Longines Cal.30CH Flyback Chronograph 18ct Pink Gold 1953

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 it has been treated as something of a Cinderella among the watch collecting fraternity until relatively recently. Longines is now rightfully returning towards the elevated status it once held in the pre and post-war years when it ranked among the very best among of Swiss watch manufacturers. It is really only within the past three years that Longines vintage watches have risen again to the admiration and popularity they deserve, with values rising of by around 15 – 20% per year and on certain models, such as the now legendary Longines Calibre.13ZN chronograph, prices have sky-rocketed!

Description

An extremely rare oversized, gentleman’s flyback chronograph wristwatch from Longines in an elegant 18ct pink gold case. This watch measures 36mm in diameter excluding the Longines unsigned crown and carries the highly accurate and reliable Calibre 30CH, 17 Jewel movement which was one of the finest chronograph movements available at the time this watch was produced.

The Dial

Often, chronograph dials can be overly busy and consequently difficult to read, but this is one of the most elegant and simple we have seen on any chronograph. It is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and well proportioned. The dial itself in silver-white contrasts wonderfully with the pink gold case, original pink gilt ‘leaf’ hands and ‘baton’ hour indices mixed with standard Arabic numerals at ‘6 – 12’. In essence, this is a highly sophisticated and highly elegant dial – all that Longines brand represents.

The dial carries a blue outer tachymeter scale which can be used to compute speed, based on travel time, or measure distance based on speed and a black seconds scale which is divided into fifths of a second. These give the dial a slightly technical look, but by no means excessively so.

As with most chronographs, the left-hand dial is used to continuously read seconds, whether or not the centre seconds hand/chronograph function is operating. The right-hand register records elapsed minutes up to 30, while the chronograph is running. This, and the centre seconds hand are started as soon as the top pusher is pressed. These are then stopped on this movement by a press of the bottom pusher, to record the elapsed time in seconds and minutes. Both hands are then reset to zero by a single press of the bottom pusher. This watch being a flyback chronograph, can be reset to zero even when the chronograph function is still running, when reset to zero the chronograph function will then continue. Each of the pushers works perfectly with a lovely smooth action.

This dial is simply signed with ‘Longines’ at the top of the dial below 12.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard yet remains in simply outstanding condition.

The Movement

The original high-grade Cal.30CH, 17 Jewels hand-wound movement, as with all Longines movements, is highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability. Longines watch movements have always been revered among watchmakers and serious watch collectors alike and this has driven up the popularity of these watches among the main market in recent years.

As can be seen, the movement is amazingly clean and well cared for. Generally speaking, a watch movement of this age will begin to show some tarnishing on some of its surfaces caused by moisture. However, this movement has been kept in tip-top condition through regular servicing and proper care and attention. Again, along with the condition of the rest of the watch, the movement indicates this watch has been treated with all the proper care it deserves.

This wonderful movement has been given a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage chronograph specialist watchmaker. This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only the correct original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon returning to stock, the watch is now running to within +10 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! When fully wound, this movement has a 42 hour power reserve. We therefore have no hesitations in offering this watch with our 12 months’ warranty*

The movement is correctly signed with ‘Longines’, ’18 Jewels’, ‘Swiss’ along with the calibre 30 CH and the movement serial number 9648478.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.

Please note – It is important to remember that after the chronograph function can be started through the operation of the top button, it should be stopped with the same button and then reset with the bottom button after use. i.e. the chronograph function is not designed to be left running as this will cause unnecessary increased wear.

The Watch Case 

The 18ct pink gold, three-piece watch case is beautifully constructed. The lugs are straight and swept-back and the flat case-back is blemish free. In fact, from any viewpoint, the case is immaculate with no scratches, dings or other marks visible to the naked eye. The case measures an oversized 36mm in diameter, excluding the correct Longines unsigned crown.

Inside the case-back is correctly signed ‘Longines’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ along with London UK 18ct hallmarks and the case reference number 7414 6 and 129.

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.

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 Hirsch brown lizard strap with a plain gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please do let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, however we can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1953.

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 also 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”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included.

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.

This is a truly first class example of a vintage Longines which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Even though vintage gold Longines prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Longines watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher.

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.