The 3 minute display is an homage to the timers of old to track long-distance phone calls. This is a remake of a 1950s prototype chronograph, and the original would have had 3 minute segments. You can find the same thing on Breitling Premier models.
A great watch with real purpose. I contemplated it a few years ago, tried it on and decided to go with the Sinn 756, I chose the Sinn because they eliminated the second hand to make the sub registers larger, so you can call it the “Big Eyes” lol. In addition they add some layers of tech like anti magnetic properties, Diapal tech, date function, the temperature tolerance is insane and tegimented steel. It’s my favorite tool watch in my collection and has been put through the wringer, including sauna 2-3 times a week for years and still runs at -4 per day. If I had to replace it I’d def explore the titanium Big Eye and see how it truly compares. Great review man! Love the openness to bring on others watches. Maybe let us know what’s on the pipeline for review and someone with a comparable watch can send it in to go head to head. Cheers
I love this watch so much, and I don't even collect complicated watches anymore. It doesn't look busy at all, and even if it is thick, it wears so well, even for smaller wrists. It's so empowering when on wrist.
Bought this initially in jan '18, in oct '21 sold it then in mar '22 bought it again... Fantastic watch. Also, very important, this version of the watch won the GPHG 2017 Revival prize!
Bought the titanium with petrol dial 3 years ago. Still a banger. Funny how many youtubers now tend to discover this watch :) Get it, it is crazy versatile depending the strap you use it with.
Hey, great video! My wife and I both have the Avigation BigEye-we bought them together to celebrate completing our pilot licenses. I wanted to share something about the 3-minute markers on the chronograph, which actually connect to traditional aviation practices, especially the standard rate turn. In aviation, a standard rate turn means turning at 3 degrees per second, completing a 180° turn in 1 minute and a full 360° turn in 2 minutes. The markers on the Avigation BigEye help pilots time and track these turns, making navigation easier, especially under instrument flight rules (IFR) when visibility is limited. Longines included this feature as a tribute to vintage pilot watches, combining practical function with classic design. To clarify, the chronograph isn’t marked in exact 3-minute intervals. Instead, it begins with a large marker, followed by two smaller markers, with the final large marker indicating the end of the 2-minute turn window. Hope this explanation makes sense!
@@shuycg but to be honest, this is total BS as absolutely no one is using a watch (nowadays) to do any timing or calculation or anticipation in flight other than just for fun and to play with our beloved toys :)
The thickness grows on you. Find the right strap and outfit for it. I’ve grown to like the size as most of my watches are on the thinner end. Also a very useful watch on timing activities!
Long distance phone calls used to be purchased for 3 minutes a piece and they used to be very expensive. That's why there's pronounced markers at the 3 and 6 min marks. Breguet and Blancpain do this as well.
Been collecting watches about 20 years and nobody and I mean nobody ever complained about the thickness of a watch. Fast forward to now and it's all they seem to complain about. I own a Heuer Monaco CAL-11 and a TAG Heuer Link Cjf2110 and the thickness never bothered me at all
Best value for money in this category. Still love mine after five years and it’s a solid part of my rotation. I also have a Breitling AVI 765 1953 re-edition and the BigEye, at a third of the AVI 765 price, is holding its own. If you’re into classic aviator watches this is a must have.
I own this watch and it is great value for money. Love the design. It is a direct take off a vintage Longines that came into their archives for restoration from a client and one that could not be readily documented. I have heard the minute tracks is purposely designed in this way due to a pilots standard rate of turn at 3 degrees which takes 2 minutes to do a full 360 so emphasis on the minute counter only going to 15 minutes and larger minute track counter for better legibility.
I'm glad it does NOT have a Tachymeter scale (which I have NEVER used on my Speedmaster). As a result the Big Eye has a bigger dial and a cleaner look.
The problem with Longines, as well 95% of the other manufactures, is that they do not case HAQ movements as an alternative in their great looking watches. I know there is still a huge prejudice in Watch World where as most of the enthusiasts would prefer a rather pedestrian, fairly inaccurate mechanical movement in their watch because the seconds hand "sweeps" (lest they get made fun of at the next watch meetup). Retail-wise the ETA PreciDrive price is $140 where the 2824 is $199. Making an HAQ version potentially cheaper.
I have this watch but I've changed the strap for a black leather one. Thickness does not bother me as I have a 7.75 inch wrist. Couldn't see the justification of paying for an IWC.
Here is yet another top notch and beautiful watch that has no practical use because its minute counter is a specs French air force contract design of three minutes intervals. Breguet has a similar watch.
This is such a nice Longines. It’s a little too big for me but a guy I work with has this watch (I’m pretty sure it’s this reference). I’ll have to ask him again when I see him.
I have a Daytona and also a BigEye. Can’t real compare the two. Both chronos but that’s it. The BigEye gets about 10x as much wrist time and is a tru aviator. I agree that the Daytona is a better fit for smaller wrists.
I love your videos. I can't figure out why you never show up on my "subscriptions" page even though I'm subscribed. Frustrating, but great videos, nonetheless.
I own this watch paired with a Staib mesh bracelet... It's one of my favourite watches, and it sits in a collection next to Breitlings, Omegas, GSs... The famous Valjoux wobble can be flat felt at times but it's not a deal breaker for me. It runs incredibly accurate at +1s/day, really impressive considering its not COSC certified.
The 3 minute display is an homage to the timers of old to track long-distance phone calls. This is a remake of a 1950s prototype chronograph, and the original would have had 3 minute segments. You can find the same thing on Breitling Premier models.
I had heard this, too. It makes perfect sense as someone who grew up with phone boxes.
I have this watch and absolutely love it.
Do you think it's worth $2000 ?@@catsteeth
A great watch with real purpose. I contemplated it a few years ago, tried it on and decided to go with the Sinn 756, I chose the Sinn because they eliminated the second hand to make the sub registers larger, so you can call it the “Big Eyes” lol. In addition they add some layers of tech like anti magnetic properties, Diapal tech, date function, the temperature tolerance is insane and tegimented steel. It’s my favorite tool watch in my collection and has been put through the wringer, including sauna 2-3 times a week for years and still runs at -4 per day. If I had to replace it I’d def explore the titanium Big Eye and see how it truly compares. Great review man! Love the openness to bring on others watches. Maybe let us know what’s on the pipeline for review and someone with a comparable watch can send it in to go head to head. Cheers
I love this watch so much, and I don't even collect complicated watches anymore.
It doesn't look busy at all, and even if it is thick, it wears so well, even for smaller wrists. It's so empowering when on wrist.
Bought this initially in jan '18, in oct '21 sold it then in mar '22 bought it again... Fantastic watch. Also, very important, this version of the watch won the GPHG 2017 Revival prize!
Bought the titanium with petrol dial 3 years ago. Still a banger.
Funny how many youtubers now tend to discover this watch :)
Get it, it is crazy versatile depending the strap you use it with.
Hey, great video! My wife and I both have the Avigation BigEye-we bought them together to celebrate completing our pilot licenses. I wanted to share something about the 3-minute markers on the chronograph, which actually connect to traditional aviation practices, especially the standard rate turn.
In aviation, a standard rate turn means turning at 3 degrees per second, completing a 180° turn in 1 minute and a full 360° turn in 2 minutes. The markers on the Avigation BigEye help pilots time and track these turns, making navigation easier, especially under instrument flight rules (IFR) when visibility is limited. Longines included this feature as a tribute to vintage pilot watches, combining practical function with classic design.
To clarify, the chronograph isn’t marked in exact 3-minute intervals. Instead, it begins with a large marker, followed by two smaller markers, with the final large marker indicating the end of the 2-minute turn window. Hope this explanation makes sense!
I know the pilot maneuver relation, but aren't there 3 minutes between the bigger markers, though.
@@shuycg read my comment carefully amigo ;)
@@shuycg but to be honest, this is total BS as absolutely no one is using a watch (nowadays) to do any timing or calculation or anticipation in flight other than just for fun and to play with our beloved toys :)
@@bonnystarksyour second paragraph is the one I'm having trouble with. But ok, let's move on.
The thickness grows on you. Find the right strap and outfit for it. I’ve grown to like the size as most of my watches are on the thinner end. Also a very useful watch on timing activities!
Long distance phone calls used to be purchased for 3 minutes a piece and they used to be very expensive. That's why there's pronounced markers at the 3 and 6 min marks. Breguet and Blancpain do this as well.
Been collecting watches about 20 years and nobody and I mean nobody ever complained about the thickness of a watch. Fast forward to now and it's all they seem to complain about. I own a Heuer Monaco CAL-11 and a TAG Heuer Link Cjf2110 and the thickness never bothered me at all
Best value for money in this category. Still love mine after five years and it’s a solid part of my rotation. I also have a Breitling AVI 765 1953 re-edition and the BigEye, at a third of the AVI 765 price, is holding its own. If you’re into classic aviator watches this is a must have.
I own this watch and it is great value for money. Love the design. It is a direct take off a vintage Longines that came into their archives for restoration from a client and one that could not be readily documented. I have heard the minute tracks is purposely designed in this way due to a pilots standard rate of turn at 3 degrees which takes 2 minutes to do a full 360 so emphasis on the minute counter only going to 15 minutes and larger minute track counter for better legibility.
I’d love your thoughts on Longine’s Ultra Chron 5hz watch. That thing is beautiful, and has a really interesting movement.
I'm glad it does NOT have a Tachymeter scale (which I have NEVER used on my Speedmaster). As a result the Big Eye has a bigger dial and a cleaner look.
I owned a Big Eye and its the one watch I truly regret letting go. Great watch, great brand and great price. Thanks for the review.
Longines at their best
It's thick, but it wears surprisingly well, especially in titanium.
Great video. You can pick this up for 2k on the gray market. I'd look at Sinn and Hanhart alongside this one before buying.
This is the top pilots watch for me. The look is so iconic!
Looks great! Love the straps
Longines is killing it!!
The problem with Longines, as well 95% of the other manufactures, is that they do not case HAQ movements as an alternative in their great looking watches. I know there is still a huge prejudice in Watch World where as most of the enthusiasts would prefer a rather pedestrian, fairly inaccurate mechanical movement in their watch because the seconds hand "sweeps" (lest they get made fun of at the next watch meetup). Retail-wise the ETA PreciDrive price is $140 where the 2824 is $199. Making an HAQ version potentially cheaper.
I agree that it would be cool but if no one is going to buy a HAQ watch then why make it?
Excellent video. Beautiful watch. I would rather purchase a Hanhart 417. Its manual but so much better. Cheers.
I have this watch but I've changed the strap for a black leather one. Thickness does not bother me as I have a 7.75 inch wrist. Couldn't see the justification of paying for an IWC.
If they did a manual winding version with a slimmer case I would buy it. But even with the current thickness it's still a good watch.
AVI 765 1953 re-edition sounds perfect for you.
@@bigc208 Interesting I never heard of it, thx.
Here is yet another top notch and beautiful watch that has no practical use because its minute counter is a specs French air force contract design of three minutes intervals. Breguet has a similar watch.
This is such a nice Longines. It’s a little too big for me but a guy I work with has this watch (I’m pretty sure it’s this reference). I’ll have to ask him again when I see him.
I find the thinner Zenith and Daytona way more comfortable. But if you have the wrist to dwarf this size then what a killer watch!
They are multiple the price of this one, so not sure it's fair to compare.
@@uleertel oh for sure, I only say that because I have abnormally small wrist and I'd prefer to save up and pay more for a thinner chrono
I have a Daytona and also a BigEye. Can’t real compare the two. Both chronos but that’s it. The BigEye gets about 10x as much wrist time and is a tru aviator. I agree that the Daytona is a better fit for smaller wrists.
I do like that watch, maybe a little too thick for me but I would still wear it.
Reduce it to 38mm diameter and 13mm thickness puting a columm wheel manual caliber and you ve got a fine harmounious delicate looking watch
What’s that green strap with the buckle?
Where’d you find the watch case? Thanks.
I love your videos. I can't figure out why you never show up on my "subscriptions" page even though I'm subscribed. Frustrating, but great videos, nonetheless.
I own this watch paired with a Staib mesh bracelet... It's one of my favourite watches, and it sits in a collection next to Breitlings, Omegas, GSs...
The famous Valjoux wobble can be flat felt at times but it's not a deal breaker for me. It runs incredibly accurate at +1s/day, really impressive considering its not COSC certified.
I believe the minute timer is broken into 3 min because pilots make turns at 3 minute intervals.
Man you are so handsome sometimes get distracted from your excellent content
That’s so weird
@@Bravogiovanni is it though?
I just wonder if that is a dude or girl who left that comment. 🤔
@@theoriginaljohngalt2450 and what difference does it make to you?
@@_Stav_ Like someone else said already, “that’s so weird”.
I loved it but: crappy lume and my bigeye hand was 1sec misaligned… how could that slip quality Control?
This or the Sinn 103?
I love it. But I also hate to be that guy… 30m WR seems a bit on the low side. A minimum of 50m would provide me with more reassurance.
Agreed. It’s the only thing stopping me from buying one.
With a date wheel under for free
So over rated same movement with unidirectional bezel day date
Hamilton below zero what a value for money
Separated into 3 is not very useful