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Thoughts on this rare? 30L

  1. Rochete

    Rochete Oct 1, 2019

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    I'd like to share with you this Longines 30L and hear your thoughts/feelings about it. I bought it about three years ago. I've never seen another one like this, not in person or in google. Serial number indicates 1961. My questions would be:

    Dial: Seller disclosed nothing. It has a beautiful "créme-brülée" even patina, not as white as in picture. It looks genuinely vintage as per appearance. I didn't thought of anything off at first but then I wondered about lack of "Swiss made". I may be missing other things as well.

    Case: I have never seen this reference again. Diametre is a jumbo 37mm. I have never seen this 2-metals cases in any other Longines of the time. It looks a lot like Omega "gold capped", with bezel and top of lugs in rose gold and rest in SS. I have no idea of the real composition of this case. Anyone does? I have looked at longines30l.com and there is nothing like this in his collection.

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  2. Radiumpassion

    Radiumpassion Oct 1, 2019

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    What does Longines say?
     
  3. Rochete

    Rochete Oct 1, 2019

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    I haven't asked Longines. I'm currently interested in what members here would say, as my questions are well beyond what an extract would provide.
     
  4. Radiumpassion

    Radiumpassion Oct 1, 2019

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    Well, they could possibly provide you with a ref number and told you
    witch market it was made for.Things that can narrow down your search.

    Here is my 30L, also early 1960s. Delivered to Norway:)

    9588664C-B54C-48A2-8709-167A2DC24247.jpeg
     
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  5. gatorcpa Ω 2

    gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Oct 1, 2019

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    Here are my thoughts:

    1. It is a older redial. The logo looks a bit "off" on the font and there is no "Swiss" or "Swiss Made" at the bottom.
    2. Crown has been replaced. Should have a logo of some kind.
    3. It is likely not a US market model. This is a Swiss made case.
    4. If you were to provide these pictures to Longines, they would identify the case reference and let you know if a gold plated or capped version of Ref. 7151 existed in their catalog.

    Hope this helps,
    gatorcpa
     
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  6. Rochete

    Rochete Oct 1, 2019

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    Thanks.
    Isn't the case ref. 7175-1? I wonder what "245" means as well...
    It isn't plated, you can see the clear division between gold and steel at lugs. Looks like "capped" but I've never seen a similar one, have you? I wonder if bezel would be solid gold like Omega capped ones...

    Beautiful. I currently have two more 30L and one 302. Had more. I don't know of many other movements as beautiful as this one.
     
  7. gatorcpa Ω 2

    gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Oct 1, 2019

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    No. The “-1” is probably either a production run or batch number. Just means that the case was one of the earliest examples of that style.

    There are many, many watches that had gold plated case tops and steel case backs. Sometimes that was mentioned in the hallmark, sometimes not. I have seen a few (mostly JLC) that had solid gold case tops with steel backs as well.

    Only Longines will know for sure what types of cases were produced for Ref. 7151.
    gatorcpa
     
  8. Rochete

    Rochete Oct 1, 2019

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    But I don't get why you say 7151 when backcase says 7175 ::confused2::

    Yeah sure there are but by "similar" I meant a Longines of those years with 30L movement. It's a pet movement for me and I've searched them a lot. But yeah, I will ask for an extract and see what they say...
     
  9. gatorcpa Ω 2

    gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Oct 1, 2019

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    My mistake. Typo. Ref. 7175 is correct.

    BTW, here is a website just loaded with information on watches with the cal 30L and its derivatives.

    https://longines30l.com/wordpress/

    You might want to drop the owner an email and see what he has to say. He might know more than the Longines museum. ;)

    From what I can see, there were some gold-capped cases. All seem to be from the Longines Flagship model line.

    gatorcpa
     
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  10. Rochete

    Rochete Oct 6, 2019

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    Thank you. Yes, I know that site, mentioned it in OP. I checked it for this but must've missed something. I wrote already to Longines, let's see what they say. I'll do as you suggest and write longines30l.com guy too.