Longines - Master Collection Retrograde - L2.717.4 - Men - 2010-2020

Longines Master Collection Retrograde L2.717.4 – 44 mm – automatic – four retrograde complications – second time zone – day & date – silver guilloché dial

An technically impressive Longines Master Collection Retrograde with a generous 44 mm stainless steel case and a characteristic silver-toned guilloché dial. This model stands out with four retrograde indications: day of the week, date, small seconds, and a second time zone with a 24-hour display.

The classic Roman numerals and blued hands give the watch the traditional look of the Master Collection, while the complex dial clearly shows that this is one of the more extensive mechanical models in the collection.

The automatic Longines caliber L698.2 is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The timegrapher measurement at the time of testing shows a deviation of 0 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 302° and a beat error of 0.1 ms.

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Basic information

Brand: Longines
Collection: The Longines Master Collection
Model: Master Collection Retrograde
Reference: L2.717.4
Variant family: L2.717.4.71.x
Diameter: 44 mm
Case material: stainless steel
Dial: silver / white
Dial structure: guilloché
Indices: Roman numerals
Glass: sapphire crystal
Movement: automatic mechanical
Caliber: Longines L698.2
Base movement: ETA A07 L21
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Jewel count: 25
Power reserve: approx. 48 hours
Water resistance according to model specifications: 3 bar / 30 meters
Case back: transparent sapphire crystal
Bracelet: dark brown leather strap with crocodile pattern
Clasp: Longines deployant clasp
Current wrist size: approx. 20–21 cm

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Important details

• 44 mm version of the Master Collection Retrograde
• Automatic Longines caliber L698.2
• Four separate retrograde functions
• Retrograde day display
• Retrograde date display
• Retrograde small seconds
• Retrograde second time zone with 24-hour scale
• Silver-toned guilloché dial
• Roman hour marks
• Blued steel hands
• Sapphire crystal
• Transparent case back
• Original Longines-signed crown
• Longines deployant clasp
• Timegrapher: 0 s/d, 302°, 0.1 ms

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Estimated production period

Estimated production period: circa early to mid-2010s.

The L2.717.4 belongs to the generation of Master Collection Retrograde models that Longines offered in various 41 and 44 mm versions. Without a clearly dated warranty card or additional serial-number dating, no exact individual production year is given.

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Case

The round case is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 44 mm. The case is largely high-polish finished and features the long, elegantly shaped lugs that are characteristic of the classic Master Collection design.

The case size gives the watch a strong presence on the wrist, which suits the amount of information and complications on the dial.

On the case flank there are small integrated pushers that allow separate adjustment of various calendar and time-zone functions.

The case is in neat used condition. On the polished surfaces there are light signs of wear and fine scratches, mainly on areas that are touched during normal wear and operation.

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Dial

The silver-toned dial is a key visual component of this model. The central surface has a fine, repeating guilloché texture that comes forward clearly depending on the light.

Around the perimeter are black Roman numerals, combined with an outer minute scale.

Below the center is the LONGINES signature with the winged hourglass logo. Further, AUTOMATIC is on the lower part of the dial and SWISS MADE at 6 o’clock.

Despite the many functions, the layout remains strongly symmetrical. Each complication has its own clearly delineated scale.

The dial is in very neat condition.

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Hands

The watch is equipped with several blued steel hands. Due to the thermally blue-appearing finish these can vary from almost black to bright blue depending on the light.

The central feuille-shaped hour and minute hands form a classic contrast with the silver-toned dial.

In addition, the watch features four separate hands for the retrograde functions.

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Retrograde day display

At the top of the dial is the day display.

The scale runs in an arc from MON to WED and FRI to SUN. The separate blued hand moves across this scale during the week and jumps back to the start after reaching the end.

This is the first of the four retrograde functions.

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Retrograde date

At the right side of the dial is the date display.
The scale runs from 1 to 31 and is read by a separate blued hand. At the end of the cycle this hand returns to the start of the scale.

Therefore there is no traditional date window and the calendar function remains fully integrated into the dial design.

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Second time zone / 24-hour display

At the left side there is a retrograde 24-hour scale from 2 to 24 hours.
This function can be used to display a second time zone and therefore makes the watch suitable for concurrently following two different times.

This hand also works retrograde and returns to the starting position after reaching the end of its scale.

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Retrograde small seconds

At 6 o’clock sits the fourth retrograde indication.
This scale runs from 0 to 60 seconds. The small seconds hand moves along the curved scale and jumps back to the start after 60 seconds.

Thus the watch does not require a traditional rotating central seconds hand.

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Movement

Inside is the automatic Longines caliber L698.2.
This mechanical movement is based on the ETA A07 L21 platform and was specifically adapted for the extensive retrograde functions of Longines.

Caliber: Longines L698.2
Base: ETA A07 L21
Winding: automatic
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour / 4 Hz
Jewel count: 25
Power reserve: approx. 48 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, retrograde small seconds, retrograde date, retrograde day and retrograde second time zone / 24-hour display

The movement is visible through the transparent back.

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Timegrapher measurement

The performed measurement shows:
Delta rate: 0 seconds per day
Amplitude: 302°
Beat error: 0.1 ms
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Lift angle: 52°

These are very neat values during this measurement.

A timegrapher measurement is always a snapshot in a single position and does not constitute a guarantee of future accuracy, water resistance, or the full technical condition of the movement.

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Back

The case is equipped with a transparent back allowing the automatic movement to remain visible.
The rotor is signed:

Longines
L698.2

On the outer ring of the case back are inscribed among others THE LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION, ALL STAINLESS STEEL and SWISS MADE.

Through the sapphire crystal, the decorated rotor, balance, and various finished movement parts are visible.

The polished outer edge of the case back shows light signs of wear and fine scratches consistent with normal use.

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Crown and pushers

The large ridged crown is signed with LONGINES and the winged hourglass logo.
Next to the crown, discrete crown guards are integrated into the case flank for setting the different retrograde functions. This keeps the case lines relatively quiet despite the extensive calendar and second time zone features.

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Bracelet

The watch is mounted on a dark brown to almost black leather strap with a crocodile pattern and contrasting light stitching.
The strap has clearly been worn. In particular on the inside there are strong signs of wear, discoloration, finish wear and drying of the leather. Around various adjustment holes and flex points there are also clear signs of use.
The exterior is still presentable, but given the state of the interior the band replacement may be desirable in the future.

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Clasp

Equipped with a Longines signed stainless steel deployment clasp.
The clasp bears the Longines signature and the winged hourglass logo. The polished parts show light to normal signs of wear.

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Wrist size

In the current setting the band measures about 20–21 cm.
Actual fit may vary slightly depending on the adjustment position used and the shape of the wrist.

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Condition

Case: neat used condition with light hairlines and surface scratches
Bezel: neat condition with light signs of wear
Dial: very neat condition
Hands: neat condition
Sapphire crystal: clear and without noticeable heavy damage
Case back: light signs of wear on the polished outer ring
Movement: visually well maintained and visible through the transparent case back
Crown: neat used condition
Pushers: present on the case flanks
Band: clearly worn, with significant wear on the inner side
Clasp: original Longines-signed, with light signs of wear

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Overall condition

A technically interesting 44 mm Longines Master Collection Retrograde with a very recognizable silver guilloché dial and four mechanical retrograde indications.

The combination of day, date, small seconds and second time zone makes the L2.717.4 considerably more extensive than a traditional Master Collection. The blued hands, Roman numerals and classic case shape keep the overall look clearly in the traditional Longines style.

The watch is in overall neat used condition. The case and clasp show normal light signs of wear, while the dial is very well preserved. The leather strap, however, shows clear wear and signs of use. The measured movement values are particularly clean during the timegrapher measurement, with 0 seconds per day, 302° amplitude, and 0.1 ms beat error.