How to set up the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)
Short answer: Unscrew the crown if needed and pull it to position 2. Turn forwards until the full moon is centred, then one full crown turn per day since the last full moon. Turn backwards at the same position for the date, but not between 20:00 and 03:00. The watch keeps running throughout.
Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899) at a glance
| References | L2.909 family, e.g. L2.909.4.92.0 and L2.909.4.77.3 (40 mm) |
|---|---|
| Calibre | L899, automatic |
| Crown | 1 = winding, 2 = moon (forwards) and date (backwards), 3 = time with seconds stopped at 60 |
| Moon | One full revolution of the crown = one day |
| Date | Shown by a hand. Correct it after any month shorter than 31 days. |
| Avoid | 20:00 to 03:00 on the dial when setting the date |
| If it has stopped | About 30 turns of the crown at position 1 |
What do you need to set on the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)?
Set up moon phase on the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)
N is the number of whole days since the last full moon. The interactive guide works it out for your location and today's date, and shows the exact count.
- 1
Unscrew if needed, crown to 2
Screw-in crowns: unscrew anti-clockwise first.
- 2
Turn forwards to FULL moon
Stop when the full moon is centred.
🎯 Full moon centred - 3
Then N full turns forwards
One full crown revolution per day since the last full moon.
- 4
Push in (and screw down)
Back to 1. The watch kept running.
Set up the date on the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)
- 1
Crown to 2, turn backwards
Stop on today's date.
⚠️ Avoid 20:00–03:00 on the dial. The date and moon mechanism is engaged then. Move the hands out of that window first (for example to 6:30), or wait. - 2
Push in
Back to 1.
Set the time on the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)
- 1
Crown to 3 at 60 seconds
Pull out when the seconds hand is at 12. It stops.
- 2
Set the time
Push back to 1 on the beat.
Start a stopped watch on the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899)
- 1
Wind about 30 turns
Crown in position 1.
What owners run into
- One crown turn per day is a lot of turning. Counting turns, not notches, is what trips people up.
- The date hand doesn't know short months. Move it on by hand after February, April, June, September and November.
How the Longines Master Collection Moonphase (calibre L899) differs from similar watches
Like the Tissot, the moon is set with the crown, but forwards and a full turn per day. The Jaeger-LeCoultre 925 uses correctors instead.
Quick answers
How many crown turns per day of moon on the Longines L899?
One full revolution per day.
How do I wind a stopped Longines L899?
Give it about 30 turns with the crown at position 1, then set it.