With the GrandeVitesse line, Longines has sought to give material form to the concept of speed through a series of models honouring the memory of the fastest men in history and destined for bold sportsmen of today. Fluid lines, aerodynamic curves, energy-filled typography, tachymeter and the form of the pushers are just some of the distinctive signs of this watch made for speed. It is inspired by the world of automobile and motor sports, for which Longines for years provided the timekeeping.
With the models of the GrandeVitesse series, the notion of speed becomes truly tangible. Their technical and aesthetic characteristics are such as to raise them to the stature of instruments for timing records. Each has a ∅42 mm case in stainless steel, the aerodynamic curves and harmonious outline of which evoke both performance and elegance.
The “Racing” and “Classic” models are equipped with a tachymeter on the bezel or dial. Graduated in km/h or mph, they enable the measuring of a ground speed of about Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound or about 2,477 km/h at sea level and 20°C). The special “Cavalier” model also has a similar device but limited to the speed of a galloping horse.
The GrandeVitesse series includes automatic chronographs with mechanical movements, visible through the sapphire glass base. The dial is available in silver sunray, black and chocolate colour for the Racing models, and opaline silver, midnight blue, black and rhodium plated for the Classic models. It features a “big 12”, the design of which is inspired by the form of the numbers used in marking racing cars. The “Cavalier” model has a chestnut brown dial with Arabic numerals.
The sporting spirit of the series is further stressed by the non-slip embossing of the crown, case band and the pushers. These pushers are highlighted in bright red in the “Racing” model, and enable the activation of the chronograph functions indicated by the same colour on the dial.
The different models are available with a steel bracelet and leather or rubber strap fitted with a triple security folding clasp.
With the models of the Longines GrandeVitesse range the concept of speed becomes tangible through a series of watches honouring the memory of the fastest men in history and intended for today’s bold sportsmen.
This Racing model is fitted with the L667 automatic selfwinding mechanical movement (Valjoux 7750), producing 28,800 alternations per hour and offering a power reserve of 46 hours. Its chronograph mechanism has a seconds dial in the centre, a 30 minutes counter at 12 o’clock and 12 hours at 6 o’clock. The black dial shows the date, hour and minutes, has a seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and is embellished with a “big12” and painted indices, which set off the “Mach 2” tachymeter on the bezel in aluminium. The case in stainless steel has a back in sapphire glass revealing the oscillations of the movement. Strap in genuine black leather with deployment buckle. Water-resistant to 50 meters.
Technical details
Movement
Automatic chronograph, L667 calibre (ETA 7750 Valjoux), 25 rubies, 28,800 vib/h
42-hour power reserve
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date, tachometer
Case
Polished and satin-finished steel, 42 mm
Black aluminium or polished steel bezel with Mach 2 (km/h or mph) tachometer scale
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Transparent sapphire back
Water-resistant to 50 m
Dial
Black, chocolate brown or silvered sunray with Superluminova large number 12 and hour-markers
Rhodium-plated hands coated with Superluminova
Small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap
Steel with triple safety folding clasp; black or brown leather with folding clasp
