Longines 12L - what can you say?

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konung39

·Jul 27, 2024

Hello everyone, have a nice time of day!
I came across a watch like this on sale, offering it for about $170. Are they worth the money? I see a problem with the dial and the middle part of the case is also peeling. At first glance, the mechanism is not bad, the seller writes that it has been serviced.
The bridge says 12L
Under balance 12.68N

 

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X350 XJR

·Jul 27, 2024·Vintage Omega Aficionado

This one really doesn't have anything good to say about it even if it were only $70.

 

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Deafboy

·Jul 27, 2024·His Holiness Puer Surdus

Chrome plated cases often don’t age gracefully.

 

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gilb12

·Jul 27, 2024

I'd skip this... The case is basically dead...

 

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Dan S

·Jul 27, 2024

The case and dial are both badly damaged, so most people would choose to put their money towards a better example. I'm a bit skeptical that someone would have actually paid to have this poor watch serviced, and is then selling it for $170. Also, make sure that you know the size of the case, since some watches from this era are very small.

 

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BlueHands

·Jul 28, 2024

This is around 32 mm. Bezel and caseback are stainless steel, the midcase some kind of chromed alloy. Hands and crown are original.
These watches are not quite rare so have a look around for a better example.

 

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konung39

·Jul 28, 2024

Dan S

The case and dial are both badly damaged, so most people would choose to put their money towards a better example. I'm a bit skeptical that someone would have actually paid to have this poor watch serviced, and is then selling it for $170. Also, make sure that you know the size of the case, since some watches from this era are very small.

34mm, but I skip it... thanks!

 

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J_pilot

·Oct 30, 2024

Not to revive this thread from the dead, but if anyone has one of these crowns kicking around, let me know!

 

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Deafboy

·Oct 31, 2024·His Holiness Puer Surdus

In the USA, I found original crown and crystal for late 1950’s Longines at Ofrei.com. Their website isn’t complete though, so you need to phone them and ask.

Edited: Nov 1, 2024

 

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J_pilot

·Nov 1, 2024

Thank you! I’ve found that suppliers generally have a harder time identifying these earlier and unsigned Longines crowns, but given that these are relatively common, it’s well worth a try!

Juergen