1960s Longines watch (retirement gift)

[GrizzlyBear]

Anyone know about Longines watches that were given at retirement gifts (He worked in the Steel industry) circa 1960s if that makes it easier, it appears it was quite a common practice at the time.

One of the family received one, I would like to know what it was (which model etc), one elderly relatives thinks she would recognise it if she seen it again (she seen one on an antiques programme on TV a few weeks ago (she said it was only £150), but couldn't remember which program or channel), but she would recognise it again.

It is probably in a drawer somewhere, but I would like to know what I am looking for, as I am sure whoever in the family inherits it will offer it around or they will just bin it as it doesn't say something valuable like Rolex on the face... At this point all I know is it was a Longines and it wasn't engraved, I want to know the type rather than one of them trying to just pass off any Longines as his.

So anyone know anything about Longines of that era? can anyone post some pictures with model numbers to I can at least be confident of the type. Some of what I have been told by the family has been contradictory, the only consistent thing is the brand.

As I am certain it won't have been looked after, Is there anywhere they restore them? What does the 1960s original box look like too if any one knows.

[anonymous-user]

I saw just such a watch on eBay the other day - it had been presented to someone in 1966 after twenty years work at a company, according to the engraving on the back plate.

I am no expert on Longines, or on watches generally, but have just bought my wife a 1960s Longines to replace her late mum's watch that was lost in a house move. You might find period boxes on eBay. Longines seem to be very good watches for the money, both old and new.

The 1960s Longines that I have seen are in the 200 to 500 quid range.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 18th October 07:53

[glazbagun]

It's too general a description to offer specifics, but Longines were held in much higher esteem in the 60's than they are today and were a prestigious brand in their own right who had won many horological competitions.

If it was a retirement gift and it wasn't engraved, I'd ask your relative if they remember if the caseback was steel or gold coloured. Gold casebacks were often engraved "25 Years at ICI" or whatever, but if it's a steel caseback on a gold coloured watch,
then it's probably gold plated. If it's a solid gold Longines then it's (sadly) possibly worth more as scrap given the way gold prices seem to be going!

Regarding looks, it's unlikely to be a sports watch (they made one, but I can't imagine it being a retirement gift back then!). So you'll be looking for a dress watch between these two styles in either steel or gold (or gold plate). Model numbers are tricky in this era as they made different models for different markets so again, far too little info to go on!

So something like this Admiral, maybe.


Or later, this Ultrachron from the late 60's:

[GrizzlyBear]

Thanks to both for posting, they said the "admiral" above was similar but several things were wrong (Yey, we are getting closer), I have found more detail from the people who remember it (contradictions too...)

It was:
- Definitely a 1960s Longines (retirement was approximately 1965).
- Round faced.
- The case was Gold finish, I am guessing this means is it was platted.
- Leather strap (although that may have been a replacement/substitute).
- The movement required winding (so not an automatic).
- Definitely not engraved (so I really need to work out the correct model).
- The face was white, it also had numbers at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 position, but just bars on the other hour indicators.
- No date on the face.

As I mentioned, it is not that value I am interested in so much as if/when it turns up, I want to know what I should be paying for it (who ever has it will be family, so I don't want either of us ripped-off).

The associated box etc will almost certainly be lost, I just want to know what to look for as if/when I get it. As it will have received little care in 40 years, I will probably get it restored, and for it to be correct (box etc all must be correct), I will be getting a broken watch as a "parts watch" at this rate . I will happily spend more than it will ever be worth on the restoration and box; this isn't about money, I don't remember many of my family, so things like this are important to me, I have my dads watch already (he passed away decades ago).

To be honest, I am not interested in buying a period watch, I want the actual watch as it was owned by someone in the family, if I can't have his watch, the watch will have no value to me and I will just buy another Seiko if I see something I like!

I got one of the more reliable (and computer savy) relatives to look through Longines watches on ebay, and they couldn't see anything that looked correct, but it did remind them of some details (Thank you ebay).

Also, in regard of the box, no-one remembers it, hence, if I find the watch, it will be me finding what it should be with, so anyone working for Longines expect to be hassled by a large, tenacious, perfectionist for details of what would have been used (I am OK with the box not being his, but I want the watch to be correct), from ebay, there appears to be quite a lot of variety all claiming to be from the 1960, so I think I will need the model number before I know what to get (and more importantly find the watch, as without that I am not bothering), I am guessing one of my uncles has it, but I haven't spoken to any in a decade or two.

Also... in an interesting twist... There may be water damage!!! after someone wore it on a night out , and fell in the canal!!!!! How is that likely to affect the internals of a 1960s watch? I am just assuming/hoping they dried it out... although even if it never worked again I will get it working/restored... I can fix anything

I know they are not a valuable watch, I just want his watch as an heirloom (even if it isn't worth much).