1950s Ladies Longines - would like to know more...

I'm largely a bargain basement furkler on the 'bay when it comes to watches, but I do have an itch for a Longines that needs scratching. I have one inherited from my dad, but since I have a love-hate relationship with it, I'm on the lookout for something I'd actually enjoy wearing.

Spotted this particular example on the Bay of E, and I just find it very pleasing. Which surprised me, as I tend to prefer the mid-60s to mid-70s aesthetic. I didn't buy this as the said auction turned into a bunfight that went way over my budget. But it's made me want to learn more and look for another. (Seller's pic, btw, and there weren't any of the movement, unfortunately.)



According to the listing, it was 27mm including the crown, and 31mm from lug-to-lug. So not as tiddly as some, and in the ballpark size-wise to what I normally wear. If anyone can pin a reference or any other details onto this, I'd be very grateful.

Whoops, my bad, I should have mentioned it was plated...

Cheap is a matter of perspective 😜

Actually, I have no problems paying a fair price, but ebay auctions can sometimes be a bit 🤨

Don't forget to always ask the seller a pic of the movement, it's an absolute must do, I never put any big bucks without seeing what's inside.

Cute watch, especially with that matching bead of rice bracelet- would you share a link to the entire listing? That would help us say more.

Hmm, it could also be a late “sei tacche”, with 6 notches on the case back, and the movement a late 8.68. I would say around year 1951.

However and at the risk of disappointing you, I’m not sure you can find one exactly like it. Even though I’ve been busy lately and haven’t followed sales listings as closely as I used to, I don’t recall seeing one exactly like it for sale.

What are the features about it which you liked? Was it the gold color? The 1950s style?
The overall shape and chubby case?
We would need to know that in order to suggest alternatives.

PS edit / add-Er, okay, I found it and i stand by my previous impressions. More pics for the record.

I see you found the original listing @Syrte

The 50s style and the chunky case are what stand out for me. And the plain (non-lume) hands and dial. It's just a very attractive thing.

Besides, watches are a lot like buses. Something will turn up eventually. 😀

Same seller has something fairly similar up for sale again. A stainless steel case this time (I'd guess just a little bit later than the one in my original post), and the same dial, but that dial looks like it's definitely seen better days...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175818280673



If you look past the ghastly strap and the damage, it's a stylish thing. Not sure whether I prefer SS or gold plated now, though the former is certainly more practical. No, I'm not going to bid, although I'll certainly keep an eye out to see where it ends up compared to the other one.

I want to keep looking for one in better nick.

Ewe. 😲

It sold for only £21 - a quarter of the price of the first one. Nuff said, I guess.

I have a similar watch, pictures below, which I bought probably around 5 years ago for 60 euros +shipping.

It has a purplish/ pinkish patina on the dial which I really like and which is hard to render in pictures, but at the time I considered the price super reasonable,
and even quite cheap for a ladies Longines. So I’d say it may be difficult to find a cheaper Longines that’s in decent condition.

Mine is probably 1949 or 1950- with a style that’s a transition between the 1940s and the 1950s: the aesthetic and style of the dial indices is 1950s, but the hands, subdial, and Longines signature are still 1940s. The examples you posted have an applied winged hour glass logo which mine doesn’t have, and which appeared in the early 1950s.

PS the steel watch above not only had a damaged dial, it also had a non Longines replacement crown, which you can readily compare to the first example and mine, both equipped with what @DirtyDozen12 has very cutely and aptly called a « muffin crown » in private discussions we had about this type.

That's a really lovely watch @Syrte 🥰 See what you mean about the muffin crown, that's as apt a description as any.

As with anything collectable, it's always price vs condition, so I think it's a question of sit tight, wait, learn a bit (lot!) more and keep the powder dry for the right one when it comes along. Hopefully something in the £60-£70 price bracket will turn up eventually.

Unfortunately my tirelire is empty right now, as I've just had to replace my car on short notice after its ECU fried itself. 🙁 So no watches for me for a little while.