Don't tell those non-Longines lovers on the other subforums, but things are getting out of whack in my watchbox. Used to have more Omegas than Longines or any other brand, but that's changed. The mission has been back on recently, albeit a little hampered because of diverting would-be watch funds to the home improvement kitty. Out of 27 possible automatic caliber variations made by Longines from their first at the end of WWII to the quartz revolution, I now have 11. I might tack on the 3 from the mid 70's too at a later point. Enough chatter - on to the pictures! Gotta start with a bang - a 1960 18ct Conquest 9025-2 caliber 291. If you want to know how important I consider this watch, take a look at how many times I wear it. Or should I say the lack of wrist time it gets. Yep, no issues strapping on the 2799, but this watch in this condition doesn't pop up all that often. Here's a correct franken of a 1953 14ct 2033 caliber 23Z. This dial was on a different 23Z, and was mated to the 23Z that came with this case. Special thanks to Norm / X350 XJR for doing extra for a customer. Although I prefer solid gold, this gold filled caliber 285 Flagship had such a nice dial it was a compulsory purchase. Don't know the inner details yet. Date at 12's trip my trigger. Like the Conquest above, this 1961 18ct Flagship 3408 caliber 341 was only offered with this date location for about a year. Haven't worn it in a while so expect to see it soon in the WRUW thread. On the left is a 1961 gold filled Admiral 69-240 caliber 350. Another watch bought because the dial is so damn pretty. On the right is a very uncommon (I've only seen 3 others, one being a redial) 1966 14ct Admiral Pulsation 69-384A caliber 342. Besides being a birthyear watch for me, it also came with all the documents and the inner & outer box. Dumb lucked into this courtesy of danomar. He gets the credit for the hunting; all I did was vet it and paid him for it when he decided it wasn't for him. Very few non-gold pieces in this post, and this 1964 stainless 8888-28 caliber 30L is the best of them. C-cases rule! On the left is a scarce 36K bph 1970 18ct Ultra-Chron 8382A caliber 431. On the right is an uncommon chronometer verison of the slowed down version of the 431 - a 28.8K bph 1973 ss Ultra-Chron 8355-3 caliber 6651. This is one I plan on upgrading...... as soon as Norm decides to let go of the near mint example he has. ( hint, hint ) It's a 1950 14ct Anniversary Automatic 2674 caliber 22A - the first automatic Longines issued. These spider web dials usually come in gold filled cases so I had to go for the less common stainless version. This one is a 1959 ss 1067 caliber 19A. I feel sorry for this watch. Before the AT, this watch split the wrist time for blue dial watches with the Portofino. It could be worse - I could have sold it. It's a 1973 ss Admiral 2304-2 caliber 6952. It's got an interesting hack feature. When you pull the crown, the second hand runs until it hits the 12 and stops. Oh look - another gold watch with a black strap! This is a 1960 14ct Admiral 1094 caliber 340. Dig those propeller hands with the black inserts! Can't seem to get a picture that does this dial or lugs justice. Here's a 1950 14ct Automatic A 5022 caliber 22AS - the sister movement to the 22A, but with center sweep seconds. Gotta cajole Lou into selling me his manual wind 22L so I can have the trifecta of 22 series calibers. My pimp watch as Ashley calls it. 1966 14ct Diamond Dynasty 2770 caliber 370 - a birth year watch I bought on my birthday as my own birthday present (Windy really made out that day - I got ripped off! ). I'm pretty sure this was my first solid gold Longines. Concluding with the reason I want a Legend Diver with a 290. This is a 1958 14ct Summit 2343 hidden crown caliber 19AS with a great dial and markers. I don't think I could part with this watch as the 19AS representitive. And yes, it's black & gold. That covers it.... for now. I know I mentioned Norm & Lou, but let me add Tony C to the list of members I'm gonna nag to sell me one of their Longines. His Flagship chronometer is sweet! If anybody comes across a Conquest Power Reserve caliber 294, particularly in 18ct, let me know. Questions, comments, and critiques are welcome!
Nice collection ! I wanted to ask you something. Here in Belgium we rarely have 14 K gold. When you say 14 k gold, is the case a Swiss case or American one like for Omegas. Did Longines make American cases ?
It's an American made case, done to specs according to Longines. K&E (Keuffel & Esser), Star, and several other contractors made them and sent them to the NY Longines-Wittnauer plant, where the movement/dial/hands were installed. These movements were marked with the import code LXW. Longines, like Omega and several other brands, were getting around the import tax on precious metal and jewels. VC and JLC used Longines' set-up to send their movements to be housed in US cases, creating the LeCoultre brand with it's own separate sales force.
Really nice, eclectic collection, Dennis. I particularly like the 3408. It exudes class, and is very evocative of the period during which it was made.
Very nice collection. Some real gems in there. Particularly like the first 18k Conquest and the 18k Flagship. Beautiful!
You must have ESPN tuned in. I took a hard look at a really nice 30CH but decided not to drain the home improvement fund to get it. Check the recommended eBay thread for Longines.
Saw that. Was even tempted to put in a bid since you weren't bidding. But I had wanted the big eye diver for my 30CH and also a mundane life without the life-threatening stare from the wife.
That scalloped crown is a real value booster. They often snagged and broke off, and were replaced with the serrated crown like you see on most of the Admirals above. Yeah, it was my favorite for many years until the Centenary. The only issue I have with it is the caseback has a bubble shape making it sit higher on the wrist than the average dress watch from that era. That happens to be precisely why I like the Centenary - a flatter back making it wear nearly perfect on me.