The Longines Column Wheel Chronograph
Since its launch in 2009, Longines’ Calibre L688.2 has become the engine for The Longines Column Wheel Chronograph collection. Â Longines, who invented the column wheel (1878) as well as the flyback function (1936), knows a thing or two about chronographs. Â The Calibre 13.33Z (1913), the famous Calibre 13ZN (1946) and the Calibre 30CH (1947) have all employed a column wheel. Â The L688.2 automatic chronograph movement features a blued steel column wheel, 27 jewels, and accentuating decoration.
ETA specifically created this new and exclusive movement for Longines  to incorporate the column wheel, which is considered superior for a chronograph’s operation. This movement is used in the Heritage 1973, while a variation on the L688, namely caliber L788 with a mono-pusher, was used in the Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph 180th Anniversary, which we reviewed for you here. The various watch models in this collection represent a modern development of Lognines’ historical innovation.Â