The 34mm stainless steel case sits beautifully on the wrist, combining a slim 9mm profile with sharp, tapering lugs that give it a surprisingly strong presence. Its high-polish finish accentuates the clean, mid-century lines, completed by a correct, signed Longines crown.
Beneath the domed acrylic crystal is a striking silver sunburst dial. It features applied, faceted steel baton markers with Arabic numerals at the cardinal points, all caught perfectly by classic Dauphine hands. The distinctive "Sport Chief" script above the 6 o'clock mark adds a great touch of vintage character to an otherwise beautifully clean layout.
Turning the watch over reveals a solid screw-down case back, protecting the excellent in-house Calibre 280 manual-wind movement. This 17-jewel caliber is highly regarded for both its reliability and slim construction.
Ready to wear, the watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap and is accompanied by its incredibly rare original Longines box and signed paperwork—a fantastic find for the collector.
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
The "dual birthyear" element of this Longines Sport Chief makes it an incredibly special find. While the serial number dates the production of the watch to 1966, the original accompanying paperwork notes it was officially sold in 1967. This overlap creates a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking for a meaningful 60th birthday or anniversary gift for either year.
As for the watch itself, we absolutely love the sleek, simple, but highly effective design. Longines truly captured the essence of understated mid-century elegance with this model, making it a piece that transitions effortlessly from casual wear to a dressier look. Finding a vintage timepiece in such fabulous, honest original condition is becoming increasingly rare, and when you pair that exceptional preservation with its original box and signed papers, it becomes a collector-grade package that is very hard to beat.
Spec Stuff
Serial : 1340####
Reference : 7272
Movement : Manual Wind Cal. 280 Age :1961/1970 Specific Age :Circa 1966/7 Sold September 1967 Case Size : 34mm Case Thickness : 9mm Lug to Lug : 40.5mm Lugs : 18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Yes Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1966 / 67 Longines Sport Chief Manual Wind in Stainless Steel Model 7272 Circa Box & Papers
