Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsLongines announced the Heritage Military COSD in 2016 as a reissue inspired by a watch it said was created for British paratroopers in the 1940s. It carries over military-style cues such as the Broad Arrow dial mark and NATO-type strap, but the reviewed reissue also adds or changes details—including a date window, spring bars and a polished finish—so it is not an exact copy of wartime examples.
What does COSD stand for?
The initials’ expansion is not settled in the cited accounts. In a February 2016 review, Jack Forster reported that auction notes proposed “Company Ordnance Supply Depot.” He also described alternative interpretations connected with the initials on a De Lisle carbine, including “Combined Operations Stores Division” or “Depot.” Longines’s 2016 announcement does not expand COSD, so none of these should be treated as confirmed.
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Bulova Men's Military Heritage Hack Veteran's Watchmaking Initiative Watch in Stainless Steel with... | $346.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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The LONGINES Master Collection 40MM Automatic Watch | $3,000.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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THE LONGINES Master Collection 42MM Automatic Watch | $4,300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What is the Longines Heritage Military COSD based on?
In its 16 May 2016 announcement, Longines said the reissue adopted the sober, characteristic design of a watch created for British paratroopers in the 1940s. The company highlighted the NATO strap and the Broad Arrow on the dial, noting that the arrow was used on military equipment at the time. That is Longines’s framing of the inspiration; the announcement alone does not establish every detail of the original watch’s service history. Longines announcement, 16 May 2016.
Forster’s 2 February 2016 Hodinkee review describes the historical watches as issued to British military personnel, particularly paratroopers, during the Second World War. His account offers a specialist perspective on the model’s history, while also emphasizing differences between the reissue and the wartime examples he discusses. Hodinkee review, 2 February 2016.
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How is the COSD reissue different from the original?
The most useful comparison is not “replica or not,” but which design cues Longines retained and which details changed. The table distinguishes Longines’s stated design references from Forster’s observations about the reissue he reviewed and the wartime examples he had seen.
| Feature | Heritage Military COSD reissue | Wartime examples described in the review |
|---|---|---|
| Dial | Forster reported black and opaline/white variants; he reviewed a black-dial example. | Forster said the originals he had seen appeared white-dialed; this is his observation, not a census of all surviving examples. |
| Date display | Date window. | Forster describes the originals he discusses as lacking a date window. |
| Strap attachment | Conventional spring bars. | Fixed, soldered bars, according to Forster. |
| Case finish | Forster characterized the reviewed reissue as highly polished. | He contrasted that finish with the heavily used surviving originals he had seen. |
| Military-style cues | Longines called out the NATO strap and Broad Arrow dial mark. | Longines said the Broad Arrow was used at the time on military equipment. |
These distinctions matter because a historically inspired design can preserve recognizable visual signals without reproducing every construction choice or the wear of a service-used watch.
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What were the reissue’s specifications and price in 2016?
Jack Forster’s February 2016 review reported the following specifications and price for the Heritage Military COSD at that time. The $1,700 figure is a historical review-era price, not a current price; the cited sources do not establish present retail availability or pricing.
| Item | Reported in Forster’s February 2016 review |
|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm stainless steel |
| Crystal | Sapphire with antireflective coating |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Strap | NATO-type military strap |
| Dial options | Black or opaline/white |
| Water resistance | 30 meters/100 feet |
| Reported price | $1,700 in the February 2016 review |
Forster’s review and its dated specifications.
Is this the same watch as the Longines Heritage Military?
No. Longines announced a separate model called the Heritage Military in 2017. The company described that watch as army-influenced, with twelve large Arabic numerals on a matte black dial. It is distinct from the Heritage Military COSD, announced in 2016. Longines announcement of the separate Heritage Military, 7 June 2017.
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- Stainless steel with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
What to check before buying a COSD-style strap
The NATO-type strap is part of the reissue’s military styling, but the cited descriptions do not specify strap width or prove that one size or attachment will fit every version. Before buying a replacement, check the dimensions and attachment format for your exact watch.
Quick Recap
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- Automatic L687 movement, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Moon phase display at 6 o'clock. Case, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Chronograph mechanism : central 60 seconds hand, moon phase display with 12 hours counter at 6 o'clock, 30 minutes counter with day and month display at 12 o'clock. Transparent case back with sapphire crystal
- Stainless steel with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
