Longines Calatrava opinions

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

Dear all,

I LOVE 1930s and 1940s Omega and Longines, and in fact most luxury watches from this period.

Particularly those that had subsecond dials, were perhaps two tone, had large dials and maybe to top it off some kind of bauhaus font for the numbers. Oh and pontife hands, I can't forget those. I've seen some beautiful examples from Omega and Longines - like these:

W-745_Longines_Salmon_Jumbo_Dresswatch_01_2048x2048.jpg

Those are two slightly different but exquisite designs by two of my favourite brands, and I would love to own either. Whilst I wouldn't be prepared to pay the price this beautiful Longines sold for (Somewhere in the region of $5-6000) I could maybe go up to 2 or 3 perhaps?

This is where this little find came about - currently on Chrono24.

It sure isn't a pristine example like the one above, and is 35mm rather than 37.5mm and I know it doesn't have those hands that I adore, but I think it is a classy watch. I don't really know much about these watches though, and I thought that I could perhaps have some advice as to whether it is all original and good or bad value? It's listed at around $2200 and a link to it can be found here. https://www.chrono24.co.uk/longines...--id14347302.htm?checkoutId=2243292&showAll=1

I look forward to your thoughts.

Thank you,

Ollie 😀

gatorcpa · Apr 29, 2020

There is no such thing as a Longines Calatrava. That is a model of Patek Philippe only.

It’s like calling a Buick Reatta a “Corvette” because it also has only two seats.

But these are all very nice watches, even If the Omega has a refinished dial.

You have very good taste.
gatorcpa

DirtyDozen12 · Apr 29, 2020

Firstly, the pink dial on that Longines has been refinished. Additionally, the round hour hand and crown are not original. That watch is not worth $600 let alone $6000.

On the other hand, the second Longines with the silver dial is a nice example. The dial is original, as are the hands and the crown. The price is not inexpensive but in line with other dealers.

Lastly, I agree with @gatorcpa. Rather than referring to this watch as a Calatrava, I would suggest calling it a 1940's Longines 12.68Z.

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

DirtyDozen12
Firstly, the pink dial on that Longines has been refinished. Additionally, the round hour hand and crown are not original. That watch is not worth $600 let alone $6000.

On the other hand, the second Longines with the silver dial is a nice example. The dial is original, as are the hands and the crown. The price is not inexpensive but in line with other dealers.

Lastly, I agree with @gatorcpa. Rather than referring to this watch as a Calatrava, I would suggest calling it a 1940's Longines 12.68Z.

Very useful! Thank you 😀 Do you think it would be worth waiting for say an auction on ebay to get one cheaper?

bubba48 · Apr 29, 2020

Righr hands for the 2318

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

bubba48
Righr hands for the 2318

I've seen maybe 4 or 5 Omega 30T2s with Pontife hands, are they all incorrect, or is it just on this model above?

DirtyDozen12 · Apr 29, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
Very useful! Thank you 😀 Do you think it would be worth waiting for say an auction on ebay to get one cheaper?

Short answer, yes. Long answer, it depends. It may take a while for a similar example to show up on eBay. Furthermore, it may take even longer for one in comparable condition/state of originality. You also may not find one with the exact same dial, though this dial design is not rare. However, you will likely encounter something similar and it will almost surely cost less.

OllieOnTheRocks · Apr 29, 2020

DirtyDozen12
Short answer, yes. Long answer, it depends. It may take a while for a similar example to show up on eBay. Furthermore, it may take even longer for one in comparable condition/state of originality. You also may not find one with the exact same dial, though this dial design is not rare. However, you will likely encounter something similar and it will almost surely cost less.

Okay I'm not desperate, so I'll do an ebay search of Longines 12.68Z and save it, so I get notifications if they come up for sale 😀

STANDY · Apr 29, 2020

There is also the 8888 ( markers only but some have numbers )

SportChief · Apr 30, 2020

STANDY
There is also the 8888 ( markers only but some have numbers )

I really love the 8888, not the same style as a 40s watch (these were more 50s or 60s), but I think the most elegant dress watch design by Longines, or probably anyone else. So simple and well-balanced.

BlueHands · Apr 30, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
I've seen maybe 4 or 5 Omega 30T2s with Pontife hands, are they all incorrect, or is it just on this model above?

No, from the late 1930s up to the mid 40s there were several watches with Pontife Hands. They all had 30 T2-movements. The common combination was Pontife hands with roman numeral dials.

KingCrouchy · May 1, 2020

STANDY
There is also the 8888 ( markers only but some have numbers )

I'm still mad at myself because I screwed up the chance to buy a great example of a Ref.8888 for under 150. ::facepalm1::

USD. I really like the design.

OllieOnTheRocks · May 2, 2020

BlueHands
No, from the late 1930s up to the mid 40s there were several watches with Pontife Hands. They all had 30 T2-movements. The common combination was Pontife hands with roman numeral dials.

Good because I still want to get one! haha I was sure pontife hands were correct on some models 😀

STANDY
There is also the 8888 ( markers only but some have numbers )

Thanks for the suggestion but I think that's a bit too plain for me or just not for somehow - the movements look nice though 😀

Dms5150 · May 9, 2020

Hi there, you could also keep an eye out for a 37.5mm Longines 4915 tutone from 1947. I picked up this one (heavily patinaed though) for $650 from an antique store. The tones change depending on the angle of light. The hands are blue. Also it has fixed spring bars.

OllieOnTheRocks · May 9, 2020

Dms5150
Hi there, you could also keep an eye out for a 37.5mm Longines 4915 tutone from 1947. I picked up this one (heavily patinaed though) for $650 from an antique store. The tones change depending on the angle of light. The hands are blue. Also it has fixed spring bars.

Lovely watch there! Thanks for the suggestion 😀

BlueHands · May 10, 2020

Dms5150
I picked up this one (heavily patinaed though) for $650

This price for that watch is surprising, because of the big size case. Really good deal 👍

OllieOnTheRocks · May 10, 2020

Dms5150
Hi there, you could also keep an eye out for a 37.5mm Longines 4915 tutone from 1947. I picked up this one (heavily patinaed though) for $650 from an antique store. The tones change depending on the angle of light. The hands are blue. Also it has fixed spring bars.

I’m thinking you were pretty lucky there look at this one on chrono - I was thinking of getting one myself!

_awatchsnob_ · May 14, 2020

Tutone dial

Dms5150 · May 16, 2020

Yes lucky indeed! Remember that's AU money also so about $400 US. That one on chrono has been modified at some point to accept spring bars. My one still has the fixed bars, which is fine as Hirsch make a great open-ended strap for fixed bars. Lovely movement too.

Funny thing is I wouldnt sell it even for £3800. Its a fantastic watch. So thin and I love the tutone. It has a heavy patina though and the hour hand is incorrect. If anyone knows the code for the exact oversized blue leaf hands let me know!

OllieOnTheRocks

I’m thinking you were pretty lucky there look at this one on chrono - I was thinking of getting one myself!

Longines Calatrava opinions

OllieOnTheRocks

gatorcpa

DirtyDozen12

OllieOnTheRocks

bubba48

OllieOnTheRocks

DirtyDozen12

OllieOnTheRocks

STANDY

SportChief

BlueHands

KingCrouchy

OllieOnTheRocks

Dms5150

OllieOnTheRocks

BlueHands

OllieOnTheRocks

_awatchsnob_

Dms5150

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