This piece is in incredible condition for something this old...
If you're lucky enough to own a vintage Longines watch you'll probably know about the incredibly detailed and vast archive they have. Every since 1867 Longines has meticulously recorded every single watch series number that they have produced. The benefit of this is that any Longines owner can send both images of the watch and any visible series numbers off to Longines and within two weeks they will receive 'An Extract from the Archives' which includes all relevant information kept in the Longines archives about the timepiece. Costing a total of £0, you can't argue with that customer service at all.
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Similarly, you can go the extra mile and go for a certificate of authenticity which requires the watch to be sent off to Longines where their watchmakers will inspect the piece and provide as much information as possible. The President of Longines will also sign the certificate as well. Potentially taking up to 3 months and costing CHF 120, it's once again an incredible service to offer.
But one owner had such a special Longines watch that his experience was somewhat a step above...
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
The watch in question was the oldest Longines watch to have known to exist. Created in the same year the Longines factory was created, this 183 watch from 1867 is simply incredible. To find an example like this in itself is incredibly rare, let alone one in this almost pristine condition.
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
The very fortunate owner of the piece is an American collector of Japanese descent who visited the headquarters of Longines to have his piece authenticated. It's extremely low serial number (183) combined with the extensive archive of Longines means the provenance of this watch was confirmed extremely easily.
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
The 'savonette' type silver pocket watch is powered by a mechanical manual wind movement and is extremely typical of something Longines created at that time period. The iconic winged hourglass of Longines is present on the movement of the watch and inside the cover.
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Talking of the cover, an engraving showing two blank crests and a floral motif decorates it beautifully. One of my personal favourite features are those incredible hands, somehow managing to look both delicate yet almost gothic at the same time (Something purely reserved for watches of this age or haute horology pieces).
Here are a few more images of both the watch and the collector's time with the brand.
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
Image credit Longines press – www.longines.co.uk
In Longines own words 'This piece, the condition and proper functioning of which impresses specialists, is a major discovery for the Swiss watch brand.'
It's okay, I'm not that jealous at all...
