For sale we have a rare and beautiful example of a 1962 Longines Flagship. It is the reference 3108-2 which has a sweep central second, with the date window neatly balanced at 12 O’clock. It has a silver dial with a linear brushed finish which catches the light. 
The automatic calibre 351 movement is highly unusual and of great quality.
 
The Flagship is admired for its simplicity and sophistication, making it a joy to wear. It is clear to see why this model has been subject to re-editions by Longines over the years. First released in 1957 the Flagship collection was one of the first named models by the brand. A leading figure for the brand, the model was proudly adorned with the Flagship name to the dial, with the golden caravel with trimmed black enamel to the screw back. 
 
The Stainless-Steel case is well proportioned measuring 35mm x 35mm, with a 44mm lug-to-lug length. At 11mm deep, it sits neatly on the wrist. This is aided by the tapered lug design. The lugs are a straight design, with bevelled edges that catch the light. The circular bezel is polished and has a faceted finish which frames the crystal neatly. The sides of the case are polished and straight with a notched central section, before bevelling towards the case back. The result of all of the above is a sharp case design, with angular design which provides many faces for the light to reflect from. To the right is the original Longines signed crown. To the rear is the screwback with the flagship medallion to the centre and black enamel signing.
 
The location of the date window may seem a minor consideration, but to have it at 12 O’clock adds significant symmetry and balance to a dial. It allows the larger double bevelled markers at 9, 3 and 6 to match, with the logo sitting below the date window at 12. The font used for the Arabic date wheel is stylish.
The silver dial is great, with its linear brushed finish. The wedge-shaped applied hour markers have a facetted mirror polish finish with lume plots to the base. There is simple Longines signing with applied winged hourglass logo. It is signed with the three stars and flagship name below. It is signed Swiss Made to the base. The sword style hands are bevelled to the centre and shine in the light. They have lume in-fill to the centre. There is a thin and elegant sweep central second hand.
 
The cal 351 is a beautiful movement, which had a short-lived run of around 2 years. It has a jewel count of 17, with a frequency of 19,800 BPH and a 43-hour power reserve. It has a unique ball-bearing rotor with peripheral gear out of centre. This is the first thing that catches the eye when examining the movement, due to the unusual design. It also has a large balance. The date is advanced by cycling between 22:30 – 24 hours.
 
It comes complete with its original box and signed paperwork from 1962. The watch was purchased from Bornand & Cie, Grand’rue 64, Montreux. 
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is in good original condition. It has a couple of small scratches between 4 and 5 O’clock. Other than this, it is in very good condition with no other marks. The applied hour markers and logo have a good shine to the polished finish. 
 
Hands: 
The luminous sword style hour and minute hand are original, in silver tone with some slight corrosion to the finish. The central second hand is good and original. The luminous finish to the hour hand is original with some gaps. The minute hand has been relumed.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is original and has some slight scratches. 
 
Crown: 
The Stainless crown is original with Longines logo.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in good original and un-polished condition. It has light surface scratching with some nicks to the lugs. The bevels on the lugs are good and sharp. 
 
Caseback:
The screw back is Stainless Steel and is in good unpolished condition for the age. It has light surface scratching. There are some small marks from poor opening. The original circular graining to the medallion surround remains. The centre medallion is in very good condition with good definition and the original enamel signing being complete.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on new genuine leather strap. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Longines cal 351. It is an automatic movement with sweep central second. It has a jewel count of 17 and a frequency of 19,800 BPH. 
 
The service history is unknown, but the movement is in good condition and is keeping good time. It’s keeping time to +/- 8 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 280 degrees and a beat error of 0.1m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 35.5mm
Case width with crown: 37mm 
Case length: 35mm
Case length lug to lug: 44mm
Case Depth: 11mm
Lug width: 18mm