In the ever-ticking world of horology, few brands have earned the tag of the finest luxury watchmakers of all time. TAG Heuer and Longines are, without a speck of doubt, members of this elite club. Both brands are revered by luxury watch aficionados and command a sizeable customer base. Naturally, the TAG Heuer vs Longines debate is a long-standing one.
In 1860, Edouard Heuer founded a watch company named Uhrenmanufaktur Heuer AG (which in English translates to Heuer Watchmaking Inc.) in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. Within a few years, the watchmaker gained popularity for its impeccable craftsmanship and accuracy. Heuer patented his first chronograph in 1882, and in 1887 he patented an ‘oscillating pinion‘. Even today, the latter is used by major watchmakers of mechanical chronographs.
In the world of sports, the brand gained significant recognition for the durability of its timepieces and was preferred by several athletes. The watchmaker also made a name for itself in the automobile and aviation industries. It was in 1985 that the TAG Group purchased a majority stake in the company, and thereby the brand came to be known as TAG Heuer. The TAG Heuer Carrera collection is one of the most renowned lineups of watches in the world.
One of the oldest watchmakers in history, Longines was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz. Like TAG Heuer, this watch brand is also based out of Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company’s logo, which features a winged hourglass, was registered in 1889 and is the oldest unchanged active trademark registered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
While it produced a host of timepieces, Longines had its first break in 1878 when it started producing in-house movements. The crown-wound mechanism of the 20H, in which all three chronograph functions were controlled by the crown, was the first of its kind. It was the 20H that enabled Longines to craft stopwatches suitable for precise timekeeping in professional events. With this innovation, the watchmaker began building its reputation in equestrian sports like horse racing and long jumping. Since 1983, the company has been a subsidiary of the Swatch Group.
With legacies of over 150 years, both watchmakers have rightfully earned their credibility of being masters of the trade. In this article, we delve deep into the TAG Heuer vs Longines battle by taking a close look at their design, material, performance and price.
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TAG Heuer vs Longines: A comparison of the two horological juggernauts
Design
Let us kickstart the TAG Heuer vs Longines match with their design. Yes, independent watchmakers have often been found to be creative with the unique design ethos they give their timepieces. However, the trademark visual aesthetics of the watches made by brands like TAG Heuer and Longines greatly contribute to their brand recognition value.
TAG Heuer is a popular name in the world of sports, and as such, it caters to a relatively younger demographic. It is, therefore, only fitting that the models made by this Swiss watchmaker will fashion a sporty look. The inclusion of rubber straps, chronograph functions and bold colours on the dials and the bezels fall perfectly in line with TAG Heuer’s contemporary approach whilst staying true to their signature style.
On the other hand, Longines is known for its timeless designs that exude elegance and sophistication. However, they try to keep their timepieces simple. In most cases, their dress watches come in slim cases and sport Roman numerals on the dial. A leather strap on a Longines watch is a fairly common sight and helps assemble a perfect formal look.
Material
When we assess the durability of a watch, the primary factor we take into account is the material. Both TAG Heuer and Longines have weathered the test of time to claim that their timepieces rank among the most durable in the horology market. And much of its credit goes to the choices of material.
TAG Heuer has often been one of the most innovative among all major luxury watchmakers. Time and again, they have shown an inclination towards utilising titanium, carbon fibre and ceramic to craft their timepieces. The lightweight and hypoallergenic properties of titanium make it a perfect alloy for sports watches, and it is precisely why a lot of TAG Heuer models are built of it. Carbon fibre’s tensile strength and ceramic’s scratch resistance are the reasons for the watchmaker to prefer these materials.
Longines usually opt for tried-and-tested materials like stainless steel to offer a balance between durability and affordability. In its higher-end models, the brand favours making use of gold to add a touch of luxury and elegance. As we previously mentioned, leather straps are somewhat of a brand signature for Longines, and the company is known for making use of a host of leather materials ranging from alligator skin to calfskin to offer durability whilst not compromising on comfort.
Performance
If there is one forte in which both watchmakers take immense pride, it is crafting performance-driven timepieces. Be it in durability or the accuracy of their chronographs, the models of these two brands are almost impossible to rank over the other. Maybe that is the reason why this is going to be the most difficult parameter to talk about in this TAG Heuer vs Longines battle.
Even though a sizeable chunk of its products are not chronometers, TAG Heuer has produced some of the best of those in the world of horology. They have passed rigorous testing and received certification from the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres (COSC). One of TAG Heuer’s best chronometers is the Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillion Chronograph.
That being said, most of TAG Heuer’s watches are powered by quartz movement which runs on battery. To be perfectly honest, the most accurate and precise performances in the watchmaker’s lineup come in its quartz-powered models.
Similarly, most Longines timepieces come with the battery-powered quartz movement under the hood. Yes, they have a few chronometers with the COSC certification, such as the Longines Record series. However, Longines has a very high-precision quartz collection.
Price
And finally, the TAG Heuer vs Longines battle boils down to the amount you need to shell out for these luxury watches. With both the watchmakers being famous for their precision in crafting timepieces, it is a no-brainer that their models come with comparatively expensive price tags than the ones made by the mid-range luxury watchmakers.
To buy a new TAG Heuer watch, you need to spend a minimum of USD 1,000, while the cheapest Longines watch comes at around USD 750. The higher-end TAG Heuer watches come for around USD 26,000, such as the Carrera X Aston Martin. On the other hand, an expensive Longines watch, such as the Longines Prima Luna, is priced at around USD 17,000.
That being said, the resale value of a TAG Heuer timepiece is slightly higher than its Longines counterparts, since a lot of them have limited availability, thereby rising in value over time.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer vs Longines Hydroconquest: Which iconic series takes the cake?
The durability of their watches is a legend in the world of horology, and both TAG Heuer and Longines have dedicated lineups that push the barriers of underwater endurance. Therefore, a comparison between these two brands is incomplete without mentioning the TAG Heuer Aquaracer vs Longines Hydroconquest debate.
TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer series offers one of the best protection in the horology industry below sea level. The watches are water resistant up to 500 metres and are preferred by professional swimmers.
In comparison, the Longines Hydroconquest does fall short, with a water resistance up to 300 metres below the sea level. Regardless, the models in the Hydroconquest lineup are excellent timepieces and can withstand extreme rainfall and even recreational swimming activities to a great extent.
Tag Heuer vs Longines: Our verdict
Now that we have reached the end of this detailed discussion, we are faced with the daunting task of settling the TAG Heuer vs Longines debate by choosing a winner. And the decision for us is fairly simple — we do not have a verdict.
Both watchmakers have some exquisite timepieces, and they check most boxes of a good luxury watch. Therefore, the decision to choose a watch rests entirely on the users’ discretion and their preferences, whether in terms of design aesthetics, performance or price.
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(Main Image Credits: Courtesy TAG Heuer and Longines; Featured Image Credits: Courtesy TAG Heuer)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is the difference between a TAG Heuer Aquaracer and a Longines Hydromaster?
A TAG Heuer Aquaracer has better water resistance (up to 500 metres) than a Longines Hydromaster (up to 300 metres).
– What is the difference between the design of TAG Heuer and Longines?
A TAG Heuer watch has a sporty silhouette, whereas a Longines timepiece has a formal look.
