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Seeking Input for Longines 9ct Gold Cal 12.68z

  1. magix114 Sep 25, 2020

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    Hi OF,

    I always wanted to own a gold vintage Longines then I came across with this from the bay.
    Some info for the seller:

    Case: .375 9ct gold case by Baume (UK) with light surface marks
    Case diameter: 34mm
    Case depth: 10mm
    Lug to lug: 17mm
    Movement: Longines inhouse cal 12.68z manual wind
    Crown: Slight discoloration due to thinning of gold plating
    Dial: Original dial with patina and blister mark
    Crystal: Acrylic
    Strap & Buckle: Generic
    Box: Period matched retailer packaging
    Asking price: Euro 450

    Wanted to seek advice from experts & enthusiasts in OF whether this is a good purchase:

    1) My budget is around the asking price. So is this consider fairly priced or I actually can get a better one?
    2) Is the movement reliable? Anyone could please share some story & history of the reference and movement. Seems couldnt find any history regarding this from the sticky thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/longines-vintage-automatics.411/
    3) Condition acceptable judging from picture?
    4) Wanted to get a period matched buckle. Serial number dated back in 1952. Anyone has an idea where could I get the buckle? How does it look like?

    Happy to hear from all of you!
     
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    Larry S and BlueHands like this.
  2. joeshoup Sep 25, 2020

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    I had a similar reference in steel from the later 1950s (now on my brother in law's wrist) and I found it to be a very reliable and enjoyable watch. I paid about the same as you are considering, about two years ago. Love the movement and it has a good reputation (and was used forever!) You probably didn't find it on the Longines automatics thread because, well... It's not an automatic!

    I have questions about the crown, which looks to have a slightly different shade of gold, and about the subseconds dial, which looks a bit off, maybe repainted, and has west from an incorrectly set hand. Case looks good to me. I don't like the dialpatina, but you might! That is a very personal issue...

    Several Longines with this movement have been posted for sale here this month at similar prices, and they were much more interesting to my eye. I personally think you can do better! More experienced members please chime in!

    Here's my former friend, I still have visitation rights:

    IMG_20190916_171812.jpg
     
    Elitr6 likes this.
  3. Kbjohn Sep 25, 2020

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    The dial on the OP’s watch is original (second post is redone). As for dial condition, it’s a personal thing. The price is pretty low for a solid gold Longines, even if it isn’t Swiss cased.

    The calibre 12.68 is one of Longines most reliable and well regarded movements. Made for decades, serviceable and accurate.

    Crowns generally I think of as pretty irrelevant. They are a service item.

    In my experience, finding a solid gold, 1950’s Longines buckle might set you back a similar amount to the watch. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the strap and buckle on this watch were early, they look very old.
     
  4. size11s Can’t bat, can’t bowl Sep 25, 2020

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    It should be noted that this case has fixed strap bars, hence the open ended strap, so replacement strap choices are quite limited. Personally, I quite like it, interesting Baume case and it's an OK price I think.
     
  5. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Sep 25, 2020

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    This is a nice piece. Dial is original, in good condition, and an attractive design. All hands look fine too. Case is also a nice design. On some models, original crowns are more important (waterproof cases). In this case, the crown fits the design so I am not bothered about whether it is strictly correct or not. The movement is in typical, gilded finish for the UK market. The caliber 12.68Z was first produced in 1929 and continued to be used into the 1960s. It is a very well made movement with a relatively large balance wheel, no wire springs, and a generally robust construction. Though prevalent, it is really an exceptional movement in terms of quality. Price for this one is fair. Finding an original buckle will be tough, but there's no rush.
     
    Larry S likes this.
  6. magix114 Sep 25, 2020

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    Is it considered a solid gold? Seller told me it's a 9ct gold. How do we define solid gold? 18ct? Appreciate your input on this :)

    Wow. Thanks for highlighting that out. Now I have another trouble to source for strap changeability. I will confirm again with the seller whether is it a fixed bar lug.

    Thanks for input!
     
  7. Zapatta Sep 26, 2020

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    I would go for it without hesitation! :thumbsup:
     
    magix114 likes this.
  8. Zapatta Sep 26, 2020

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    Regarding the strap, plenty of options on ebay (type open ended watch strap)
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382432456299Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
    Screenshot_20200926_194350.jpg
     
  9. Dan S Sep 26, 2020

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    I really like it. :thumbsup: Look at those diamond markers. Beautiful case. Amazing clean gold-plated movement. Yeah, the dial has measles, but still, it's an appealing watch.

    If you could find a way to disinfect the strap, maybe you could continue to use it. It's awesome. If not, Hirsch sells nice 17mm straps for fixed lug bars.
     
    Edited Sep 26, 2020
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  10. magix114 Sep 27, 2020

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    I came across this too. Apparently I need to glue the open loop and hence restricted the strap interchangeability. Anyone tried before some kind of "clip system"?
     
  11. amcclell Sep 27, 2020

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    Even patina with nice diamond hour markers, a clean looking movement and nice 9k case. This would also look nice on a leather nato. What are you waiting for?
     
  12. magix114 Oct 5, 2020

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    Item is on the way to my hand! Can't wait for the delivery.

    On a side note, would like to ask how does a period-matched Longines gold buckle supposed to look like? With what kind of Longines logo? This watch serial number dated in 1952, but the "Longines" on the dial is different from the Longines logo history archive.
     
    longines-logo.jpg
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  13. Radiumpassion Oct 5, 2020

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    Baume supplied their own 9ct buckles for these watches. They are pretty hard to come by....

    D4204807-2560-4BCD-AA62-3700EF223C1D.png
     
    Tony C., magix114 and DirtyDozen12 like this.
  14. magix114 Oct 5, 2020

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    Wonderful. It's not Longines signed isnt it?
     
  15. Radiumpassion Oct 5, 2020

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    No, not Longines signed.
     
  16. magix114 Oct 17, 2020

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    Finally got it on wrist today. Crown seems like a replacement. Extremely difficult to pull out to the extent my fingernail nearly cracked
     
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  17. size11s Can’t bat, can’t bowl Oct 17, 2020

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    Looks great, and bigger than 34mm. I would get it serviced pronto if you are going to keep it. Are you happy with it?
     
    magix114 likes this.
  18. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Oct 17, 2020

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    It’s beautiful. Get it serviced.
     
    magix114 likes this.
  19. eternalover Oct 21, 2020

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    Can anyone help with this one? About £280 on U.K. eBay charity website
    upload_2020-10-21_12-58-42.jpeg
    LONGINES .375 9ct YELLOW GOLD Case Vintage Mechanical Wristwatch - P33 upload_2020-10-21_12-59-44.jpeg

    might just change the strap but not sure if it is a 30mm watch - site says approx 3cm

     
  20. DirtyDozen12 Thanks, mystery donor! Oct 21, 2020

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    Looks good and price is fair. Watch is greater than 30 mm since movement (cal. 30L) is that size.
     
    eternalover likes this.