There are some nice similar early Longines around that aren't too expensive. Always intrigues me that equal quality early watches, some like Rolex cost a fortune but others like Longines not too much.
For example
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15535858...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Sure. That's fashion.
The main benefit of the NATO construction is that it one of the pins lets go on a conventional watch it will fall off your wrist. Obviously if you are doing something brave and militaristic at the time that's probably it gone. With a NATO it will flap about but you won't lose it. I've had this happen to a watch with a normal strap, I was cycling and retrieved it with a few scuffs but the NATO it now wears would have stopped this.I did not know what, exactly, a NATO strap is so I Googled and found out, with all its supposed military history. But I distinctly remember one summer during seaside holidays going with my grandfather to a watchmaker where he (grandfather) had the leather band taken off his watch and a canvas band put on. Explaining that he always did this in summer. It was probably 1958 - 1960 and I was between 7 and 9 years old. I can't swear that the canvas passed under the back of the case, but it would have made sense because of sweating.
Yes, I read that while Googling. And it makes perfect sense. My point was that what is today marketed as a NATO strap existed before that as a "summer strap," for comfort in hot weather and, presumably, to avoid rotting a leather strap, possibly something precious like crocodile, with sweat. And perhaps also as an "on holiday" thing as opposed to "in town."The main benefit of the NATO construction is that it one of the pins lets go on a conventional watch it will fall off your wrist. Obviously if you are doing something brave and militaristic at the time that's probably it gone. With a NATO it will flap about but you won't lose it. I've had this happen to a watch with a normal strap, I was cycling and retrieved it with a few scuffs but the NATO it now wears would have stopped this.
Fashion indeed. There were many other makers which were regarded as superior to Rolexes. My watch maker still remembers the time when Omega was more expensive than Rolex. Look at the prices here for different chronographs. Yes, the Cosmograph is the most expensive but the prices of other watches weren't that far off. Especially the Orfina! Pity it has not gone the way of the Rolex because I have one!
http://chronomaddox.com/general/c_and_d/connoisseurs.html#Top
Dead right. It was cutting edge technology. Quartz precision versus some spring wound junk that's 100 years old. you want the latest Tesla or some Austin relic that you have to start by hand? A lovely slim, silent lappy or some mechanical typewriter?The Seiko digital watch they feature was more expensive than an Omega Speedie! Wow.
I hope that turns out to be the case, been recommended a small jewellers near me, turn out a pal has his Rolex and Tag serviced by them and he was happy. They've quoted me much much less for fixing the Seiko, and if its good I'll recommend them here.
Yes, back then quartz watches were more expensive than their mechanical counterparts. Better in every way and requires less care and maintenance and eventually costs came down so much that they virtually wiped out the big boys in Switzerland. A lot of Swiss watch makers went belly up and were only subsequently revived when mechanical watches became fashionable again. So when a lot of current Swiss companies brag about their heritage and history, it's a bit of marketing BS and stretching the truth. Many were nothing more than a non-operating entity with a historical 'name' which was bought over by investors and then cleverly relaunched. I am not saying that these companies don't make decent watches today but so much of the marketing lure of big Swiss watches depends on the myth of its heritage and historical expertise.
Mechanical watches are nothing more than luxury products marketed to the max. It's just fashion, not that there's anything wrong with that.
For me, I must say quartz watches are my favorites despite much experience with mechanical ones.
I have my Grandad’s Geneve, it looks exactly like yours. It was a long service gift when he worked for Mather and Platt in Manchester, I believe circa 1973. He retired shortly after and died in 1976 whilst holidaying with us, I was 8 at the time. Lovely bloke.Sorted:- Brendan Haddock Jewellers in Roseburn fixed my slow Seiko SARX017 and also got an old Omega Geneve working again. Water had got into it. But its well over 50 years old now, must be about 1969 vintage I reckon. They charged considerably less than half what the online watch repairs quoted for the Seiko! V. happy.
I have my Grandad’s Geneve, it looks exactly like yours. It was a long service gift when he worked for Mather and Platt in Manchester, I believe circa 1973. He retired shortly after and died in 1976 whilst holidaying with us, I was 8 at the time. Lovely bloke.
Cheers BB
Sorted:- Brendan Haddock Jewellers in Roseburn fixed my slow Seiko SARX017 and also got an old Omega Geneve working again. Water had got into it. But its well over 50 years old now, must be about 1969 vintage I reckon. They charged considerably less than half what the online watch repairs quoted for the Seiko! V. happy.
How’s the course going Bazza?
One of the most attractive qualities of an analogue watch is the fact that it does not require electricity to run. I love the fact that my Doxa dive watch need only be opened up every 3/4 years for a service and recert of it's water resistence. I do use a dive computer but the Doxa is always more fun to take along on the dive.
I quite like their "Retro Quartz Tuxedo" model except for my pet hate of a NATO strap!
I've popped the question for an alternate strap as it would make a nice every day watch.