December 12, 2017

For 185 years, Longines has pushed the frontiers of discovery, creating timepieces to help humankind conquer the ends of the earth: at sea, on land, and in the skies. From timing devices created for the US navy, to watches designed for railroad conductors and famous aviators, navigation and adventure have always been a part of Longines’ DNA.

Style-Alert-Longines-Avigation-Bigeye-Watch-Channels-the-Golden-Age-of-Aviation-Art

Each year, Longines revisits the past and reissues favourite watches from its collections at the brand’s museum at Saint Imier, Switzerland. This year, Longines took design cues from a recently acquired 1930s era pilot watch to reissue a new model for its Heritage Collection: the Avigation BigEye.

The Avigation BigEye has already received international acclaim, winning the “Revival” prize at the Grand Prix de Horlogerie this year. This annual awards event held in Geneva could easily be likened to the Academy Awards in horological circles, recognizing the very best new watches from around the world each year. Global in appeal, daring in design, and backed with a fascinating history, the Avigation BigEye appeals to travellers, vintage style enthusiasts, and history buffs alike.

The Avigation BigEye’s subtle allusions to the golden age of aviation reveal themselves in its oversized pushers and crown, which allowed pilots to manipulate more easily while wearing bulky gloves in-flight. The rugged brown leather strap of the Avigation BigEye also calls to mind the supple leather of a classic bomber jacket. On its highly legible 41mm black dial, an outsized 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock give a clue to the watch’s “BigEye” moniker, which is flanked by a small second hand at 9 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. Further legibility comes into play on the Avigation BigEye’s glossy black dial, where its Arabic numerals are coated with SuperLuminova©. The stainless-steel case also houses a hearty L688 column wheel chronograph movement, produced exclusively for Longines.

For intrepid travellers seeking to inject a sense of adventure into their journeys—or simply daringly designed gear for everyday—the Longines Avigation BigEye watch fits the bill.