Are Longines watches good?

Spruce

These Longines Heritage Conquest automatics are currently available new in the UK for £920. Mine are 35mm but they do larger. They’re great.

707mm2

Hi,
Also a Longines collector, while it is true that some vintage Longines watches were of superior finish, sometimes almost equal to PP or VC, keep in mind that these are quite rare samples... Omega and Rolex made A LOT of high grade chronometers, while any Longines chronometer made before the 1960s is extremely hard to find. If we stick to wristwatches, to my experience the vast majority of Longines made between 1930-1960 were of nicer finish than their Omega counterparts of similar price but still under Rolex, this last one competing only against its higher ends offerings. BUT in any case, a high quality vintage Longines does sell today for less than those two brands, but I feel it's getting everyday nearer to Omega !

Fritz

I would not rate Longines any lower than Omega,I have both old and new Longines watches and they are great.

They don't seem to get as much respect now as they did in the past but there was a time when they were considered as good as Omega and I have heard some people say they were better.

CHRONOZEN

Is right,Just to see the finition of the movement in the 40s,50s and in the 30s many GREATS ACTORS,POLITITIAN,PRESIDENT WEAR a LONGINES,This is my last find a LONGINES,cal 12.68z 35mm with ORIGINAL DIAL 3 COLORS silver,offwhite and beige,so she can rejoin the others 140,150,others LONGINES.

Modest_Proposal

I don't believe that dial is original. The color is off across the board. Also, the subdial is not typically a different color than the rest of the dial. Subdial looks flat (could be the photos?). Minute hand appears too short. And the way the 24 hour track encroaches the subdial is also very suspicious. It looks like the seconds track was printed right over the red numbers, blocking it out completely along the way. Which is not correct, imo. Also, there is the tell-tale sign that the case is not in perfect shape, but the dial is. If anyone else wants to join in, feel free. But I'm fairly confident.

CHRONOZEN

Is difficult to see the subdial is not flat and is like the last grey picture mine have the same circular graved circles,if you see the red is on the subdial and on the center dial,Is difficult to make great pictures for meand the movement and case is clean like in the 40s,I collect LONGINES since the 80s with arround 140 LONGINES,and tones of parts,case,dials,.....ect.Is why I can tel you is a really rare LONGINES with a FANTASTIQUE DIAL..Let me try to make better pictures today and I show you.

DirtyDozen12

Unfortunately, the dial of your watch is not original. There are many details that are anomalous and the probability of each one being correct compounds.

To start, the sub-dial is totally incorrect. The font of the numerals, the proximity of the track to the outer edge, the beige tone, the absence of circular engraving, If only one of these was off, that would be a different matter.

Next, there is the 24-hour scale. This feature is only found on certain Longines dials (see two examples below) and has been incorrectly executed on the dial in question. The old-style font is wrong, as is the strange interaction with sub-dial, and the bright red hue.

Next, there is the signature. The font is incorrect for an early 1940s dial. Though there are many correct fonts that were used, but the one shown lacks the style and distinctive serifs that are emblematic of original dials.

Next, there is the uncharacteristically coarse vertical brushing of the outer portion of the dial.

Next, there is the issue of the hands, which are too short. Either they are correct and the dial is mismatched, or they are replacements and an indication that the watch is not as unmolested as it appears to the untrained eye.

Finally, there is the condition of the movement. Below you will find a photo that shows scratched and worn bridges. This is not the expected state of a movement with a dial that is in as-new condition.

I remember seeing this watch on eBay from a familiar seller. The case is nice and large, which drove up the price. But, an original example would have likely sold for four times the price.

https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a525755/watches-you-should-know-longines-sei-tacche/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Military-Wristwatch-German-Army-Longines-Cal-12L-/184279354628

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LONGINES-WIND-UP-MEN-WATCH-/274604202199?hash=item3fefaf98d7:g:2roAAOSwuRxfzZ3c&nma=true&si=%2BQP%2F7deIqwSiAlQ7xmFxpeShBpQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

CHRONOZEN

first if you read correctly,my subdial as the correct circular engraving is why I put the subdial CERTINA mine have the same engraving is just I try many time but unfornatly my phone can make a correct pictures,I try tomorow ,and secondly I post arround 10 or more longines dial from the 40s with the same serif LONGINES I have.now is 2oclock morning,And I dont try to sold this watch is not for sale just keep on my LONGINES collection.

STANDY

The layout for the 24hr markers is just wrong compared to the examples @DirtyDozen12 has shown from the era the watch is from.

Also look at the 4 in 14 and 24

shishy

Those red 24 hour thingies are also seen in the Longines COSD (British issued), see https://www.lorologiese.com/blog/longines-cosd-2340/