Longines
Longines is one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers with an unparalleled history of invention, innovation, patents and awards. The company is also responsible for some of the most beautiful watches ever made, but something of a Cinderella among the watch collecting fraternity until recently. Longines is now rightfully returning towards the elevated status it once held in the pre and post-war years when it competed head to head with the very best among the Swiss watch manufacturers. It is really only within the past few years that Longines vintage watches have risen again to the admiration and popularity they deserve, with values rising by around 15 – 20% per year. On certain models however, such as the now legendary Longines Calibre.13ZN chronograph, prices have sky-rocketed.
Description
Here we have a simply wonderful example of Longines style and elegance from 1959, when the company was at its peak and competing head to head with all of the top-tier Swiss watch manufacturers. An incredible vintage Longines gentleman’s hand-wound dress watch. Notable features of this watch include its beautiful, original, unrestored and untouched silver-white dial with original ‘lance’ hands, matching mixed hour indices and the stunning condition of its case.
The Dial
The completely original, unrestored and untouched silver-white dial is a classic example of Longines style and elegance. Clean, simple and very understated. Yellow gilt ‘lance’ style hands are matched with applied ‘arrowhead’ hour indices mixed with ‘3 – 6 – 9 12’ standard Arabic numerals. This dial catches the light beautifully which we have tried to demonstrate in the photographs.
During the 1950s and ’60s, Longines excelled in all aspects of watch design. The company was rightfully held in very high regard for the quality of its movements and close examination of the dial and watch case reveals equal high regard for design, quality, purpose and perfection. We also think almost all of the Longines classic vintage watch dial designs were a step ahead, in terms of design, elegance and sophistication and here is another excellent example, with everything in perfect proportion and balance. Having no date window means the dial is beautifully well balanced and even the name and the brand look more ‘in place’ than any other, which incidentally is the oldest registered trademark of any watch manufacturer.
The dial is simply signed ‘Longines’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom.
This dial is original and unrestored and has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.
Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.
The Movement
This watch contains its original Longines Cal.280, 17 Jewel movement which is popularly regarded as one of the best ‘in-house’ hand-wound movements Longines has ever made.
Following its restoration, overhaul and service, and as seen in the photographs, the movement is now in sparkling condition. This movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only original Longines parts where required. When tested and calibrated, this watch was running to within +8 seconds per day, which is outstanding for a vintage watch of this age, and when fully wound, this movement also has a 42-hour power reserve.
The movement is signed ‘Longines’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘17 Jewels’ with the Calibre No. 280 and the Serial No. 11073494. This serial number dates this watch to 1959.
These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable making the watch appropriate for regular everyday use. This particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing, every 3 to 4 years we would fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! We are therefore pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement* and servicing in the future, as required.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage Watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Watch Case
The 9ct yellow gold, two-piece watch case is beautifully constructed. The lugs are straight and swept-back and the flat case-back is blemish free. The case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct Longines unsigned crown. In fact, from any viewpoint, the case is outstanding with no scratches, dings or other marks visible to the naked eye.
This watch has obviously been very well cared for and has seen only occasional use, as evidenced by its condition, and has only required a professional clean and light hand-polish as part of the restoration.
This interior of the case is correctly signed with ‘Longines’ along with ‘Fab Suisse’ and the case reference number 7123 1.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The strap fitted is a brown leather strap with a Longines gold-plated buckle. Please note, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock and in plain padded leather, or crocodile skin or lizard skin.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1959.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
This watch comes complete with a Longines Presentation box as shown in the photographs.
Payment and Delivery
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
Here we have a beautiful and high class vintage watch from one of the most collectable and highly regarded vintage watch brands which will make an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy! It is completely practical for use as an everyday watch and as long as it is well cared for and serviced every 3-4 years, it will last another lifetime. It carries a great deal more style, individuality and panache than a new watch and to buy the same quality today would cost at least three or four times the price here.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
