Longines Cal.370 9ct 1966

Longines

Longines is one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers with an unparalleled history of invention, innovation, patents and awards. They are also responsible for some of the most beautiful watches ever made. For a long time, something of a Cinderella among the watch collecting fraternity, Longines is now rightfully returning to the elevated status they once held in the pre and post-war years. It is only relatively recently that Longines vintage watches have returned to the admiration and popularity they deserve, with values rising on average by 15% per year. Certain models however, such as the now legendary Longines Calibre 13ZN chronograph have sky-rocketed.

Description

Here we have a wonderful example of typical Longines elegance and style in the form of a beautiful 9ct gentleman’s dress watch from 1966. This was a period when technically, Longines was approaching its peak and competing head to head with all of the top-tier Swiss watch manufacturers. Notable highlights on this watch are its beautiful previously restored ivory-cream dial with original hands and the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock. The case and high grade Calibre 370 hand wound movement are also in stunning condition.

At 33mm in diameter, excluding the correct signed crown, this would have been a smaller sized watch for this period. However today, given the popularity among ladies to wear gent’s watches, this could equally be considered a suitable watch for a lady.

The Dial

The dial is simply wonderful due to its age and excellent previously restored condition. It is typically 1960s in its use of a subsidiary seconds dial and original ‘dauphine’ style hands, matched with 1 – 12 standard Arabic numerals, all perfectly placed over an ivory-cream dial. Longines always seems to aim and achieve dials which are that bit closer to perfection and does this so often and so effortlessly.

Even the Longines signature looks more ‘in place’, which incidentally is the oldest registered, of any watch manufacturer. The company certainly made a fine art of this during the ’50s and ’60s. Perhaps the evolution of a certain style became part of the company’s DNA, but Longines dials seem in a class of their own. This sense of style has certainly won Longines many loyal customers, who only later came to appreciate the accuracy and reliability of its movements.

The dial is simply signed ‘Longines’ with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom.

This watch has been previously restored to a very high standard and remains in outstanding condition.

The Movement

The original high-grade Cal. 370, 17 Jewels hand-wound movement, as with all Longines movements, is highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability. This movement has an oversize balance wheel lever escapement, monometallic balance and Incabloc shock protection. Longines watch movements have always been highly revered among watchmakers and serious collectors and this has driven the popularity of their watches up, among the main collector market in recent years.

Following restoration, the movement is now in sparkling condition. As can be seen from the photographs, the movement could be mistaken for that of a new watch, but we assure you it is the original, as evidenced by its markings. The movement has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our watchmaker and it is calibrated to run arrow straight within +9 seconds/day with a 49-hour power reserve when fully wound. This is no exaggeration – we have checked the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher and have no reservations in providing 12 months’ written warranty with this watch*

The movement is signed ‘Longines Swiss’, 17 Jewels, ‘370’ with the serial number 13279944.

This watch is perfectly suited for regular daily use and with care and regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, depending on use, we are confident this watch will run quite happily and reliably for many more decades to come.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.

The Watch Case

The high quality, 9ct yellow three-piece gold case is of solid construction and measures 33mm in diameter, excluding the Longines signed crown. The case was manufactured by D. Shackman & Sons in the UK for Longines and is therefore a very high-quality case, as Shackman was perhaps the best of its time.

The case has been inspected, cleaned and lightly hand-polished to bring it back to the excellent condition seen here.  Inside the case-back, all is as expected and is correctly signed: signed DS&S by Shackman with Baume the British importers and London 9ct UK hallmarks, along with the case ref 39852. The hallmarks are dated 1966.

As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

A high-quality black leather strap is fitted with a Longines gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1966.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

Here we have a most attractive and highly individual vintage watch from what is increasingly becoming one of the most collectable and highly regarded vintage watch brands. This watch will make an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy! It is completely practical for use as an everyday watch and as long as it is well looked after and serviced every 2-3 years it will last another lifetime. It carries a great deal more style, individuality and panache than a new watch and to buy a watch of the same quality today, would cost at least three times the price of this.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.