I'm being offered a LLD 19AS 7042-2 with a serial number commencing 1100.
It's more than twice the price of any wristwatch I've ever bought, so I want to be little cautious.

Does anyone know anything about the 19AS, and why it was (I think) replaced by the 290(?).
What is the significance of 7042-2?
I'm sure I've seen a 7041 or 7042-1 with a higher serial number.

It seems to be all original (save the strap).

 

pics please!!

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Photos would be great!

Someone will come along to answer your questions and perhaps inform us more about the introduction of the 290. I'll say that the 19AS movement in this 1954 Longines has been a well-mannered, trouble-free, and accurate movement for the 15 or so years I've had it.

 

I think jelly is talking about an original Legend Diver:

 

Yep, it's that one.
Your hands are much cleaner.
I was being offered one for £6,500 (currently about $8,000) and was wondering if it could possibly be worth that much.

 

Yep

 

Is the 19AS movement in the diver different than the one in the dress watch?

 

I believe it's the same 19AS movement, can't remember ever reading about them modifying it just for the diver. Here is a great run down by the venerable @ulackfocus on all the Longines vintage automatics, as well as comparisons on the progression:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/longines-vintage-automatics.411/

 

It's the same.

I was hunting a later model LLD with the caliber 290 inside back when I was absorbed in the game.

 

Oops, glanced over that question too fast and somehow misread it. Edited my post to cover my temporary lack of reading comprehension.

 

Here some details about this watch and his evolution from last '50:

1958-61 - Cal.19AS and 29AS, ref.7042-1/2/3/4, matt Radium dial with full lume hours hand, diamond ring index, printed "SWISS". Low crowns, 100mt. water-proof.

1961-62 - Cal.290 ref. 7150-1 , Radium dial with full lume hours hand, glossy dial with electroplating gold graphics, printed "SWISS MADE". Low crows and from now 200mt. water-proof.

1962-64 - Cal.290 ref. 7150-2/3, Tritium dial with luminescent rumbling hours hand, thick crowns, matt or glossy galvanic dial, gold graphics and from now printed "T SWISS MADE T" (Tritium).

1964-65 - Cal.290 ref. 7494-1/2, Tritium luminescent dial and hands, rhomboid hours hand, thick crowns, matt or glossy galvanic dial with gold graphics.

1965-69 - Cal.290 ref. 7594-1/2/3, Tritium luminescent dial and hands, rhomboid hours hand, thick crowns, matt or glossy galvanic dial with gold graphics.

Longines Calibre 19AS automatic without inverters, 18.000 alternations / hour and indirect center seconds, diameter 25.3 mm. and height 6 mm. The charging movement was devoid of inverters but with a train of ratchets, probably a patent of the same Longines, which allowed the charging of the barrel in both directions of rotation of the winding rotor.

New automatic movement cal. 290 with inverters. slightly larger diameter and different rotor shape. Produced from 1958, 19800 alternations / hour, automatic center seconds, this time direct, 26mm diameter., Height 6 mm.

From what I could remember the reference numbers it was to indicate the type of case.

Max

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