Hi guys,

My search for an affordable do-it-all everyday wearer culminated in my purchasing a (new) 39mm Longines Conquest 300m a while back. While I wasn't necessarily in love with the watch from pictures, it seemed to me the most practical choice at the moment. Since receiving the watch, however, I have fallen in love not only with it, but with Longines as a brand, and so I had to have a vintage Longines next.

My eye fell on the following model. I'm a sucker for these sort of military-style field watches, and despite noticing that the crown and crystal are aftermarket and the case has been heavily re-polished, I decided to take the plunge and make an offer. My offer accepted, the watch is now on its way to me.






What is your opinion on the condition of the dial? Either very well preserved or (more likely) a redial, I thought, but I liked it so much and I think that if the dial is redone it is done satisfactorily well, that I went ahead and bought it anyway



Oh, and I'm also new to this (sub)forum. Happy to be here.



Cheers!

 

I would try to change that crown, which looks out of place. It looks like a good quality vintage redial to me. One give away sign is the printing of the sunken sub-dial that is not centered. Wear it in good health!

 

Yea, noticed the unbalanced sub dial as well. The crown appears indeed much lighter in color than the rest. These are the seller pics, need to wait till it comes in and have a look at the thing myself. But I liked it too much to pass up. Reminds me a little of the (original) arctic explorer as well. Thanks!

 

Misaligned subdial printing is okay. However, the curved "4" is atypical and potentially worrying. Also, the spacing of the numbers in the subdial is quite inconsistent. I would need clearer photos (movement as well) to be certain. Here is another misaligned subdial for posterity.

 

Cheers @DirtyDozen12. Once it arrives I'll post my own, more detailed photos.

Lovely "Special", by the way. Yours?

 

Unfortunately not.

 

Hadn't noticed that curved 4 yet, indeed. What do you make of these specimiens? Found with google:

 

This one is interesting because the case is marked "MN" (Marine Nationale) and the usual "Fab. Suisse" is absent from the dial. This strongly suggests that the dial is not original to the watch.

As for the dial's originality, it is difficult to assess based on the small images available. The signature and minute track are well done. The white hands, however, are almost certainly an aftermarket job; they should be silver. Here is a grey/black dial example, from the same era, that I own.

 

Despite the wonky subdial, this looks original to me.

 

Here is another "Special" with a wonky subdial.

 

Here is another curved "4" in the WRUW thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/wruw-today.567/page-2352#post-482363

I do not think that all curved fours are incorrect but rather that they are less prevalent and seemingly favored by dial re-finishers.

 

Very interesting! Many thanks for all this. Seems then that my 'sei tacche' could go either way then. Even more curious now for it to arrive. Cheers!

 

So it came in.. but unlike the advertised 32mm it turns out to be a 30mm version. I always figured 32mm to be the absolute minimum (though I have fairly small wrists, 6.5 inch). Now the big question: return or buy a bund and live with it?

 

Request a discount and rest easy both ways?

 

^Hadn't thought of that. Could work I suppose. But I already have my eyes on another vintage Longines, figured a bit of funds freed up would help... The complication is that I contacted the seller about this since yesterday morning (when I received the watch) and despite normally being fairly responsive, they have not responded anymore so far.

We'll see! I guess I could always sell it.

 

What do you mean by "wonky"? Looks original to me....

 

I think he meant, original despite looking wonky

 

Agreed. I meant that the numerals are different sizes and not all aligned. Notice the 10 vs. the 20.

 

P

If you can return for a refund I would suggest you do. A 2mm difference in the diameter of a watch is a very highly significant one. You will end up finding others you prefer and may have a hard time reselling it because of its small size, and because it's a redial. Keep your ressources for something that makes you really happy and that's really what you were hoping for.

 

I am still not certain that it is a a redial however the smaller size, replacement crown, and polished case are not favourable.