Longines DolceVita

The Longines DolceVita collection combines Swiss engineering and watchmaking with Italian joie de vivre. In English, dolce vita translates to "the sweet life" – an appropriate name for these beautiful watches.

Thanks to their rectangular cases, these timepieces bear a strong resemblance to the iconic Cartier Tank. Other defining features include Roman numerals and a small seconds at 6 o'clock on many models. Longines crafts the cases out of stainless steel or 18-karat rose gold. Sizes range from a delicate 17.7 x 27 mm to an imposing 28.2 x 47 mm.

Rose gold women's watches with a mother-of-pearl dial, diamond indices, and a diamond-studded bezel are especially feminine and luxurious. Top models have up to 59 diamonds with a total weight of 0.445 carats. The list price for a quartz watch like the Longines ref. L5.255.9.71.0 with 46 diamonds comes in at 5,550 USD.

The Longines DolceVita chronograph is sporty and functional. Its stopwatch function enables the wearer to accurately time up to 30 minutes to within 1/10th of a second. Swiss movement manufacturer ETA provides Longines with the precise quartz calibers for these timepieces. Quartz watches come with the added advantage of being able to run for several years before needing a battery change. By comparison, mechanical watches generally require winding after less than two days.

Depending on its condition, you can purchase a pre-owned DolceVita chronograph for between 540 and 980 USD. Prices for new models range from 1,100 to 1,400 USD. If you prefer gold watches, be sure to have around 2,200 USD on hand.

Women's watches make up the majority of the Longines DolceVita collection. Diamond-studded pieces in gold are particularly refined and make fantastic gifts for any occasion. The ref. L5.255.9.71.0 feels especially classic thanks to its Roman numerals and tempered blue hands. Its case measures 20.8 x 32 mm and features 46 diamonds. A black alligator leather strap rounds off this timepiece. You can call this DolceVita model your own for around 5,000 USD. Cartier offers a similar watch in the form of the rose gold Tank Solo ref. W5200025. This quartz watch lacks any diamonds and costs roughly 4,300 USD new and 3,600 USD pre-owned.

Those with more modest tastes may enjoy the stainless steel DolceVita ref. L5.258.4.71.6. This timepiece has no diamond embellishments. Longines mounts the case on a stainless steel bracelet. Prices for this model begin under 1,100 USD. The ref. L2.258.4.71.0 with a black alligator leather strap sits in a similar price range. The rose gold ref. L5.255.8.71.0 demands a larger investment of approximately 3,400 USD.

The DolceVita collection is also home to a number of men's watches. At 28.2 x 47 mm, these models are much larger than their feminine counterparts. What's more, Longines equips these timepieces with the automatic caliber L592. This movement is based on the ETA A20.L01 and comes with a 40-hour power reserve and a date display at 6 o'clock. Roman numerals mark the hours on the silver flinqué dial. "Flinqué" is an engraving style, which Longines uses to create the dial's straight and wavy lines. Tempered blue steel hands underscore the watches' classic look. When it comes to the band, you can choose between alligator leather or stainless steel. The ref. L5.767.4.71.6 is paired with a five-piece link stainless steel bracelet and sells for about 1,400 USD new. The version on an alligator leather strap costs about the same.