history of the 42mm case.
