Longines caliber L888.3 » WatchBase (2024)

FAQs

Is L888 a good movement? ›

The Longines movement in your watch is based on an ETA 2892 caliber, and ETA calibers have what is considered an excellent accuracy, rated at +/- 20sec/day or so, but often come in at less variation. so your watch is extremely accurate for a mechanical watch. No you can't return it or have it readjusted under warranty.

The Longines caliber L888 is 3-hand automatic watch movement based on the ETA caliber A31. L11. It is a Swiss made with 21 jewels, produced by ETA (Swatch Group).

The automatic calibre L888. 6 comes with a bigger power reserve of 72 hours instead of the previous 60 hours that the L888. 5 in the 42mm time-and-date Legend Diver had. It runs at a rate of 25,200 vibrations/hour and is a COSC-certified chronometer.

techincally the movement is in-house because it is made by the parent company. Longines has been using eta movements for 40+ years and even the L888 is the name they used back when.

Both movements are based on the ETA A31. L11, with the main difference between the two being that the L888. 4 is a Certified Chronometer (COSC) with a silicon balance spring).

Longines, while often considered a mid-range luxury brand, offers a level of craftsmanship that rivals that of its more expensive counterparts.

Are Longines watches good? Yes, they manufacture high-quality Swiss-made mechanical watches and quartz watches. They are one of the more popular watchmakers out there yet they are affordably priced compared to many other brands.

While the precision of a mechanical movement varies depending on the wearer's habits, the majority of Longines watches have a precision of between -5 and +8 seconds per day, which is more than enough for the demands of everyday life!

A genuine Longines watch will be engraved with the watch brand name, the name of the country the watch was manufactured in and special trademark patterns for the watch brand. An authentic Longines watch case is fine and exquisite with a high finish and consistent assembly.

Which Longines collection is COSC certified? ›

Certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), pieces in the Longines Record collection feature a single crystal silicon balance spring, ensuring accurate and reliable timekeeping.

It's a brand that's been around since 1832, longer than both Omega and Rolex, establishing many of the modern principles for in-house manufacture and even responsible for making the first ever chronograph movement for a wristwatch.

These Longines watches use cost-effective battery-powered quartz movements unlike Rolex which has no Quartz watches. The more expensive Longines watches use mechanical calibers. You should, however, compare apples with apples. Rolex doesn't make quartz watches, period.

First up, Longines and its exclusive ETA movements

What's interesting is that when Longines was integrated into SMH (the predecessor of Swatch Group) back in 1983, the brand stopped its movement production. That makes sense with movement-manufacturing powerhouse ETA being also part of the group.

Longines is the first watch brand that ever had an official logo as a registered trademark and by 1867 they became more industrialized and started mass-producing watches in their first factory.

For example, if you need a watch that is accurate and reliable, then a quartz watch movement is the best option. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more sophisticated watch, then a mechanical or automatic watch movement might be a better choice.

Mechanical Movement

Mechanical movements are often chosen over quartz movements for luxury watches due to their high level of quality and craftsmanship. Skillfully created by expert watchmakers, these movements contain an intricate series of tiny components working together to power the timepiece.

It's a matter of personal preference, but that being said, you won't be disappointed with an ETA movement - they're exceptionally well made. They come in four differing grades, with the expected price differences to match. Chronometer grade meets the COSC specifications. This is the top tier grade of movement.