The Bucherer Blue watches are unique in that they are one of the only collections of watches that span multiple brands and themes. Rather than being tied to a specific watch company, these special edition timepieces are linked to a retailer: Bucherer. Bucherer uses blue as its primary colour, which extends from its retail properties to some of the watches inside them. The next in the series of ‘Bucherer Blue’ editions comes from Longines in the form of its Master Collection Chronograph.
The Master Collection Chronograph serves as Longines’ entry into the smart/casual chronograph trend which grips the watch scene right now. The bicompax layout of the unique blue dial means that this watch can only time events that are up to 30 minutes long as the subdial at 3 O’clock is reserved for the running seconds. You’ll also find a date window at 6 O’clock which has cut the ‘6’ numeral in half. I don’t mind this, I think it’s a nice touch as most brands would remove the number altogether, but I can see why some might find it a little unusual or even frustrating.
Inside the watch beats an automatic ETA based movement which in this instance has been dubbed the L651 calibre by Longines. It sports a respectable 42-hour power reserve with a 4Hz beat rate and 37 jewels. You also get an open caseback allowing you to view the movement as it ticks away. To celebrate the tie in with Bucherer, the crystal of the caseback has the Bucherer logo printed on it, and the rotor has ‘One of 500’ inscribed upon its edge. These movement specifications might not sound particularly enthralling, 4Hz and barely two days of reserve are currently the industry standard, but consider this is a well-made watch with an undeniably sexy dial and polished case that costs €2510 which includes taxes?
That’s suddenly not a bad deal, while Longines may not command the same respect as it did in the 20th century there’s still appeal to the brand. The 40mm steel case is water resistant to 30m, which, given that this is a chronograph means that it shouldn’t be submerged in water. You wouldn’t want to ruin one of the 500 of these ever to exist.
