The Longines Heritage Military COSD – History and Performance brought together in a military watch

The famous Swiss watchmaking company Longines reissues a model inspired by military requirements. For the Longines Heritage Military COSD, the brand has adopted the sober and characteristic design of a watch created for British paratroopers in the 1940s. The NATO strap and the distinctive broad arrow on the dial – used at the time for all military equipment – bestow its particular style to this model. 

Longines has once again looked to its rich history to expand the military wing of its Heritage collection. The Longines Heritage Military COSD is based on a piece of equipment used by the British Special Forces during the 1940s. Each item of this equipment was marked with the initials COSD and intended for the sole use of the Combined Operations Command created by the British War Office during the Second World War. These timepieces were much appreciated by the paratroopers.

The 40 mm steel case of the Longines Heritage Military COSD houses an L619.2 self-winding calibre. Maintaining its military look, it is mounted on a khaki NATO strap. Also created for the British army, these light-weight but robust straps were designed to meet the rigorous requirements of military equipment. The Longines Heritage Military COSD also exists in a version mounted on a black leather strap.

The opaline dial boasts a chapter-ring comprising large black Arabic numerals as well as a red 24-hour scale enhanced with blued hands. A railway-track minute ring serves to further emphasize the military style of the watch. A version with a matt black dial and rhodium-plated hands is also available. The upper part of the dial bears a broad arrow, a symbol used in Britain at the time to indicate government property. It was thus to be found on various pieces of military equipment including the watches used by the British forces. The numerals and the hands are coated with Super-LumiNova® to help the user read the time under all conditions.