Longines ref 3404

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ObrWatches

·Nov 9, 2023

Hello OF

I am looking to buy an 18k yellow gold Longines. But I'd love to hear your thoughts first.

To the watch:
Ref 3404
Material: 18k, strong hallmarks visible at the back of the lugs
Movement: Automatic caliber 340 / must be a chronometer according to the dial
Dial: The silver crosshair dial seems to be in great condition.
BUT, there are indices missing at 12,3,6 and 9. I couldnt find any other version with a crosshair and markers missing.
Case: has a weird spot on the caseback.

Of course id also be interested to hear your opinion on the value of this watch.
If this watch is legit, it must be rare to come across an 18k chronometer. So i am guessing its somewhere around USD 1800-2000.

Thanks for the help.

Best
Brian

 

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X350 XJR

·Nov 9, 2023·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Going to need much better photos to get any help, movement and inside case back a must for this sort of purchase as well.

Not aware of the cal 340 ever being chronometer rated.

Edited: Nov 9, 2023

 

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ObrWatches

·Nov 9, 2023

It is an auction and no better or other pictures are provided. But the quality is poor due to the upload on here somehow. Let me try it again…

I didnt find any evidence of a cal 340 being a chronometer either.

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

X350 XJR

Not aware of the cal 340 ever being chronometer rated.

Here is one that @Tony C. sold a few years ago.

Source: https://omegaforums.net/threads/sol...hip-chronometer-w-box-and-certificates.61050/

 

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Tony C.

·Nov 9, 2023·Ωf Jury member

What was I thinking? 😁

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

Tony C.

What was I thinking? 😁

A lapse as rare as the watch you let go!

 

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Deafboy

·Nov 9, 2023·His Holiness Puer Surdus

No seconds markers?...

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

Deafboy

No seconds markers?...

I think the absence is normal for this type of dial. Below is another example.

Source: https://www.retrowatchguy.com/products/sublime-minty-1966-longines-flagship

 

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X350 XJR

·Nov 9, 2023·Vintage Omega Aficionado

So what do we make of OPs watch with the limited photos provided?

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

I have not spent much time studying these Flagships. However, I do not see anything that looks obviously incorrect. The lugs look polished, but it is still an attractive example. I do not think that the chronometer designation adds a lot of value.

 

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Dan S

·Nov 9, 2023

Do we think that the watch originally had some sort of Flagship engraving on the back that has been polished away?

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

Dan S

Do we think that the watch originally had some sort of Flagship engraving on the back that has been polished away?

I don't think so. See another ref. 3404 with a similar case-back below.

Source: https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/...t-yellow-gold-35mm-long-lug-full-set.5147661/

 

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Dan S

·Nov 9, 2023

Oh, so it could have been a plain case-back made for personalized engravings. Mostly I see this type of caseback, but I guess that would require a lot of polishing.

Edited: Nov 9, 2023

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Nov 9, 2023·Thanks, mystery donor!

Dan S

Oh, so it could have been a plain case-back made for personalized engravings.

I believe so. I recall seeing this on other Longines.

 

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ObrWatches

·Nov 10, 2023

Thank you very much for all of your inputs.
So there‘s a good chance the watch is original, but its an uncommon configuration with
a plain caseback and crosshair dial.

On Tony‘s sold example there isnt any evidence on the movement that the watch was certified as chronometer right?

What are your guesses on the possible value of it?
So chronometer certification wont add a significant premium? (20%?) I read a nice thred here on OF regarding longines chronometers and their rarity.

 

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Tony C.

·Nov 10, 2023·Ωf Jury member

WatchHeaven44

On Tony‘s sold example there isnt any evidence on the movement that the watch was certified as chronometer right?

 

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ObrWatches

·Nov 10, 2023

Tony C.

Besides the certificate of course

 

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Tony C.

·Nov 10, 2023·Ωf Jury member

Huh? What more evidence would you expect, or require?

 

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Tony C.

·Nov 10, 2023·Ωf Jury member

Another example, with date...

 

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ObrWatches

·Nov 10, 2023

Tony C.

Huh? What more evidence would you expect, or require?

Maybe an indication on the rotor or is this just an omega thing?