Modelled on a watch made for Second World War British special forces, the Heritage Military COSD replica watch sticks to the formula that has made Longines’ vintage remakes a success.
Longines has a pretty good track record with its historical remakes, particularly those modelled on vintage military or sports watches. The latest addition to the Longines Heritage replica watch line is the Military COSD, a compact watch that’s inspired by a distinctive timepiece made for the British commandos during the Second World War.
The original COSD wristwatch was made for the Combined Operations Supply Depot, and not the “Company Ordnance Supply Depot” as it has been mistaken for. COSD was the outfit that supplied materiel to the Combined Operations Headquarters, set up by the British War Office during the Second World War to strike German military installations in Occupied Europe with lightning amphibious raids. Notably, the second commander of Combined Operations was Lord Louis Mountbatten, famous for being the last Viceroy of India.
Like all remakes, the Longines Heritage Military COSD replica watch has been enlarged to suit modern tastes. Measuring 40 mm in diameter, it’s much larger than the 35 mm original, but still smallish by modern standards. And because of the wide bezel, the Longines Heritage Military COSD replica watch seems smaller than it is on the wrist. The steel case is entirely polished, giving it a shiny appearance that’s slightly at odds with the military look. It’s hard to discern what finish was originally applied to the vintage COSD watches, but they likely had a matte finish.
Two dial variants of the Longines Heritage Military COSD replica watch are available, including an off-white with blued steel hands that’s similar to the 1940s original and the more authentic of the pair. The other is black with white hands, giving it a look closer to the typical military watch and one that’s probably most acceptable to someone looking for a military-style watch. Both dials have an identical layout, including the broad arrow logo, used to mark British government property even today. Like nearly all Longines remakes, the COSD has a date window at three o’clock, a modern convenience that is completely incongruous with the historical look but inevitable.
