Here we have a beautiful example of a 1962 Longines stainless steel square cased watch. It is the reference 6872-8 which has the neat and angular square case with the applied rose gold tone hour markers. The silver satin dial has a light speckled patination, with the simple cross hair sub-seconds register and the Longines signing, with the applied winged hourglass logo. The hands match the hour markers with the rose gold tone. The polished finish of the case catches the light, with the bevelled edges. To the right is the signed crown. The back is snap on, with the brushed finish. Inside the case has the Longines and reference signing. The movement is the Longines calibre 6872-8 which has in very good condition, keeping accurate time. The watch is presented on the JB Champion stainless steel bracelet.
There are multiple examples of 6872- watches by Longines, using the same case. The variations tend to be in the dial layout and movement calibre. Having handled the others and having another of this reference before, we consider the 6872-8 to have the best dial. Both examples of this reference we have had, have the JB champion steel market which is US made.
The dial is an absolute joy on this watch. The base is simple with the silver satin tone. This has a light, speckled patination which means the dial wears its age nicely. It has the applied rose gold tone hour markers which are of the arrow design with the flat tops. The markers at 9, 12 and 3 are slightly larger with the pointed tip. They catch the eye in the light with the bevelled sides and mirror polished finish. They are some of the best indices I have seen on a vintage watch. The Longines name is signed below 12 with the applied rose gold tone winged hourglass logo. The sub-second register is a simple crosshair with the rose gold tone sub-second hand. The hour and minute hands are of facetted Dauphine style in the rose gold tone. These are a neat design which complement the bevels on the hour markers and interact with the light in the same manner.
The case measures 25.5mm x 25.5mm which makes it a neat dress wear. It has a good presence with the lug-to-lug measurement of 37.5mm and the integration of the bracelet into the overall look. It is a slim case profile with a depth of 8.5mm from the bottom of the case, including the box crystal.
The case has the polished finishing with the flat design to the top of the case and the lugs. The lugs angle down, which provides a neat angle to meet the wrist and catch the light. The sides have the bevelled line which runs onto the lugs. This, combined with the taper inwards of the lugs, makes the watch pop in the light. To the right is the Longines signed crown which is original. The box crystal sits within the bezel and provides a clean, uninterrupted view of the dial whilst fitting the shape of the case well.
To the rear of the case is the snap on back which has the polished bevels to each side. The flat face has the linear brushed finishing. There is a lip to the bottom of the case to ease opening. Inside it is signed with the Longines name and logo, with the reference 6872-8 and the batch number 279.
The movement is the Longines 23Z which is a manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 17 and benefits from Incabloc shock proofing. It has a power reserve of approximately 44 hours and operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH.
The watch comes on a period JB Champion Stainless Steel Milanese style bracelet. It is a well-made and good looking bracelet which appears to be original, as we have previously has a NOS example of this model on the same bracelet. It can fit any size of wrist due to its slide through clasp method.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good, lightly aged condition. There is a light spotted patination associated with age. The silver tone is good and bright. The hour markers are free of corrosion and are bright. The signing is good and clear.
Hands:
The hands are original, of facetted Dauphine style. They are in good condition. They are a rose gold tone with polished finish. They have only some slight roughness to the edges.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition with no marking.
Crown:
The crown is original with the Longines name and logo. It is in good condition with no clear marking and it functions as it should.
Case:
The case is stainless steel and is in very good original condition. It has the polished finish with only light marking. It remains unpolished.
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in very good condition with the original brushed finishing. There are only light scratches.
Bracelet:
The bracelet is original and is in very good original condition with only light marking. It slides to fit any wrist size.
Movement:
The movement is the Longines 23Z which is a manual wind calibre. It has a jewel count of 17 and benefits from Incabloc shock proofing. It has a power reserve of approximately 44 hours and operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH.
The movement service history is unknown, but it has been checked over and is in good condition. It is keeping time to within +15 seconds a day. It has an amplitude of 250 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 25.5mm
Case width with crown: 27.7mm
Case length: 25.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 37.5mm
Case Depth: 8.6mm
Lug width: 18mm