Longines Flagship Automatic Ref.2403 18ct 1960

Longines

Longines is one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers with an unparalleled history of invention, innovation, patents and awards. The company is 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 between 15 and 20% per year. Certain models, however, such as the now legendary Longines Calibre 13ZN chronograph have sky-rocketed.

Description

Here we have a superb, fully original, unrestored and untouched example of the Longines Flagship from 1960 when from a technical standpoint, Longines was competing head to head with and beating almost all of the other Swiss watch manufacturers. The incredible Flagship we see here has a large 18ct yellow gold case, size 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct Longines signed crown and weighs an impressive 81 grams. The watch is also fitted with the high grade Longines Calibre 340 automatic movement which is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability. This watch carries the Flagship motif on the case-back which is clear and distinct, indicating this watch has seen little use and has not been over-polished.

The Dial

During the 1950s and ’60s, Longines excelled in every aspect of watch design and manufacture. The company was rightfully held in very high regard for the quality of its movements and close examination of any of its watch cases reveals equally high attention to design detail, quality, and purpose. We strongly believe that Longines ‘Classic’ vintage watch dial designs are a step ahead in terms of style, elegance and sophistication.

The fully original, unrestored and untouched silver-white dial design here is very clean, simple and elegant. Everything is in perfect proportion and the dial just ‘works’ so well. The original unrestored gilt ‘dauphine’ hands pair with applied ‘baton’ hour indices and the Longines signature sits perfectly over the applied Longines winged hourglass logo, which incidentally, is actually the oldest registered trademark of any watch manufacturer.

The dial is signed with ‘Longines’ at the very top below 12, along with ‘Flagship’ and ‘Automatic’ below.

As mentioned above, this dial is original and unrestored. This has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

This watch contains its original Longines Calibre.340, 17 Jewel automatic movement which is held in very high regard for its accuracy and reliability and following its restoration, overhaul and service, is now in immaculate condition. The movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only original Longines parts where required and when tested and calibrated, this watch was running to within +10 seconds per day, which is excellent for a vintage watch of this age! When fully wound, this movement also has a 42 hour power reserve.

The movement is signed ‘Longines Automatic’ with the Calibre 340 and the movement serial number 11380659 which dates this watch correctly to 1960.

These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable making the watch appropriate for regular everyday use. This particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing, every 2 to 3 years we would fully expect this watch to give very faithful service for many more decades to come! We are pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement* and regular servicing in the future, as required.

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

The Watch Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures a large 35mm, excluding the correct original signed Longines crown and features a wonderful plain bezel that contrasts with the integrated bezel perfectly.

The condition of the case is outstanding,  It is as sturdy and tight as the day it was made and the press-fit case-back fits into place with a satisfying ‘pop’. It is in immaculate condition with no scratches, other marks, or signs of wear visible to the naked eye. The exterior of the case-back carries the flagship motif which remains in perfect condition, indicating the watch has seen only very light use and proper care.

Inside the case, the case-back all is signed correctly and as expected: ‘Longines’, ‘Flagship’ along with Swiss 18ct hallmarks and the model reference number 2403.

Please note – as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The original full-sized heavy 18ct yellow gold bracelet completes the watch beautifully. It is a work of art in itself and feels wonderful both on and off the wrist.Some things are so well designed and so well made, they appear to have a form closer to nature, evolution and art, than to manufacture and this bracelet and case is no exception.

The bracelet is of its full size and has a two-step adjustable catch. It is designed for an average gent’s size wrist and measures 17.8cm on its smallest and 18.4cm at its largest adjustment, however this is an integral bracelet that can be tailored to size if necessary.

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 1960.

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 also 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”.

This watch comes complete with a vintage Longines presentation box.

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

A very special and absolutely stunning Longines Flagship automatic vintage watch from one of the most collectable, highly regarded and time-honoured vintage watch brands. This is also a very rare watch due to its large 35mm size and beautiful 18ct yellow gold case and one which will make an excellent financial investment as well as be something to use, 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 the same quality today, would cost at least three or four times the price here.

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.