1832
Founding of Longines in Saint-Imier (Switzerland)
Auguste Agassiz founds the brand. Today one of the oldest in continuous production. Historically famous for navigation and aviation chronometers (Lindbergh, Earhart).
1975
Eterna releases the calibre 1466
Automatic movement of 25.6 mm, 3.6 mm height, 28,800 vph, 42 h reserve. Rotor on Eterna-Matic 5-ball bearing. Intended for dress watches.
1980
ETA absorbs Eterna's movement division
The 1466 is rebranded ETA 2892. Same movement, now with Swatch Group industrial backing. The era of its mass distribution begins.
1983
ETA 2892-A2 · refinement
Finishing, stability and QC improvements. Becomes the standard of the premium ETA segment. 30 years of continuous production to today.
1985–2000
Golden age of the 2892-A2
Used by IWC (Mark XII, XV, Pilot), Omega (Seamaster 200, Speedmaster Reduced), Breitling (Aerospace), Tudor (several), Cartier (Pasha, Tank Française), Longines (the entire automatic catalogue).
2002
Swatch Group restricts 2892 sales
Historic announcement: Swatch will stop selling the 2892 to brands outside the group (effective gradually through 2010). Forced IWC, Breitling and others to develop in-house movements. Darwinian selection of the industry.
2007
Longines launches the L688 chronograph (ETA A08.L01 base)
Precedent: Longines gets an "exclusive" chronograph derived from ETA. Shows that Swatch will favour Longines with premium exclusive calibres.
2012
ETA introduces the A31 family · Longines launches L888
A31.L01 is the modernised 2892-A2: 64h reserve (vs 42h), new escapement, silicon option. Longines rebrands it L888 and mounts it in the Master Collection. Milestone in the modernisation of the calibre.
2014
Longines L897 · debut of the Annual Calendar module
Over the L888 base, Longines places a Dubois Dépraz annual calendar module. Launch of the Master Collection Annual Calendar at a category-breaking price (~USD 2,500). Changes the annual calendar category.
2017
L888.2 · silicon hairspring
Longines introduces Si14 (silicon) in the balance of the .2 version of the L888. Superior magnetic resistance and thermal stability. Keeps the 64h reserve.
2020
L897.2 · silicon in the Annual Calendar
The annual complication receives the silicon upgrade. This is the version that today's new Master Collection Annual Calendar models carry. Current calibre of the line.
2022
L888.5 · COSC from the factory
Chronometer-certified version of the L888 (in some Master Collection and Spirit models). Shows that the A31.L01 architecture is now mature enough for official certification.
2023
Master Collection AC · aesthetic refresh
Longines refreshes the Annual Calendar dial options: new sunray dials, improved deployant clasp bracelet options. The L897.2 remains technically unchanged.
2026
Flagship configuration · L2.910.4.51.7
Best-selling combination of the contemporary Master Collection Annual Calendar: 40 mm, steel, silver "barleycorn" guilloché dial, blued hands, central hand date, month aperture at 12, steel bracelet. L897.2 calibre with silicon hairspring. The "default" choice in the accessible Annual Calendar segment.