A Legacy of Precision: A Guide to Collecting Vintage Longines

Longines is more than a mere watchmaker; it is a pioneer of aeronautical and sporting history. From being the official timekeeper of the Olympics to supplying watches to the International Aeronautics Federation since 1919, Longines has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a Swiss watch can achieve. At Wanna Buy A Watch?, we focus on pieces that represent the peak of this innovation.

The Icons: Conquest, Flagship, and Military

• The Longines Conquest: First launched in 1954, the Conquest is a masterpiece of mid-century design. Known for its robust case and the beautiful enamel ‘fish’ or ‘stars’ medallion on the caseback, it remains one of the most collectible automatic watches from the 1950s.

• The Longines Flagship: Known for its slim profile and elegant lugs, the Flagship series represents the pinnacle of Longines’ dress watch production. These are often powered by high-grade calibers like the 30L, celebrated by watchmakers for its simplicity and accuracy.

• Aviation & Military Heritage: Longines’ relationship with pilots is legendary. Collectors highly prize the Czech Military ‘Majetek’ and the Lindbergh Hour Angle, watches designed as genuine navigational tools.

Note on 1920s-1930s Design

“30 plus years ago, the classic long, rectangular shaped case was the iconic style of vintage watch collecting. The 1920s and 1930s oversize rectangular case design was the leading work of Longines, Patek Philippe, and other fine Swiss makers. While round cases are popular today, these robust, rectangular Longines models—often featuring manual wind calibers like the 10.26—remain especially distinctive for their ‘bold’ profile on the wrist. They are a true testament to the era of art deco elegance.”

Why Longines is the “Sleeper” of Vintage

For the savvy collector, vintage Longines offers an incredible value proposition. In the 1940s and 50s, Longines movements (like the 13ZN or 30CH chronographs) were arguably superior to almost anything else on the market. Every watch in our West Hollywood showroom is guaranteed genuine, providing a level of mechanical integrity that matches its historic beauty.