Ref 4638 with the cal 12.68z. Sharp 37.5mm oversized case. Originally invoiced to Ostersetzer (Italy) in 1941.

 

1970 Longines Skin Diver Ref.8248-1, cal. 505

 

Calibre 340 around 1963 . Anyone know the model number?

 

My only one, the Silver Arrow reissue. Maybe due to a very short production run, it doesn't seem to get too much press.

 

A very handsome watch with elegant clean lines. I wonder if the 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow was the namesake for the Longines Silver Arrow?

 

I have not got the new crown, but i did replace the crystal. The photos never look as good to me.

 

Longines is such a great brand...

 

I don't know the answer but for what it's worth Longines Silver Arrow was Longines' first named model - in 1954. Source: Stéphanie Lachat's recent book:

 

Syrte, thanks for the Longines history fun fact. I have been meaning to buy Lachat's book....top of today's "to do" list, right after my second cup of coffee.

There has always been a strong connection between watches and automobiles -- e.g., racing-timing, precision performance oriented engineering, etc. In the pre-Longines Silver Arrow automotive world, "Silver Arrow" is the namesake of 2-3 iconic achievements. The first was the 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow referenced in my original post. The design aesthetic of the Pierce Silver Arrow is an industrial design milestone.

"Silver Arrow" is also the name popularly used to reference Mercedes-Benz legendary Grand Prix race cars between 1934 and 1939. Mercedes-Benz Formula One race cars in 1954 and 1955 were also known as Silver Arrows. Longines' use of the Silver Arrow name in 1954 is perhaps a reference to the Mercedes-Benz racers?

Omega Forum "fun fact".....the in-house designation for the Mercedes-Benz 1938-1939 Silver Arrow Grand Prix race cars was "W154". An Omega Forum member uses "w154" as his OF name and a picture of a Silver Arrow as his avatar.

 

Nice watch @sah

Love those faceted hour numerals

Here is my circa 1962 cal 280

 

I just received this through the post, what on earth have I bought ? First thought was ‘old watch new case and strap’, but the movement looks as good as new. I was surprised to seee Longines on the case back. Bracelet unremarkable but honest. But she works (it’s a ladies) and has a shed load of character so I’m happy. Would be nice to solv the phirensic mystery, let me know if you recognise it or any part of it.

 

Thanks for the explanation - I know nothing about cars but those certainly look cool.
And I always wondered what @w154 stood for so thanks for helping me solve that mystery

 

This is a Longines watch which the movement serial number indicates to be from around 1946. When you say it's a ladies watch, are you talking about a 25mm wide case? If so, then the caliber is probably a variant of the 8.68Z caliber ( or 8.68 ABC).
Could you clarify what you find mysterious ? If the dial is signed Longines (as appears from that odd background picture which looks to be on an I pad?), then a Longines case and a Longines movement have nothing surprising.

 

The movement looks like it has just come from the High Street today, with an aged dial attached ! The case is simple , the strap only says ss. Perhaps the owner just did a great job with it ! Nicely serviced then matching a case with modern strap. The movement looks to be 21mm ? Thanks you for those ref. Numbers, even the mighty google couldn’t help.

Wonderful knowledge and dedication to the forum , thanks Syrte

 

Pic

 

Guess the case protected the movement but dial varnishes are more fragile and more vulnerable to ageing, depending on humidity for example...
If you send pictures to Longines with the movement serial number and ask for an extract of archive they will confirm the caliber and tell you the date this watch was invoiced to the Longines distributor who sold it -- and in what country.

 

Great tip, thank you, merci beaucoup , a la prochain