Hello to everyone, Have been lurking here for a few weeks, I like the fact this forum seems less crowded than big mass ones. My interest in vintage watches is relatively new, I'm a woman and have other "ornament" options -- but I've always liked the beauty of mechanical watch movements and I like the history of vintage watches. I like the 1940s Longines "tre tacche" watches with their stepped steel case, and wonder how rare it is to find one with a 12.68N movement such as the one below: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/VDUAAOSw14xWItoe/s-l1600.jpg I really like those gilt 12.68 movements, but I seem to have read those smaller "tre tacche" (31mm) watches more often come with 10L calibers. Any thoughts on the matter? Thanks for your guidance and best regards, S.
Hi S. You could always buy a man's watch since they were usually smaller than 36mm during that period. Nothing wrong with that! Case size will dictate the dimensions of the caliber. If the case is 31 mm wide, you'd have to subtract 2 or 3 mm for the walls (meaning 4 to 6 mm for each side) leaving only 25 to 27 mm width maximum for the movement.
Hello, I believe that the medium (~32mm) and large (35mm) tre tacche Longines came with the caliber 12.68 whereas the smaller (~30mm) variety came with the caliber 10.68, as you mentioned. I have found that the smallest size is the most common and that the medium and (especially) the large varieties are in higher demand. Here is an invaluable resource: http://www.longinespassion.it/Longines_Passion/Tre_tacche.html The tre tacche you linked is quite beautiful and the caliber 12.68N definitely adds to its intrigue. Longines is a great place to enter the vintage watch realm if history and movements are of interest. This is my first tre tacche, with a caliber 10.68N, from 1941.
welcome to the forum. i have an omega ladies watch. its almost too small to work on -- i guess biger is better. vinn
Thanks so much gents, really like the ones you posted too. "Guilty" pleasure to be sure. Is the 10.68 also guilt? Sadly that nice one with the 12.68N came into my reach but I ignored it at the time -- even though I noticed how nice it looked. Guess that's what happens to newbies. Best regards, S.