First released in 1956, the Longines Silver Arrow has a fascinating history. Named in homage of the ground-breaking, Mercedes Benz Formula 1 cars of the time, which were known for their speed, technological advancement and elegance.
Silver Arrows are known for their case back emblems: a supersonic plane, flying amongst the stars. With these watches being made right on the brink of the Space Age, it is a clear nod to Longines's association with aviation, as well as their clear understanding of the advancements in technology that were happening in multiple other industries.
Our Silver Arrow is no exception when it comes to beauty. This watch, put simply, is stunning. It is in truly spectacular condition for a watch that was first sold on the 4th November 1958, as is stated on the archive extract from Longines. The tropicalised, aged, black dial is incredibly interesting and the way in which has aged gives no doubt to its originality. The dial has an outer, mirrored ring, date window at 3 o'clock and unusual, brick-effect baton markers.
The 34mm, stainless steel, screw-back case houses the Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 23ZSD, fully serviced by us and running strongly. We've kept the watch on its original, Longines-signed, Fixoflex bracelet, but this watch can wear anything.
Extra Points
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
Longines have recently produced a very good Silver Arrow as part of their Heritage range, but you really can't beat the original! The perfect watch to dress up or wear everyday, great for a vintage watch newbie and a must have in every collection!
Spec Stuff
Serial : 1057****
Reference : 9104
Movement : Manual Wind Cal. 23zs, 17 Jewels Age :1951/1960 Specific Age : Invoiced 4th Nov 1958, MacLaine (the Longines agent in Singapore) Case Size : 34mm Case Thickness : 10.5mm Lug to Lug : 43mm Lugs : 18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Longines Extract Information Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1958 Longines Silver Arrow Model 9104 with Tropicalised Black Dial in Stainless Steel on Rare Longines Fixoflex Bracelet & Archive Extract
