Collectible! Birthday Watch 1966! Longines Tank Cal 428 17J Mechanical Watch (OH)

A BIRTHDAY WATCH IS A WATCH THAT WAS PRODUCED THE SAME MONTH AND YEAR AS YOUR BIRTHDAY.

Make: Longines
Type: Mechanical
Model: Tank
Year of Production: 1966
Movement: Cal 428
BPH: 18,000
Number of Jewels: 17
Hand and Dial: 3D Silver Baton Markers and Baton Hands
Width: 30mm
Height: 32.5mm
Thickness: 7mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Bracelet / Strap: Brand-New Hi-Quality Two Tone Genuine Leather Strap
Pouch / Box: Brand-New EVA Type Zipper Pouch

Founded at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, in 1832, Longines has a long and storied heritage in watchmaking, and it is one of the oldest registered watch brands in the world. Over the years, it has been associated with aviation, sports timing, and various exploration expeditions.

Longines is renowned for its elegant and timeless watch designs. The brand is often associated with classic dress watches and has a reputation for producing watches that exude sophistication and refinement.

Longines offers a wide range of watch collections, including the Master, Conquest, Heritage, Elegance, and HydroConquest lines, among others. Each collection caters to different styles and preferences.

Here we have a 1966 Longines Tank, Cal 428 with Crosshair Silver Dial, 3D Stick Indices and Baton Hands. This timeless 17 Jewel Mechanical timepiece had undergone a deep cleaning to reveal an immaculately preserved reflective linen dial, 3D baton indices, and hands.

The signed crown is located at the traditional 3H position and is nicely tucked away to prevent damage or snags yet it is easily accessible. The hands quickset works flawlessly by pulling out the crown to adjust accordingly.

The movement was carefully stripped and meticulously cleaned via ultrasonic immersion, oiled, re-assembled and calibrated on 25 September 2023; hence it underwent an overhaul and not a general servicing. It should be able to operate unhindered for the next 5 to 10 years at the least thereby providing the owner peace of mind

The timeless Tank shaped silver case also underwent ultrasonic cleaning and a basic buff afterwards; however, there are some hairline scratches present. The acrylic glass is original and in pristine condition.

Equipped with the well revered 428 movement, it has 17 Jewels that operate at 18,000 beats per hour (BPH) giving it excellent longevity and accuracy. The time-grapher, after 60 hours of calibration, shows excellent readings i.e. rate of +1 seconds every 24 hours and amplitude of 221 in a relatively straight line. Such readings are exceptional even by brand new modern automatic watch standards whereby the accepted tolerance is -20 to +40 seconds a day! This is a testament to the quality, excellent power reserve and longevity for such a vintage timepiece, the meticulous care provided over the years, and of course the painstaking calibration conducted.

The case width and height are approximately 30mm (without crown) and 32.5mm respectively. The lug width is 18mm, and the strap can accommodate wrists up to 20cm; hence, the watch size is suitable for men and the modern women.

A brand new hi-quality two-toned genuine leather strap with built-in quick-release spring bars was chosen to add contrast to the silver dial. The results are stunning. 

To the best of our knowledge and expertise when overhauling the timepiece, the watch is 100% original Longines components from this particular watch. No parts were replaced with aftermarket parts or modified thereby it is considered in near MINT condition.

Due to its age, this timepiece has not been water-resistant tested.

The pictures provided show the watch’s case in pristine condition (no dents and major scratches), and the movement within squeaky clean and well maintained. It has also been demagnetised to improve parts reliability, minimise wear & tear, and improve accuracy. The only drawback is the lack of documentation and original box. A nice purposeful carrying case or box will be provided instead.

Seldom can one find a vintage watch that offers this and more. Yes, there are many other same / similar models in the market, BUT none are as well-kept and maintained as what you see here, and with an attractive price to boot. So, it is a no-brainer that this one-of-a-kind watch will make an extremely beautiful birthday present for that special someone born in 1966! Another no-brainer is the fact that the value of this watch will appreciate over time.

Bear in mind that this watch has seen many of the previous owners’ ups and downs in life, and should be cherished and well taken care of for the next generation to savour such engineering beauty.

Do also bear in mind that it will cost between S$ 180.00 to S$ 200.00 for an overhaul, an estimated S$ 80.00 to calibrate (depending on watch condition), and S$ 100.00 to polish including tightening of bracelet links - these costs do not apply when purchasing this timepiece. So, if anyone was to sell such a timepiece at a low price yet claim that it has been serviced, one has to ask what kind of servicing was conducted, if any.

This is a 1966 Longines Tank Cal 428 in stunning condition with a beautifully preserved vintage dial, immaculate indices, hands, movement and case; so, be unique and own a watch that is almost impossible to source. 

This is a must-have for the Longines die-hard fan, or any vintage watch fan for that matter!