Photo Credit: Vintage-2-Things
Rare Men’s Longines Solid 14K Gold Diamond Watch with Knotted Lugs
Buy It Now Price: $1,250 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This vintage Longines wristwatch (a Viscount model) exudes bold 1940s retro styling. The slight, convex curve of the crystal watch face evokes the image of a porthole. The knotted lugs and attractive radial bezel design complete the subtle nautical theme convincingly.
-This Longines wristwatch is made from high quality materials – a solid 14 karat yellow gold case set with 12 diamonds around the bezel. In my opinion, this design faithfully encapsulates the prevailing style of the time without venturing into the garish.
-According to the item description, the watch is triple signed – on the dial, case and movement. A watch that is triple signed is more desirable than an identical watch with fewer or no signatures.
-The watch case measures 40 millimeters (1.57 inches) in length by 29 millimeters (1.14 inches) in width (including the lugs). While smaller than most modern men’s watches, this is a typical size for a mid-century men’s wristwatch.
Cons:
-There are no photos of the watch movement. Such photos would verify the caliber and prove it is not a dreaded “Franken-watch” – a vintage watch that has been reconstructed from inappropriate or non-period parts. They might also help corroborate the seller’s claim that the watch was recently serviced (and is therefore presumably in good working order).
-There are insufficient photos to verify that the watch is triple signed as indicated in the item description.
-The price is slightly high at $1,250. A much more equitable price would be $1,000 to $1,100.
-The Longines name does not have the same brand cachet in many collectors’ eyes as some other vintage watch manufacturers like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre or IWC. Conversely, this tends to make vintage Longines watches less expensive. Don’t let the brand name stop you from considering this watch.
