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Questionable Balaclava (Longines) from the Mint

DirtyDozen12
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Menta Watches is offering the watch below. My observations are as follows. Firstly, I noticed the hands. They are not Longines usual pencil hands but some sort of syringe style. I believe that they are incorrect, along with the seconds hand. Next, the numbers in the outer track do not look right, to my eyes. For example, compare the "3" of "30" and the "3" of "35". Both the style and execution are unfavorable. The crown has almost certainly been replaced. Then, looking at the movement, the condition does not match that of the dial's. There are scratches everywhere, the winding wheel is an odd color, the screw on the ratchet wheel looks too large, and an ominous, white dial foot is unashamedly exposed. What do you think?
www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Longines-Calatrava-Oversized-Wristwatch-no-chronograph-Cal-12-68-37mm-/201816804228?hash=item2efd380b84:g:lG0AAOSwOgdYoLKx
5.JPG 1.JPG
 
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LarryG
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I think you're far too exacting; I mean what do you expect for several thousand dollars?
I think you put calatrava along with oversize on a listing and watch fluffy and the other poodles jump all over each other despite some real- and to my eyes as well- obvious issues.
 
DirtyDozen12
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You're right, I'm not sure what got into me. It's a really cool, military-style, Calatrava for only a few thousand dollars. A couple of small issues are insignificant compared to the slew of likes that the buyer will surely receive on Instagram.
 
Tony C.
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I think that the dial is OK. Looks correctly aged, including the lume. My concerns would be the obvious replacement crown, and the hands, though not for the reason you suggest. I think that they are original, but have been relumed.
 
Rman
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The aging of the parts and dial is consistent to me too.
The second hand is slightly shorter that the minute hand which is slightly odd.
The inking of the minute track and logo is quite a different tone.

I'm on the fence about the dial and hands, the watch feels a little "wonky."
 
Larry S
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Hands don't look like they belong to this watch.
 
Tony C.
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a similar example...

LonginesMilitarySS.JPG
 
DirtyDozen12
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Key differences that distinguish QVT's watch from Menta's are the pencil-style hour/minute hands, typical seconds hand (note the difference), numerals in the minute track appear almost squashed (typical) as opposed to vertically elongated (odd), and a correct crown with fewer serrations. Oh and the dial foot sure ain't white.
 
DirtyDozen12
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A couple of other examples to consider. The first one, again, illustrates a typical handset. The second one, again, shows a typical minute track and seconds hand.
e3.JPG hmmmmm.JPG
 
Tony C.
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Re: the second example above

As the dial was not treated with luminous material. the hands probably are appropriate. The subject watch should have lume-filled hands, however.
 
DirtyDozen12
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Tony C. Tony C.
Re: the second example above

As the dial was not treated with luminous material. the hands probably are appropriate.
This example was meant to illustrate a more typical outer track and seconds hand.
Tony C. Tony C.
The subject watch should have lume-filled hands, however.
I would agree if we could be certain that the dial was originally luminous.
 
Warthog
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DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
Key differences that distinguish QVT's watch from Menta's are the pencil-style hour/minute hands, typical seconds hand (note the difference), numerals in the minute track appear almost squashed (typical) as opposed to vertically elongated (odd), and a correct crown with fewer serrations. Oh and the dial foot sure ain't white.
Couldn't agree more with you on the atypical hands and crown, not quite as sure on the minute track numerals. This accompanying
Longines HAND SHAPESChart.jpg
chart is helpful to me on hand choices.....
 
DirtyDozen12
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Warthog Warthog
Couldn't agree more with you on the atypical hands and crown, not quite as sure on the minute track numerals. This accompanying
Longines HAND SHAPESChart.jpg
chart is helpful to me on hand choices.....
Your input is appreciated. I have also found this chart useful in the past.
 
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