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Longines have set their eyes back on one of their emblematic collections, refreshing the Master line from top to bottom.

If you wanted to summarise Longines in two words, you’d likely arrive at “consistent” and “heritage”. For just two words, it’s an apt description; Longines has long been known for consistently producing heritage-inspired timepieces.

While some of its more recent models have shaken up that norm, namely the modernised Conquest and HydroConquest collections, Longines still provides plenty of old-school designs with a new-school flair. Exemplary of this is the Master Collection, which debuted in 2005.

Since then, it has become one of the brand’s cornerstones, preserving watchmaking traditions with modern sensibilities and an accessible price point. For its 21st year in the catalogue, Longines has opted to completely revamp the standard line from the ground up. Available in a myriad of sizes, designs, and strap options, the new Master Collection has officially been unleashed on the watch world.

Elegant Excellence

In a vein similar to its massive Conquest release, the 2026 Longines Master Collection debuts with 20 new references across four sizes, appealing to both genders. The smaller sizes, geared more towards women, measure 30mm and 34mm in case diameter, with thicknesses of 9.1mm and 9.3mm respectively.

On the other hand, the men’s sizes come in at 39mm and 41mm, with thicknesses of 9.05mm and 9.5mm. It’s impressive that Longines has managed to preserve the elegant case profile across all four sizes, with no watch exceeding 9.5mm in thickness. It underscores the elegant nature of the Master line, making them highly wearable dress pieces.

Across the four sizes, strap options vary between dressier alligator leather straps and more robust metal bracelets. For the latter, they’ve been extensively refined, featuring shorter links that allow for greater articulation and comfort around the wrist.

Furthermore, all straps and bracelets are outfitted with micro-adjustability, dramatically improving the wearing experience and positioning the new Master line as a capable daily wearer. I wouldn’t take it everywhere, though, as the dressy nature of the watch means it’s only water resistant to 30 metres. If that bums you out, don’t worry – that’s what the Conquest is for!

Masterminded

The key feature of the Longines Master Collection has always been that astounding barleycorn (or grain d’orge) guilloché dial. A motif that has followed the Master line since its inception, it returns on several pieces across the range. Four dials in the smaller sizes are instead offered in white mother-of-pearl, accompanied by 11 diamond indices totalling approximately 0.047ct, underscoring the feminine elegance of these pieces.

Much of the dial layout will be familiar to fans of the Master line. As mentioned, the barleycorn dial returns, as do the leaf-shaped hands. Perhaps the biggest change is the use of applied Arabic numerals in place of the original printed ones.

Joining the applied Roman numeral editions of the Master Collection, the Breguet-style numerals add even more dimensionality and light play to the dial. While the smaller sizes receive silver barleycorn dials with blue Arabic numerals, the 39mm and 41mm models increase the variety with two references featuring blue barleycorn dials paired with steel numerals and hands instead.

I understand that this has been a whole block of text, but there’s still more; so if you’ve read this far, good for you! I don’t have any photos at the moment, but two additional models also exist. Longines has fitted them with applied Eastern Arabic numerals, along with a date window rendered in Eastern Arabic script. It’s such a ridiculously rare addition in the watch industry, and is one that I highly advise you seek out for yourself.

What’s Your ETA?

Each version of the 2026 Longines Master Collection comes with a transparent caseback, but the movements are largely consistent across the board. The only exception is the 30mm size, which uses the Calibre L592.5, beating at 4Hz (28,800VpH) – relatively uncommon for modern Longines watches – while offering a 45-hour power reserve. The other three sizes utilise the more familiar L888.5, which possesses that unusual beat rate of 3.5Hz (25,200VpH) alongside a 72-hour power reserve.

All watches come equipped with a simple date complication, which is more than enough for an elegant watch like the Master. While most of us are familiar with the Cal. L888.5, a modified ETA 2892-A2, I was intrigued by the 30mm’s Cal. L592.5. Digging a little deeper, I discovered it was Longines’ take on another ETA movement: the Cal. 2681.

That tracks, considering ETA’s place within the Swatch Group. Still, I can’t help but wonder what Longines has done to increase the power reserve from the original’s 38 hours to 45, all without changing the beat rate. A question for another time, perhaps.

Initial Thoughts

The Longines Master has long been one of my favourites in the catalogue, but my younger mind typically gravitates towards more ambitious, avant-garde aesthetics. Though I knew I wanted a dressy, elegant watch further down the line, I struggled with the somewhat antiquated look of previous Master references. With this new release, my interest has been renewed. Longines has taken the classical lines of the Master and refined them even further for modern appeal.

I have to say, despite not having imagery of it just yet, that Eastern Arabic numeral duo sounds absolutely magical. Of the models shown here, though, I lean towards the 39mm silver-dial variant on the steel bracelet.

It’s got all the trimmings of what I loved about the older references, but dramatically improved in a way that should appeal to today’s discerning consumer. Much-needed and more than welcome, the 2026 Longines Master Collection takes the traditions of watchmaking and gives them a breath of fresh air at a price point where enthusiasts of all levels can soon enjoy them.

References & Specifications

Australian Retail Price: TBC

Australian Retail Price: TBC

Australian Retail Price: TBC

Australian Retail Price: TBC

Availability (All): Available now, at Longines boutiques, authorised retailers, or online at Longines.com