I'm looking for a present for someone.

This seems a bit too scratched up, but still curious: what caliber is this ?
Would you call this a good watch?
Thanks for your thoughts, S

 

I'm not a pillow shape 70's fan. Looks pretty ordinary to me given your talent for finding interesting watches.

 

Thanks for the compliment Larry, well as you know the "finding" involves a lot of looking at diffferent stuff.

I've always liked those squarish-shaped blue dials from the 1970s; I'll just make sure not to call it a "Nautilus"

 

I am always attracted to the chunky 70s vibe of this style watch. Have owned several similar, but always end up disappointed with them on the wrist for one reason or another.

I know nothing about this particular Longines reference. I will say that it is my perception, perhaps misplaced, that Longines blue dials from that era have held up better than those of other manufactures. Blue Zeniths dials, for example, seem relatively fragile by comparison, a few very fine examples from several members notwithstanding.

 

Looks to me like a caliber 890 from the 70's.

Good idea.

 

Fixed that for ya.

 

Unfortunately I am a sucker for blue dials ,I like it

 

Thanks much-- I see it's not in your encyclopaedic thread about automatic Longines calibers ...
curious whether you have any thoughts about it, if you ever have a chance.
No hurry though (are we a bit tired in the Longines sub-forum? Just wondering).

Darlinboy, just what I was secretely hoping for (you are trouble )

Have a nice evening all,
S

 

After a LOT of polishing [and brushing], it would make a fine gift

 

Not much after 1970 catches my interest even if it's one of my pet brands but there's a few points I remember about Longines' inhouse movements in that decade. The 890 and 990 series were pretty nice. Both are dual barrel for extended power reserve. The 890's barrels are stacked while the 990's barrels are on the same plane making the 990 a thinner series of calibers than it's older cousins from the 890 series. In the mid to late 70's Longines sold all the tooling and information for these calibers to Lemania (?), and started using rebadged movements like everyone else who was hurt during the quartz crisis. Longines did still use these calibers so they must have had an agreement with Lemania to supply them.

 

Cool, thanks so much !! (the Lemania bit is very interesting too).

 

Second what ulackfocus said (will be a cold day in hell I find something to argue about with him regarding Longines movements). 890 series a cool movement and not as common as the 990's, as the 890's were replaced early on by the thinner 990's. Seems like thin movements were at a premium up until recently, where I see watches now that could serve as doorstops. The 990.1 became the Lemania 8815, which has been used by several brands in various iterations, including Breguet. I agree this particular watch is too beat up (unless the price is right!). There are a few Japanese sellers that have the blue dials pop up on occasion, usually with a 990 or 994 (no seconds hand).

 

Thanks Argonbeam, this one is priced around 250 US, but I agree it's too beat up.
I'm sure a better one is bound to turn up at some point though, and it' good to have the info.

Best regards,
S

 

Blue Longines
6952 with a cool hacking feature

 

Well you could certainly refurbish it a bit by polishing the case maybe the crystal.. or just replace it but that would take more time and money and I don't know if you want that...

You should be able to find a better one for this price... maybe a maximum of 300$.

 

I think the present is shaping up to be a dive watch (I may have a hard time finding a PP-equivalent term).

Not a Longines dive watch though. A French brand will be preferable.

 

I've seen plenty of vintage diving watches from LIP and YEMA. Look them up. Plenty of interesting and affordable designs.

 

Thanks much, yes, I started looking at those currently on offer.
There are several other good brands thankfully, the French were pretty prolific as far as dive watches were concerned.
If anyone sees anything of interest that's located in the EU, thankful for a pm.

Best regards,
S

 

Something like.....?

 

Now, that's a blue dial that I'd take on a date 70s?