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1961 Longines Flagship ref.3518 18KYG

  • Writer: Arthur
    Arthur
  • Sep 14
  • 2 min read

What's so special about the watch?

For the discerning collector of vintage gold watches, condition can be quite important. Precious metal should be as pristine as it can be - dial and hands included - and this watch on offer here checks all the boxes.


This Longines has one of the cleanest vintage dials I've come across. A perfect champagne dial with a light vertical brush isn't one you come across a lot, and with the outstanding date window at 12 it's all the elegance you will need. 


What are the functions of the watch?

Time and date. 


Let me tell you about the case...

Longines is a master of dress watches. The Flagship is a thin-cased wonder with slim lugs that angle downwards to fit on your wrist. A thin bezel adds to dial- appeal - a slim line around the excellent dial that is nicely polished and free from majot dings. This watch will fit very well under a cuff, and with the choice of gold milanese be great to behold on a bare wrist as well.


On the case back is the ornate Flagship icon - a detailed ship amidst the sea. While there are slight tool marks on the case back, the icon remains untouched. 


And now the dial...

The flat dial has a slight vertial brush that's a nice surprise to anyone who takes the time to admire the watch from up close. Simplicity is the theme here - a lot of the dial has been devoted to white space, starting with the choice of date window at 12.


Long thin tapered gold indices are applied for the hours, with plain hash markers for fives. The ones at 3, 6 and 9 are double applied. For a dress watch however the choice of lume dots intrigued me. There would be no need for the application, but the tritium on the dial and hands have aged to a nice ochre.


Let's not forget the hands...

Matching the stick indices are similarly slim hands, the hour and minute ones home to a thin slit of lume that's matching the dial's.



Specifications:

  • Central sweeping hour, minute and seconds

  • Brushed champagne dial with applied gold markers and date at 12'O

  • Longines cal.341 automatic movement @ 21,000vph

  • 35mm 18k solid yellow gold case

  • 42mm lug-to-lug

  • 18mm lug width

  • Acrylic crystal

  • Signed crown 

  • Screw-on case back with factory engraving



Asking Price: $2,180 (ex. shipping)



This watch is for sale. If you would like to add this watch to your personal collection, drop me a message and let's discuss.

 
 
 

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