Longines relaunched the Ultra-Chron in 2022. It is a near-perfect revival of the high-frequency range that first appeared in the 1960s. We saw a vintage Ultra-Chron on one of our recent expeditions to an Antiques and Collectors Fair. There wasn’t a known service history for this particular example, so it wasn’t purchased. However, it did…Read more
Category: Longines
Collecting Swiss vintage watches: 10 mid-range brands worth exploring
Collecting vintage Swiss watches is a passion that brings history, style, and personal satisfaction. Many collectors begin in the low to mid-range price bracket, roughly between £250 and £2,000. In this guide, we explore ten desirable Swiss watch brands that offer a strong heritage, reliable movements, and potential for appreciation. We share our insights and…Read more
Vintage gentleman’s Longines Jamboree wristwatch, c1958
I must admit I had no intention of buying the Longines Jamboree even though it had been sold when I had a chance to review the piece. Although I am familiar with the Longines brand, I had no knowledge of the Jamboree model. I spent a few hours researching this obscure model, and below is…Read more
Longines Surfing wristwatch, 1966
I must be honest; in this post, I am actually writing about a vintage watch I had no intention of buying. It is a Longines Surfing wristwatch, Reference: 7625-1, dating from 1966. I have a great deal of respect for the Longines brand, but I see them as a watchmaker that focuses on elegance rather…Read more
Longines Conquest automatic watch, 1973
In the 1970s, Longines released a lot of different designs in the Conquest line, this was one of them. Vintage Longines still offers undeniable value in the vintage watch market, this model is the perfect example of that. It has a high-quality 25-jewel automatic movement and is cased in stainless steel. The watch is in…Read more
Longines Art Deco cushion cased wristwatch, 1927
This is a stunning Longines Art-Deco cushion-cased wristwatch dating from 1927 with a 14k gold case. It is an eye-catching timepiece with its vivid yellow gold case and a dial that has aged beautifully. The luminescent paint on the dial is remarkably intact for a watch of this age. The case is noticeably smaller than…Read more
What is a vintage “tool watch”?
If you spend any length of time around vintage watch collectors, you are bound to overhear the term “tool watch”. In this post we explain exactly what is meant by the term “tool watch” and give some examples of each from the vintage watch world. A tool watch is a type of wristwatch designed for…Read more
Longines Admiral 5 star wristwatch, 1970s
This is a vintage Longines Admiral 5-star automatic wristwatch in excellent condition. The movement is signed with the Longines name and the serial number dates back to the mid-1970s. Longines is one of the most underrated brands in the vintage watch world, in my opinion, it’s just as deserving of attention as other well-known Swiss…Read more
A guide to vintage watch patina
Over the past few decades, the vintage watch market has seen an interesting shift. According to Christie’s Auction House, the newfound appeal of vintage watch patina is a phenomenon that is here to stay. The appeal for “honest” patina has grown over the last decade. In the years preceding, many collectors were interested in acquiring…Read more
What determines the “condition” of a vintage watch?
When buying a vintage watch, you are also buying a piece of history. Your new timepiece may have had a sheltered life, sitting in a box at the back of a drawer for fifty years, and it will be in pristine condition. Alternatively, your latest acquisition may have been the daily wearer for its previous…Read more