A discreet automatic Longines, this men’s watch could be worn with anything, to anything. Model reference 1659 2.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
There doesn’t seem to be a database for Longines serial numbers after 1969 publicly available (if you know of one please contact us!), but we know that this movement was not introduced until 1999, so this watch could not have been made before 1999. The instruction book we have with the watch is not dated.
CONDITION
The eighties was cruel to many watch brands. They suffered from very high gold prices, cheaper competition from the far east, and lots of changes in technology. Together this was called the quartz crisis, and many companies went bust or changed hands. The watch we have here is likely a reaction to the success that Oris and Zenith were having, after they ditched quartz movements and went mechanical again. This Longines has an automatic movement labelled Longines L629.1, but it is an ETA 2982-2 behind the badge engineering and that is no bad thing – it makes any future servicing easier for example. This movement has quite set date, and it also allows a slender case – just 8mm thick, including the complications of constant seconds and calendar is quite impressive for an automatic. The dial has a matte finish, with just slight patina. The case appears unpolished so will show some small marks, but it also has a screw down case back and has kept the original signed crown. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour if preferred. It does have a Longines signed buckle too.
This watch will be supplied with the original presentation box, instructions and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 35.5 mm
Width without crown 33.0 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 38.7 mm
Case Thickness 8.0 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.