Longines Flagship ref. 1003

Longines Flagship ref. 1003

The Longines Flagship ref. 1003 is an elegant vintage manual-wind watch from one of Longines' most classic and esteemed collections. The Flagship model was introduced in 1956 as an elegant line of wristwatches, combining classic design, precision, and high-quality craftsmanship.

The presented timepiece dates from 1959, according to its serial numbers. The watch features a mechanical, hand-wound Longines Calibre 30L movement, a stainless steel case with a diameter of approximately 35.5 mm, a screw-down case back, a hesalite crystal, and a brown leather strap.

Movement

At the heart of the watch is the Longines Calibre 30L - a legendary Swiss manual-wind movement, produced between 1955 and 1967. The Calibre 30L is one of Longines' most highly regarded movements from the era of classic mechanical watchmaking.

The movement is known for its durability, simplicity, precision, and very high quality of craftsmanship. To this day, it is sought after by vintage watch collectors because it represents the golden age of traditional watchmaking, where robustness of construction, finishing details, and longevity of the movement were of great importance.

The Calibre 30L has 17 jewels, operates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, and offers approximately 43 hours of power reserve. The movement has a diameter of approximately 30 mm and a height of approximately 4 mm.

It is worth noting the craftsmanship of this calibre. The jewels of all the gear train wheels are set in chatons. A chaton is a ring of soft metal, often gold, that creates a protective barrier between the delicate bearing jewel and the steel plate of the movement. Historically, this solution was used to reduce the risk of jewels cracking during assembly.

The movement also features details characteristic of high-quality craftsmanship: chamfered and polished bridge edges, a fragment of perlage decoration under the balance wheel, rounded wheel arms, and a radially brushed underside of the ratchet wheel. These are details often not visible once the watch is closed, but they attest to the level of the movement's execution.

Case and Dial

The watch case is made of stainless steel and has a classic, round shape. The case diameter is approximately 35.5 mm without the crown, the width with the crown is approximately 37.5 mm, the height is approximately 9 mm, and the lug-to-lug dimension is approximately 38 mm.

These are very good proportions for an elegant vintage watch. The case maintains a classic, understated character, but thanks to its 35.5 mm diameter, it remains comfortable and versatile even by modern standards.

The watch features a screw-down case back and a hesalite crystal. Hesalite crystal, also known as acrylic or plexiglass, was commonly used in historical watches. It is lightweight, shatter-resistant, and well-suited to the character of vintage watches. It may be more prone to minor scratches than sapphire crystal, but its advantage is the possibility of polishing.

The crown on this piece is original but not signed. The dial and overall styling of the watch maintain the elegant, classic character appropriate for the Flagship collection.

Strap

The watch is equipped with a brown leather strap. The strap is of high quality and complements the steel case and the elegant character of the Flagship model well.

The strap width is 18 mm. The brown leather emphasizes the classic, warm, and vintage look of the watch, making it suitable for both elegant and everyday attire.

Condition of the Watch

The watch is a used item. It may show natural signs of wear due to age, previous use, and the nature of a vintage watch. The detailed visual condition is shown in the product photos.

For watches from 1959, natural signs of age are part of the item's history. The photos are an integral part of the description and show the actual appearance of the watch offered.

Set and Warranty

The watch is sold as a used item. The detailed scope of the set is visible in the product photos.

The product is covered by a 100-day Dial-House warranty. The warranty covers the proper functioning of the watch movement, excluding mechanical damage, water damage, improper use, natural wear of consumables, and interference by third parties.

History of the Longines Brand

Longines is one of the most renowned Swiss watch brands, with a history dating back to 1832. From the beginning, the brand built its reputation on precision, innovation, and a close association with timekeeping in sports.

In 1832, August Agassiz, along with two partners, founded a watchmaking company in Saint-Imier specializing in the production of pocket watches. In the following decades, the company grew, with Ernest Francillon playing a key role.

In 1867, Ernest Francillon consolidated previously dispersed watchmaking operations under one roof, in a factory located in an area known as "Les Longines," or "The Long Meadows." It is from this name that the brand's current name, Longines, originates. During the same period, the brand's first movement, designated 20A, was unveiled, marking the beginning of Longines' path towards more mechanized and modern watch production.

In 1889, Longines registered its classic winged hourglass logo, also associated with equestrian sports. In 1893, this mark was officially registered with international bureaus, becoming one of the oldest trademarks in continuous use to this day.

Longines also developed many important complications and watchmaking solutions. In 1908, the brand created a pocket watch for a customer from the Ottoman Empire, featuring a dial that allowed reading two time zones. In 1913, the 13.33Z calibre heralded the era of the modern wrist chronograph with 1/5-second accuracy.

In 1925, the brand presented two significant solutions: a wrist chronograph with a flyback function and two independent pushers, and a wristwatch indicating a second time zone on the dial.

History of the Flagship Collection

Longines was one of the first manufacturers to create distinct product families. One of the first such lines was the Conquest collection, introduced in 1954.

In 1956, Longines introduced the more elegant Flagship collection. This was a line of watches with a calmer, more classic character, aimed at individuals seeking an elegant mechanical watch of high-quality craftsmanship.

Flagship quickly became one of Longines' recognizable models. The collection combined classic proportions, the aesthetic of a dress watch, and reliable in-house movements. The presented timepiece from 1959 perfectly reflects the character of this line - elegant, proportionate, and technically interesting.

Key Information

Brand: Longines

Model: Flagship

Reference: 1003

Year: 1959, according to serial numbers

Movement: Longines Calibre 30L

Movement Type: Mechanical, manual-wind

Number of Jewels: 17 jewels

Movement Ligne: 13.25'''

Power Reserve: Approximately 43 hours

Operating Frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour

Movement Production Period: 1955-1967

Movement Diameter: Approximately 30 mm

Movement Height: Approximately 4 mm

Case: Stainless steel

Case Shape: Round

Case Diameter: Approximately 35.5 mm without crown

Width with Crown: Approximately 37.5 mm

Case Thickness: Approximately 9 mm

Lug to Lug: Approximately 38 mm

Case Back: Screw-down

Crown: Original, unsigned

Crystal: Hesalite / acrylic

Strap: Leather, brown

Strap Width: 18 mm

Set: As per product photos

Warranty: 100-day Dial-House warranty

Condition: Used

For questions regarding condition, operation, set, warranty, or the possibility of viewing additional photos, please contact Dial-House before purchase.