Longines ref 6691. From what I've seen of these, they were only sent to the Spanish market around 1955. Oversized (~38mm) Swiss made 18k case, hobnail dial, chronometer 30L movement. Literally cannot wait to get my hands on it.
Its crazy how affordable stuff like this still is just because the name on the dial isn't one of the usual suspects
The great 30L movement, 18kt gold case, neato hobnail dial for interest, and Longines? What's not to like?!!! Can't wait for your photos of it!
If the masses ever catch on I'd be priced out of the market. Wonder if the trend toward stainless sport watches has made it a little easier to find good deals in the gold dress world though? Just less competition, if nothing else.
I'd say yes ... that's why I've been buying clean old dress chronographs when I can. Still pricey but not in crazy land. Three hand watches are still a super bargain. Oversize however ... this is just stunning! Will appreciate for sure.
She's rose gold! Shame about the small dent to the case. Anything to be done, or just love her as she is?
Well, in line with the examples from Longines30L.com, this is a non-certified chronometer 30L invoiced to Spanish agent Girod in 1956. To me, this raises some interesting questions: 1. Every 6691 I've seen was sent to Spain. Were these a special order from Girod or just a regular reference produced in relatively low numbers? 2. Who, in mid-1950's Spain was buying oversized 18k gold dress watches? This is pre-"Spanish Miracle", when Spain's GDP was roughly 40% of its Western European peers. 3. Why weren't these sent for chronometer certification? The 30L was developed in 1955 and by 1957 Longines was certifying these 30Ls with Breguet overcoils as chronometers. Was the movement initially developed with the overcoil and then Longines realized they could use an ordinary coil while maintaining acceptable performance? That would explain why these aren't identified by Longines as chronometers despite having the characteristics of the later chronometer movements. Just some musings on my end.
....And since the masses are us all reading info on the internet, all you have to do to ensure this happens is to keep raving how cheap it is etc etc and sooner or later people will take notice.
Too true, but now I'm just curious. Longines didn't provide any information on the reference, so now I'm just grasping in the dark. That the movement isn't identified as a chronometer, despite having the hallmark overcoil of later movements identified as chronometers, is the big mystery to me.
Longines with 30L and 30LS movements live here and both sure are good timekeepers. They must lack some feature that merits the chronometer designation. Great watches Rumar89! I love solid gold watches so do keep them a secret so those people Syrte mentions won't notice. Let 'em all wear ol' stainless steel.
@Tony C. knows in more detail, but I think the primary difference between a standard 30L and a chronometer 30L is the Breguet overcoil. I didn't get a great photo of it, but if you look at the regulator arms below, you'll see that the first is shorter (required due to the overcoil). What is bizarre is why you would make the 30L with the overcoil, and then not get it certified. What I do know, based upon the serial number, is this is a very early 30L movement. I'm guessing, the early 30L's were all made with the overcoil, and sometime in 1956 they switched to the standard balance spring. This would explain why a movement could have the overcoil but not be labeled in Longines' archives as a chronometer. Just a guess though. Regardless, I love the 30L.
Hey, thanks for the insightful guess on the Breguet overcoil. I'd reviewed the 30L family before, but had forgotten about the overcoil feature and never knew that initial 30L's featured it, rather than the chronometers only. Your guess sounds plausible. The 30L here is just a plain stainless steel model from 1962.
