We have the privilege of again offering a very special vintage longines here , a stunning piece of watch design and longines history originally marketed to the elite of sociaty at the time in the 1920s. The extremely attractive soft curves and blend of both 18k Yellow and white gold work seamlessly. The silvered dial with elegant "Breguet" applied numbers is extravagant and symmetrical. This piece could easily be mistaken for a Patek Philippe , Vacheron Constantine or Rolex Prince and has a manufactured in house longines mechanical manual wind caliber 8.28 ,fully jewelled to the centre wheel . We particularly love the symmetry to this art deco design and that attractive dial which has likely had previous restoration as after all the watch is 96 years old . The watch has a real power to its design without being OTT, A good size case which definitely does not get lost on the wrist! A statement watch with ornate hour and minute hands and a subsidiary seconds cross-hair dial at 6 o'clock. Not forgetting those numerals . The watch is also signed with a simple 'Longines'
Information below from the Longines archives confirming the details -
Originally, the serial number 4’586’145 identifies an 18ct yellow and white gold rectangular wristwatch. It is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 8.28 and was invoiced on 3 August 1928 to the company Wirth, which was at that time our agent for Switzerland.
The 25mmX38mm, Solid 18k Hallmarked and signed longines case is stunninh by no means small for its period making for a comfortable wear for both him and her. fully serviced by us and running strongly. We've paired the watch on a dark brown croco grain strap and it comes with a solid Gold buckle and the watch comes in a vintage longines Box .
Founded in 1832, Longines has a rich and exciting history. The company produced their first movement, the 20A, in 1867 near the Swiss town of Saint-Imier, in a place called Es Longines ("long meadows"). This movement won an award at the Exhibition Universelle in Paris in the same year. Longines are credited with advancing the industrialisation of Swiss watchmaking and it because of their new mechanical procedures, they were able to produce a simple chronograph movement, the 20H, as early as 1878. It was the first mechanism that Longines had made that could be used for precise timing and it was so popular with horse racing bettors and spectators that by the end of 1886, Longines were supplying chronographs to the majority of New York's sports officials. It is still the official timekeeper of many horse races, with over 40 in its annual calendar.
The Longines brand name and logo were officially registered with the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (later the WIPO) in 1889. Longines is the oldest brand name registered with the WIPO that is unchanged and still in use today. Longines is now part of the Swatch Group, having joined in 1983.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
Well! I could go on about this piece for days but will let the images tell most of the story! We have manged to offer around 2-3 of these models over our 50 years in buniness but this is the first in solid 18k two colour and this dial configuration and in our opinion it stands sholder to shoulder with the Rolex prince in style, design and quality. We are big fans of vintage Longines here at AWC and this piece is about as good a vintage, pre-owned Rare as Rocking horse droppings Longines as you will find , Especially in this fantastic original condition . A watch to be cherished and respected and we suggest for special occasions as its 96th Birthday this year. You are unlikely to find a better example in The UK today.
Movement : Cal. 8.28 Age :1921/1930 Specific Age :1928 - Invoiced to Wirth of Switzerland 3rd August 1928 Case Size :25mm Case Thickness : 9mm
Lug to Lug : 38.5mm Lugs : 20mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Box & Solid gold buckle Case Material : Solid 18k yellow and white Gold Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1928 Longines super rare and special Art Deco solid 18k two colour gold tank watch cal 8.28
