Longines is quite the decorated war hero. After releasing several brigades of military watches that date back over a century, the Swiss marque's appetite for nostalgia has grown in recent years. And now, it's conscripted a standout from the interwar period for a brand new limited edition: the Longines Heritage Military 1938.

After gathering dust and honour as part of the Longines Historical Collection, the new release is limited to just 1,938 pieces worldwide – a nod to the year of its inception – and is powered by a true-to-the-era hand-wound movement.

Longines heritage
Longines

The outside matches the innards, too. It's sizeable at 43mm, but the case is almost a direct lift of the original: understated, classic, clean. A lot like the style of the 1930s in general, then. But in a bid to improve things (the Swiss don't like to settle), the Heritage Military 1938 boasts baton-style hands and Arabic numerals, which have been treated to a lick of Super-Luminova paint for added legibility. Then there's the interchangeable straps. One tool included with the piece allows for a switch-up between a patinated charcoal leather option, and a cognac-coloured NATO alternative. So in less than a minute, your work watch transforms into your weekend watch.

With prestige costing a premium in Le Locle and beyond, you'd expect to pay a high price for a Longines limited edition. Not so. At £2,020, the Military Heritage 1938 is an affordable way into haute horlogerie, and the safest way to get your hands on a medal of honour this Christmas.

Available to request online, at Longines.co.uk.

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