Nice Longines Movement - Now For A Case...

[WillFly]

I've been after a nice hand-wound Longines movement for some time - their movements are usually beautifully crafted - but you don't get much for less than £250. By chance, I spotted this little lot from 1964 on eBay this morning for less than a 5th of that price:

 

 

The dial's in good nick and the movement looks gorgeous. Now all I have to do is find a decent case...

 

Cheers,

 

Will

Edited July 8, 2014 by WillFly

[autowind]

Longines are a 1st. class movement and I think you've got a bit of a bargain there, a nice case and you will have a Classic quality watch.

[Geo]

Looks like another excellent watch has been butchered for the gold. I hope you find a nice case, because that movement deserves it!

[WillFly]

It certainly does! The movement is advertised as 34mm but, looking at another pic which shows the movement in between some calipers, I've deduced (by the power of Photoshop) that it's actually 31mm in diameter - which is about 14 lignes or size 1. So, the search is on.

 

I could get a new Longines case from Cousins, but they're BIG money!

[WillFly]

Just rechecked - 30.5mm - 13 lignes.

[Geo]

Hi Will, check this out. It says 35mm but that could be the outside size.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Longines-original-8888-29-case-and-back-/181451346865?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item2a3f57d3b1

[bobm12]

Congratulations Will, nice movement and Longines is one of the finest!

[WillFly]

Hi Will, check this out. It says 35mm but that could be the outside size.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Longines-original-8888-29-case-and-back-/181451346865?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item2a3f57d3b1

Thanks for the heads-up - I've sent a message. Pity it's Italy, but we'll see...

[Lawson]

WOW! Nice one Will.  That my friend is a piece of art.

 

The thing looks as clean as a whistle too ... I bet it doesn't even need a service?!

[WillFly]

The seller says "should be serviced" - but they all say that to cover themselves. I'll check it out when it gets to me.

[carl]

This is very nice Will. I saw this on ebay and was very tempted. It will make a lovely addition to your collection.

[WillFly]

Hi Will, check this out. It says 35mm but that could be the outside size.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Longines-original-8888-29-case-and-back-/181451346865?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_WatchAccessories_SpareParts_SM&hash=item2a3f57d3b1

Well, I've taken a punt on this - made an offer (after getting some more exact sizing) which was accepted - and we'll see what happens when it gets here...

[Geo]

Fingers crossed Will, if it fits OK it will make a cracking watch!

[WillFly]

Fingers crossed Will, if it fits OK it will make a cracking watch!

`

I hope so - a new Longines case from Cousins is around £250!

[dbals]

Great, Thanks Will......   Now I want a Longines  :startle: .   

[bobm12]

I wonder what most every supplier think their cases are made of! No matter Will, the bay is the way to go and that movement will be right at home with that beautiful Italian case! Think positive!

[WillFly]

The Longines case arrived this morning - and it fits snugly round the movement. Hurray! So, the next steps are: (1) get the movement cleaned as it's a little sticky (2) get a crystal installed (3) fit a new strap - think I'll get stainless steel mesh for this one, just for a change... Geo - thanks again for the heads-up on the case!

 

 

Edited July 14, 2014 by WillFly

[Geo]

I'm really pleased for you Will. It will be an absolute cracker for the money when your finished with it.

Glad to have been so assistance!

[autowind]

Nearly there,  watches do not come much better than a Longines,  you will be able to hold your head high whatever company you are in.  :thumbsu:

[Geo]

you will be able to hold your head high whatever company you are in.  :thumbsu:

I thought he'd retired! :-)

[autowind]

Geo I should have made myself clearer,  I meant social company, sorry for confusion.   :rolleyes:

[Geo]

I was joking Roger. :-)

[autowind]

It must be the difference between Welsh and Scottish humour that caused the misunderstanding.   :thumbsu:  

[WillFly]

Well, I thought I'd cracked the Longines movement/case marriage. Not so - the case width is good, but the case height is not so good. The winding stem won't fit into the movement while the spacing ring is in place - the movement's too much one way - and, with the ring removed and the stem in place, the movement is too loose and rattles around. Ho hum - back to square one.

 

Anyway, the movement's being cleaned at the moment, so I'm going to regroup and have a think. The case is very, very nice and I might just sell it on - or I might have a think about a movement for it - but I'm not sure yet.

 

The movement, however is absolutely terrific and I'm going to keep it through thick and thin! I might even contemplate having a case made for it, but we'll see...

 

Decisions, decisions... :pulling-hair-out:

Edited July 23, 2014 by WillFly

[Geo]

That's a bugger! Would the case be OK if a movement ring was made to suit the combination?