On another watch forum this has been posted up for sale for a reasonable price - apart from spotting on the dial, are there any other warning signs I should look out for? Seller has linked an image gallery along with an email from Longines identifying the watch. https://imgur.com/a/NWqDa#6lIAkEp
Oh my, @GuiltyBoomerang, what did you just do? You ought to look up recent threads using the word "calatrava" including this one: https://omegaforums.net/threads/im-going-to-ban-the-word-calatrava-from-the-longines-forum.43514/ It's a nice watch, it's been on sale for a few weeks-- but I worried the hands could be a replacement because the minute hand overshoots the minute track. Not sure how rigid we should be with these things. wonder what others think. The dual tone dial is quite pretty and the price is in fact not bad IIRC (could perhaps be negotiated?).
Oh gawd, woops. Forgot about that thread, it's been a long time since I regularly posted... The price is quite good, and I'm tempted to send an offer through later in the week if it doesn't get snapped up beforehand. As for the hands, I've seen some Longines with hands that fit in: As well as one where it did overshoot: The plot thickens!
The first photo is interesting. The second one is not dispositive as the Longines logo looks questionable (too thick and inky it seems), leading to wonder if it could be an old redial (although a pretty good looking one). On third one the hand does not overshoot, it lands exactly where it should on the minute index track. Again, this is beyond my comfort level.
Actually, I just went back to my records-- as of July 18 this watch was offered for 650 euros, quite expensive for a 31mm watch. (And I had consulted with a Longines collector pal as I was also thinking of buying it-- he didn't pick up on the hands but he thought it was overpriced relative to the size...). Now perhaps the seller would negotiate? He already came down from 750.
The hands look fine to me. It's a nice piece depending on the price. The second example and the sei tacche in the first photo are both redials.
Thank you for the advice! I've worked out a deal with the seller, so this one should be coming in the next couple of weeks.
The watch arrived today! Shiny caseback, some minor scratches... Side view. Lugs are sharp. Some scratches on the crystal, really only noticeable under light. A very pretty and aged dial, and those hands are perfection. Edges overall remain sharp and pointy. Inside caseback. Only looked at this quickly but appears to not have any service marks. Movement dating from 1947. A lot of dirt noticeable. Still, a beautiful 10.68z, especially with the Cote de Geneve. Comparison between my earlier Longines and this one. The Automatic has 18mm lugs while this has 16mm. It wears bigger than it looks though! A comparison with a watch with similar hands, also 16mm lugs. The Longines has springbars while the Astin is fixed lug. On the wrist for a sunny day!