Description

Steel Longines Ref. 1623 -1 vintage wristwatch, circa 1977
A stainless steel automatic centre seconds wristwatch with date and hack feature

This automatic wristwatch incorporates Longines’ calibre 990 – the calibre was first introduced by Longines in 1977 and at the time was the thinnest automatic movement with date and centre seconds. Significantly, the calibre 990 was the last ‘in-house’ automatic calibre to be made by Longines and is regarded as one of the finest automatic movements ever made. The movement has a height of just 2.95mm which is an astonishing achievement for a calibre that incorporates an automatic rotor mounted to the backplate, a date ring and centre seconds work. The watch also incorporates a quick date change facility and also a hack feature: when the crown is pulled out to the first setting, the date can be advance by rolling the crown towards the wearer, pulling the crown out to the second position allows the hands to be set and activates the hack feature. When the hack feature is activated, the seconds hand stops moving, thereby allowing the watch to be easily synchronised to a time signal.

In exceptional original condition, the watch retains superb definition to the angles and edges of the case. The dial has an very attractive mid-grey tone, applied baton indexes with black inserts and a silvered Longines winged emblem. To the base of the dial, either side of the ‘Swiss’ signature are, to the left, the calibre number and, to the right, the reference number. An example of this model is illustrated and described in Heinz Hampel’s book, Automatic Wristwatches, Schiffer, p. 200. The watch is accompanied by a Longines buckle.

Technical details

[M] Longines calibre 990.1 automatic movement with twin winding barrels and hack feature, lever escapement, 25 jewels, glucydur balance, 28,800 BPH, Incabloc shock absorber [D] silvered grey dial, applied baton indexes with black inserts, blackened baton hands, outer minute/seconds track, aperture for date [C] stainless steel case, the tops of the lugs with satin finish and polished chamfers to the downward facets, polished bezel, snap-on satin finished case back, Longines crown [S] case, dial, movement, crown and buckle signed

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 33.5mm
Length including lugs: 38.5mm
Depth to centre of crystal: 7.5mm
Strap width/lug gauge: 18mm

All our watches have been fully serviced and overhauled and are sold with a one year guarantee and detailed Black Bough certificate. This watch is accompanied by a Black Bough fitted presentation box.

£650.00 [Sold]