Longines Manual Watch 17J 280 ref. 1083 1962

Posts
4,559
Likes
11,610
It's a solid watch. This seller has had many watches recommended on the bargain thread, and I have never heard any complaints about him. I have never personally bought from him.

If you like the watch throw him an offer.
 
Posts
46
Likes
40
The seller declined my $350 offer; stating it has been recently serviced by their in-house watchmaker. Based on the experience on this forum, is the watch generically worth full price?
 
Posts
4,559
Likes
11,610
I do remember seeing this watch on ebay a while ago. It was probably several months, so that gives you some information.

Here is a good comp: https://omegaforums.net/threads/beautiful-1967-longines-dress-watch-ref-7839-ss-case-cal-284.165430/
No Mercy generally prices things fairly (IMHO), but you will have to see how fast it sells, to determine how good the price is.

The difference is the service. There is a lot of variability in the quality and price of service. A basic service on a manual wind watch can cost $125 - $250.

The only other thing is that would bother me is the ebay watch has one of those generic crystals with a sharp corner in the profile. It is more cylindrical rather than domed. The picture below shows the difference in the crystals of the two watches. I am not sure how easily a crystal can be sourced, but it is something to be dealt with if it bothers you.


 
Posts
46
Likes
40
Wow...Perfect illustration of what I'm not catching. In the end, I suppose if I like the watch, issues like this could be addressed at its next service in 3 years.
 
Posts
20,270
Likes
46,969
I would say that the watch @No Mercy sold is more collectible because it's all Swiss. As opposed to the US-cased eBay watch. However, the eBay watch has a nicer dial with applied logo. If you like it, the price isn't crazy assuming it was serviced well, but it's not a bargain, especially after shipping and taxes. Just depends how much you like it compared to other options that are out there.
 
Posts
216
Likes
1,934
Stem looks bent to me because the crown is not sitting square to the case. I feel like a service would have replaced a bent stem, yah? Or perhaps it is just photo distortion.
 
Posts
4,559
Likes
11,610
Stem looks bent to me because the crown is not sitting square to the case. I feel like a service would have replaced a bent stem, yah? Or perhaps it is just photo distortion.

I agree. Good catch:
 
Posts
46
Likes
40
Well, after reading the various posts, I inquired about the crystal and the crown. Here is the response; any thoughts?

"This has a one piece case and a split stem. None of these three pieces is bent or damaged. The crystal is correct for this watch. Also, this watch opens through the crystal using an Allproof 1200 wrench which requires a shouldered crystal as this has...a domed crystal with no should would not work."
 
Posts
7,600
Likes
21,797
@No Mercy ’s watch still appears to be available- unless I’m missing something. It’s not marked as sold and was listed barely 24 hours ago.
Otherwise there was a nice Eterna chronometer which @hejsam recently listed, but it’s now OHPF.
Edited:
 
Posts
4,559
Likes
11,610
Well, after reading the various posts, I inquired about the crystal and the crown. Here is the response; any thoughts?

"This has a one piece case and a split stem. None of these three pieces is bent or damaged. The crystal is correct for this watch. Also, this watch opens through the crystal using an Allproof 1200 wrench which requires a shouldered crystal as this has...a domed crystal with no should would not work."

It still looks like the crown is every so slightly off kilter, but that may just be an illusion. It is certainly is not significant and should not effect the functionality. I am not familiar enough with this particular case to say that the crystal has to be this shape. There are plenty of 60s era Seamasters that open through the face, and still have a nice domed crystal. I believe that the crystal is a correct fit for the case, but I don't think it is an OEM replacement. Perhaps others will weigh in.
 
Posts
20,270
Likes
46,969
I'm just going to say that if the forum collective looks closely enough at any watch, people are bound to mention some things, some correct, some incorrect - some significant, some insignificant. Ultimately, you need to use your own judgement and exercise your discretion. Don't get too hung up on minor things.