subject: Longines Watches- Its All In The Hand [print this page] The advent of robotics has played a major role in driving down the cost of watches today.Machines can produce much quicker without compromising quality and accuracy as micro-mechanical parts become commercially available. The accuracy of the movements of each timepiece would have fetched thousands of dollars say a couple of decades ago, but now you can buy one for under $500 and you would still have a fine watch on your wrist. But pioneers in watch making like Longines watches, for instance, are still producing watches according to the vision conceptualized 180 years ago.
Is hand finish means more accuracy?
No. technology has supplanted old techniques again without sacrificing quality. But remember that technology is just a tool that can be harnessed to create a beautiful piece of art in the hands of a craftsman. Now, assembly line workers using computers and robotics with pre-determined specifications can still do the job and maybe even produce faster but a true watchmaker knows when to retain traditional methods and blend them with modern techniques.
For example, Longines watches under the Conquest line utilises cabochon crown and bezel, these are ceramic materials that are combined with steel to create a durable watch that is also quite light at the same time, which is perfect for sports activities.
Beauty in the eye of beholder, or a watch collector
Only a true lover of watches will appreciate the care that goes into each luxury watch. For example, the Hublot watches are pretty expensive, particularly the Big Bang Chrono automatic which can fetch upwards of $40,000 because it is adorned with an 18 carat rose gold with original diamond bezel. The watch is handcrafted and so the company only rolls out several units each year. The watch is known for being modern and trendy while also featuring the old-school tradition of watchmaking. Granted its not for everybody but if you have the money Hublot watches should be top of your list. You might not know anything about watches but those who do will certainly appreciate what are sporting on your wrist.
Movements define the watch
Some brands manufacture their own movements while some sourced them out to specialists and then modifying them to suit ones requirements. The newer Longines watches are using quadruple retrograde movement which is a modification of the movement developed for it by ETA in 2007. To simplify, the more complicated the mechanical movement is, the more expensive the watch is going to be.
