The history of the Longines VHP

[chris01]

It's not too difficult - there is no need to break anything!. There are three types of pin in these bracelets. Two are flush with the ends of the links and the third has a domed head.

1. One of each pair of flush pins is intended to be user-removable. It pushes out easily, being held in by two tiny rubber o-rings.

2. The other flush pin is a tight push fit and should not need to be removed in normal adjustment.

3. The domed pins are actually two halves, inserted from each side of the link. They just need a firm grasp with fine pliers, and a strong pull! You might be able to start them with a fine blade. Once one side is free you can push the second half out.

[webvan]

Thanks for the tips, #3 here and using the broken bracelet of the SS VHP I was able to see how it worked and actually pop out the halves...but only after "removing" the middle golden link and pushing from the inside with a screwdriver, there is a lot of "muck" inside the links and very little grip from the outside, I'll see if I can find some finer pliers. Tried using a box cutter and small screw drive to push out the "dome" a bit but it feel dangerous...

[webvan]

So after spending a good hour on the problem last night with various instruments I finally managed to pop out some "domes" with a small screwdriver resting on the side of the bracelet for more leverage...Naturally I'm right between one link+micro adjustment 3 and two links+micro adjustment 1 so it's a tad "loose" but I'll have to get used to it. Not sure I'll be wearing it much anyway as the round 33.5mm case is really a tad small for my 7" wrist.

Oh since we were talking about the version with the Ti inscription, here are some pictures I found, the bracelet had been modified too, but same size at 33.5/36mm (with the crown). I prefer the "Ti" bezel of ours rather than the plated one of this version.





So to sum it up, it seems the non PC VHP came in the following "flavors" :
- VHP Ti with no Ti on the dial, Ti bezel and SS back - 33.5mm
- VHP SS with plated bezel - 33.5mm
- VHP Ti with Ti on the dial, plated bezel and Ti back - 33.5mm
- VHP Oersted with screw down crown and screw in back, 36 mm (this one is now on my list!)

[chris01]

Not so fast, my friend! Mine is (was) a VHP Ti, with "Ti" on the dial, "Titanium" on the back, some bits of gold on the dial, and gold only on the centre parts of the bracelet and the Longines wings on the clasp. Bezel and crown were plain Ti. Sorry no photos at present.

[webvan]

Well I'm just trying to compile a list, not saying it's definitive. So yours is #3 with a Ti (at least non plated) bezel like on my picture ?

The back of the Ti one on eBay with the plated bezel looks like this, Ti Back too, I'll add that above :

[chris01]

The back of mine is different from this one. I'll try to get some pics by the end of the week.

[angeche]

Webvan, that VHP Longines is now in my posession. I will post some piccies....

[chris01]

OK, here's my sadly dead VHP. I hope it shows everything anyone might need to know, Feel free to ask any questions.

The date disc is not original. I found the gold on black version unreadable in most light so had it changed for a later version.

The strange item inside the movement at 3 o'clock is actually bright plated. It sits on top of the battery.

Note the two little black rubber washers at 5:30 and 11:30. These rest against the inside of the back to steady the movement. They are very easily lost.

[Eeeb]

There are diagnostic tests for this movement. I believe they are in the ETA Technical Doc.

[webvan]

@angeche - you got rodinia's ? Let us know when it arrives!

Nice pictures, doesn't seem to be in a bad shape. Our serial numbers aren't very far apart, 21075xxx for mine and 21800xxx for yours so its a bit unlikely yours would be a later model, maybe they had different versions available...Angeche's is 24590xxx so clearly a bit later. I wonder when they stopped making them...will see if I can find old catalogues online.