Longines and Movado are two of the most recognizable Swiss watch brands, known for their elegant designs and reliable timekeeping. But how do these watchmakers compare?
Here is an in-depth look at Longines and Movado, including their histories, reputations, movements, and key models.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Longines | Movado |
| History | Founded in 1832 in Switzerland; known for sports timing and aviation heritage | Founded in 1881 in Switzerland; pioneered ultra-thin watch designs |
| Style | Understated elegance, traditional design | Contemporary minimalism, bold high-fashion |
| Reputation | Reliable quality, good value | Stylish status symbol, designer appeal |
| Movements | ETA base movements, some exclusives | ETA and Ronda movements, more quartz |
| Price range | $1,000 to $10,000 | $500 to $5,000+ |
| Key models | Legend Diver, Master Collection, Avigation, Heritage models | Museum Watch, Bold, 1881, Heritage models |
| Who it’s for | Watch enthusiasts seeking heritage and craftsmanship | Fashion-forward shoppers wanting stand-out style |
| Pros | Rich history, aviation ties, subtle elegance, accessible luxury pricing | Iconic design, brand prestige, innovative models, fashionable appeal |
| Cons | Less bold styling, pricier models are still affordable | Prestige comes at higher prices, quartz movements in lower end |
Brand Histories
Longines and Movado both have long, rich histories in horology.
Longines was founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The brand is named after its founder, Auguste Agassiz, whose farm was located on “Les Longines” (long meadows). Longines specialized in making chronographs and stopwatches early on, supplying timing instruments to sports federations.
The winged hourglass logo dates back to 1889. Longines has a strong heritage with aviation, being worn by pioneers like Amelia Earhart.
Movado was founded in 1881 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Achille Ditesheim. The name “Movado” comes from the Esperanto word meaning “always in motion.”
Movado introduced one of the first wristwatches for men in the late 1800s and their Polyplan watch in 1947, renowned for its ultra-flat, minimalist design.
The iconic Museum Watch with a solitary dot at 12 o’clock was designed in 1947 by Nathan George Horwitt and remains Movado’s signature aesthetic.
Both brands have rich histories of innovation and elegant design spanning over a century. Longines carries strong aviation and sporting ties, while Movado is known for their minimalism.
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Detail Comparison Of Longines And Movado
Reputations
Longines has built up a reputation over nearly two centuries as a maker of refined Swiss timepieces known for their value, reliability, and heritage. Their watches often feature subtle branding, clean dials, and restrained elegance.
Longines is the official timekeeper for numerous sports including equestrian, gymnastics, and archery.
They are also the official partner of the French Open Tennis Championships. The winged hourglass is globally recognized as a symbol of Swiss tradition and expertise.
Movado is known for its sleek, modernist aesthetic embodied by the Museum Watch. Their ultra-simplified watches place an emphasis on minimalist styling over complications. The solitary dot, which they refer to as the “Sunray” dot, is their signature and has become synonymous with Movado. They are one of the higher-end brands owned by the Swatch Group. Movado watches carry designer cachet with their branding, often worn as fashion accessories.
Longines has built up timekeeping credentials over the years, while Movado emphasizes aesthetic minimalism and style in their watches.
Watch Movements
The movement, or caliber, is the internal mechanism that powers and regulates a mechanical watch. Longines and Movado rely on movements from Swatch Group, but they differ slightly in which ones they use.
Longines watches mainly contain ETA movements. ETA is owned by Swatch Group and supplies movements to many Swiss watch brands. Some of their notable ETA movements include the workhorse ETA 2824 found in many three-hand models and the ETA 2892 in their automatic watches.
Longines has also started utilizing “exclusive” movements modified from ETA calibers with added features and decorations.
Movado uses ETA and Ronda movements, another Swatch subsidiary. Movado’s Museum Watch contains the single-hand Ronda 1069 quartz movement. Higher-end Movado watches may contain more sophisticated automatic ETA movements like the 2892 or Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement.
Movado also offers quartz models at lower price points.
Both brands rely on accurate, mass-produced movements from Swatch Group subsidiaries but Longines includes more exclusivity and modifications in recent years.
Popular Models
Longines and Movado’s most iconic and noteworthy models demonstrate their different design languages.
Longines Key Models
- Longines Legend Diver – A 1960s-inspired dive watch with a black rotating bezel, textured dial, and elegant winged hourglass logo. It contains an ETA 2824 movement.
- Longines Master Collection – Their flagship model housing exclusive in-house calibers with complications including moonphase and annual calendar models. Subtly styled with applied Roman numerals and sapphire crystals.
- Longines Avigation BigEye – A pilot’s watch inspired by vintage aviation with an oversized minute hand, large crown, and second time zone display. It has an ETA 2893-2 movement.
- Longines Heritage Classics – Vintage re-issues of early Longines models including minimalist sector dials, Art Deco numerals, and barrel shaped cases true to their roots.
Movado Key Models
- Museum Watch – The renowned minimalist watch with a solitary dot at 12 and flat black dial. Available in a huge range of styles from gold cases to leather straps to diamond studded.
- Movado Bold – A sports-oriented model with a steel case, bracelet, chronograph, and angled lugs. Often has a dual-tone gold bezel matched to the dial dot.
- Movado Heritage Series – Draws design inspiration from vintage mid-century Movado watches including thin cases and mesh bracelets paired with modern size and materials.
- Movado 1881 – Reserved dress watches with ultra-thin cases, sleek Roman numerals, and a small dot at 12 o’clock. Minimalist and elegant.
Longines embodies more traditional watchmaking with diving and aviation heritage, while Movado watches are designer statements punctuated by their iconic dot.
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Comparing Prices
Longines and Movado watches occupy similar price segments, ranging from affordable luxury to entry luxury timepieces. However, Longines generally has a lower starting price.
Most regular Longines models are priced between $1,000-3,000 USD at retail. Their basic three-hand watches start around $1,000. Higher-end complications and limited editions can reach up to $10,000.
Regular Movado watches start around $500 for quartz models but most are priced between $2,500-3,500 USD. Gold cases or diamond accents add a premium. Movado’s high-end complicated timepieces can cost over $5,000.
Longines represents an affordable entry point into Swiss luxury watches, while Movado leans towards being more of an aspirational status accessory. But both offer quality Swiss watchmaking and movements at accessible prices.
Also watch this video about Longines!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Movado is widely considered an accessible luxury or aspirational watch brand. They command premium pricing starting around $1000 and going over $5000 for their high-end Swiss automatic models. Their designer styling and brand image allow Movado to offer a luxury product and experience.
Longines is categorized as an entry-level luxury watch brand. Longines has the pedigree and quality watchmaking of a true luxury brand, but prices below $5000 keep it affordable for regular consumers. The Longines name carries prestige and heritage even at lower price points.
Some watch brands comparable to Movado in terms of minimalist styling and brand image include Frederique Constant, Baume et Mercier, and Raymond Weil. These brands have an elegant, fashion-oriented sensibility with some high-end complications.
Longines competes with watchmakers like Oris, TAG Heuer, and Rado at its price point. These brands offer heritage, technology, and a degree of prestige without reaching extreme luxury pricing. They represent quality Swiss watchmaking at an obtainable level.
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Conclusion
When choosing between Longines and Movado, the decision comes down to this:
For those wanting to prioritize heritage, craftsmanship, and value, Longines is hard to beat. Their aviation ties, technical innovations, and subtle styling appeal to discerning watch collectors.
For those wanting an eye-catching minimalist accessory with brand prestige, Movado’s sleek Museum Watch and bold fashion-driven designs fit the bill.
Ultimately both Longines and Movado make fine Swiss timepieces but cater to slightly different aesthetics and consumers. The heritage winged hourglass competes well with the modernist Sunray dot.
