Don't worry, I didn't do it...

However, while researching their repair and "restoration" service, I watched this video.

It is the before and after towards the end of the video that shocked me (1:50).

To summarise:
- They shorten the seconds hand (WHYYY!? that's not restoring, that's changing! or updating if you want to give it a positive spin).
- The lume is just awful, I have the heritage conquest and you wonder why they don't have a better way of doing this.

On a positive note, it does seem like they will create new parts for those that are out of production. And I can understand the attraction to wanting the dial restored you've inherited an old Longines and you are not a fan of the vintage beaten-up look.

I wonder if you could give them specific instructions to lay off the dial work.

 

I’m quite sure they would not touch a dial if someone asks them not to— that department speaks to collectors everyday and meets with them at events and they know full well that vintage watch enthusiasts are sticklers on originality.

My hunch would be that this video was made for the broader public who’s not necessarily familiar with their services.

But what I love about it, is how prominently they feature female watchmakers.
Who else but Longines do you see promoting women in any watch videos?
They’re the only ones not giving the impression they’re a men’s club

Oh and by the way, all the (other) industry specialists supposedly opening up to women and who only feature women wearing or promoting luxury bling watches, what message is that supposed to send ?

 

I have a Vintage Longines that needs a service, but no cosmetic work. I know that sending vintage watches for service to Rolex or Omega is a bad idea, but what about Longines? Can I ask for a mechanical service only and will they respect that? Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

Yes, however the cost will likely be significantly higher than if you were to get the watch serviced by an independent watchmaker. If the watch has an uncommon movement that needs parts, then it could make sense to send it to Longines. But in many cases the cost of service would far exceed the value of the watch.

 

I only just got notified that this thread was commented on!

@Syrte you’re right about their work in inclusivity. I noticed a few things on their website, for one, they used female hand models for some of the “men’s” watches such as the conquest heritage.

Proud to own a couple of Longines

But I’d still be hesitant to send them a vintage, unless their was a lot of communication first with that department

 

I noticed that before reading your post. Good on them.

 

Before you worry about that, you should be aware the cost of a vintage service in their Brand Heritage department is at least around 3000 swiss francs. If your watch is not worth such an expenditure, that solves the matter. But once you commit to paying such a sum, I only hear of very happy people. And if your watch is truly valuable then I wouldn’t let anyone else touch it.

 

What do you call it when it came with a short second hand and some jackhole put the wrong second hand on during service a decade ago and you then replace it with the correct, short second hand?

Oh right, you call it restoration.

 

It depends on your vintage watch and your goal. Some are so far gone that factory service is the only option to get it even close to a wearable state. Some are time capsules where factory service might remove everything a collector wants.

There is no one answer.

 

Why do they shorrten secs hand?

 

Because the watch originally came with a shorter seconds hand and someone changed it since the watch was sold.

 

Thanks for the advice, it’s a Nonius so relatively valuable, so I will send it off and see what the estimate comes back as.

 

To an independent or to Longines factory service?

 

It sounds like Longines.

Ref. 8225? If so, nice watch! Do let us know what the estimate is.

 

To Longines. The dealer gave me a provisional price of 290 pounds, but will be updated when the factory looks at it. They also said it might take 4 to 6 weeks to hear back, so.......

 

Thanks, it is a cool watch and worth doing it right!

 

It will be very interesting to hear back. Are you saying 290 pounds is a provisional quote for the price of a vintage service? That would be fabulous.

 

Unless Longines operates in a completely different way than other brands, say like Omega, then you can ask whatever you want but that is no guarantee that they will listen.

Nothing against the people working there, and they may all be vintage buffs who understand in detail what vintage collectors want, but it's brand policies that drive what actually gets done.

If the finish on the dial is flaking, they simply will not leave the dial as is. If the lume is cracked on the hands, they will replace the hands - these are not "optional" in the sense that if Longines does the service, they will insist on replacing anything that may cause the watch to come back under warranty. In a case where something on your watch is not up to standards, the best you can hope for is that they return the watch without servicing it, and without any changes cosmetically - you can then take it to someone who can service the watch, and repair the defects in a way that allows the parts to be kept original.

Cheers, Al

 

Hi Al, I’m one of several Longines vintage enthusiasts who have had a chance to meet with and have lengthy discussions with Longines’ chief vintage watchmakers on several occasions, in Bale and Saint Imier, and while I may be wrong I do not believe for a second that they would replace something the owner of the watch does not want to see replaced, or repair something the owner would not want to see repaired.

As we all know the swatch group gave Longines as a brand a completely different marketing placement and strategy than Omega.
In the past few years it’s been clear the Swatch group has pinned Longines’ reputation and marketing on its amazing history — that means free archive extracts delivered in a matter of a couple of days, they’ve hired about 7 new historians in as many years in the history department, which had two people 10 years ago and has about 10 now.

The historians work hand in hand with the vintage watchmakers for the restorations, in the same department.

I don’t think one can assume the way Omega or Rolex do business can be transposed to Longines.

That being said and as of course these things matter I would encourage anyone in contact with them to simply verify and confirm it for themselves.

 

depending on in which country you live they have qualified service centers in different countries. It may an idea to research if there is one in your home country...