Longines - no model name watches, why?

[Marijan]

This Longines ended in my colection few day ago. Since this photo was taken, the case, crystal and strap where cleaned and polished, the movement is on the cleaning and servicing at the moment. I like the simple and clean look, but....

I wonder why some models of watches in production by companies of some reputation like Omega, Longines, Zenith etc. wheren`t named on the dial, Like "Flagship" by Longines for example, but just by the name of the maker like on mine.

Where those lover grade models (cheaper ones), maybe made like that on the dealers special request for some countries...., or some other reasons?

Most of this kind of no model name watches I came across ,where from the 30`s to 50`s few from 60`s, but I haven`t seen a lot of watches yet.
This Longines is from 1969 judging by the serial number of litle over
15 000 000.

Any thoughts about this question?

Thanks!

Marijan Radaljac

[ulackfocus]

You're on the money with your assessment - the generic lower grade watches were not part of any named series. The 280 series was introduced in 1958, and was Longines first with direct center seconds. It's a nice movement, but as with most companies it was made during a time when cost cutting was the norm due to tough economical times. By 1969 Longines was concentrating on the higher bph calibers (36K and 28.8K bph).

[Tony C.]

You have basically answered your own question. Those without model names were marketed as less exclusive than the Flagships, Admirals, Constellations, etc., and in most cases they were less expensive. But all of the companies that you mentioned produced excellent quality watches without model names.

For example, Omega produced countless hand-wind watches with the same famous 30mm movements found in their higher-end models (e.g. cal. 266, 267, 268). Zenith produced many unnamed watches with their superb cal. 133.8 bumper automatic movements. Longines also produced many watches with the same excellent movements found in their higher-end offerings.

Much like the automobile industry, in which high-end models often share many components with their lower-end brothers, it often boils down to a different level of finishing. So with vintage watches, the cases and dials were generally of a higher quality in the named models. Of course in some cases the movements were also more highly finished, but more often than not they were virtually identical!

[Marijan]

Thank you for your thoughts.

As much it seems logical, I was probably confused a little with the fact that Longines, if I stay with my watch, used 284 for example in a simlar casing with allmost identical dial (raised logo is a basic diference) but in havy gold case version. Again no model name.

I assumed that gold cases for example, or highly detailed dials, fancy ones, where reserved for a higher grade pieces, and that will not share the same movements as lover grade watches.

Thanks!

Marijan

[AbslomRob]

Keep in mind that by the 30's, watches were more of a fashion item and less of a functional item, a trend that continues today. As such, it was quite important to be able to bring out new watch designs on a regular basis. Dials without names could be more easily adapted to different grades and styles of watches, which helps to keep costs down.

[Marijan]

There`s a lot of names between Flagship and Fishing-boat ;-).

Thanks Rob!

Marijan Radaljac

[sixtysix]

My Longines is a mid 60's model in 14kt gold. If the no-nameers are cheaper than why use 14Kt gold case? I found it in one of the price guides and and it is correct with the gold case. I am not sure what movement is in this one, it was serviced before I got it.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee110/19sixtysix/Longines/longines003.jpg

[ulackfocus]

If the no-nameers are cheaper than why use 14Kt gold case?

There are always exceptions. I saw a mid 60's automatic 14K no-name with a 342 inside recently on eBay. Go figure on that one! Yours probably has a 370 inside since it was popular in the manual winding watches with subdial seconds. It may have a 23Z, 22L, or even a 400 series too but odds favor the 370.

[Tony C.]

My Longines is a mid 60's model in 14kt gold. If the no-nameers are cheaper than why use 14Kt gold case?

The point is not that every non-model-name watch was cheaper than the cheapest one with a model name, but that the equivalent ones without names were less expensive. In the case of your nice example, it may have been that the similar ones with model names (e.g. Grand Prize) came in 18k cases.

[sixtysix]

The point is not that every non-model-name watch was cheaper than the cheapest one with a model name, but that the equivalent ones without names were less expensive. In the case of your nice example, it may have been that the similar ones with model names (e.g. Grand Prize) came in 18k cases.

OK now I get it |>.