Longines Flagship 7686-18

c1971 Longines Flagship

The Flagship is by very definition the top of the various different ranges that Longines offered. Model reference 7686-18. HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH? Longines stopped doing sequential serial numbers for a period, starting in 1969. This watch has the later more random serial, and the movement used in this watch was introduced in 1971. Given that information this watch can not be older than 1971, but may be newer. CONDITION Despite the name Flagship this at first appears a quite simple watch. Just two hands, manual wind movement, no extra complications such as a calendar. But to do simple well is actually very hard. When you look closer this is a thin watch, at just 7mm thick. The case is all stainless steel, and does have a mark on the left hand side. The watch is powered by a Longines calibre 428, a 17 jewel movement with KIF antishock protection. At first the measurements look small, but with square watches the width is not as important – the wrist photos show the watch on a reasonably large wrist and it doesn’t look lost. The dial is original, but with light patina. The hands are straight and V shaped running the length of the watch, which helps make them visible at different angles. The dusky pink leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour if preferred – we know it won’t be for everyone, but the silver dial and case mean you can use any colour strap and we wanted to show something different. This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity. SIZE Width with crown 32.0 mm Width without crown 30.0 mm Between lugs 18 mm Lug to lug length 32.3 mm Case Thickness 7.0 mm All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.