Pre-Owned Longines Tre-Tacche 4142
$11,150.00
Why we love it
In our opinion, Longines doesn't quite get the respect that they deserve.
That is not to say that they aren't held in high regard. But the level of innovation, craftsmanship, and design that Longines has demonstrated over the course of their existence simply cannot be understated, and certainly extends to a wide variety of timepieces across the board.
These "Tre-Tacche" watches from the late 1930s and 1940s, however, have developed a cult-like following amongst vintage enthusiasts. The name references its unique 3-notched caseback which requires a special tool to remove, but the watch itself is perhaps the most pure execution of a no-frills robust "tool" watch before there were tool watches.
In excellent condition throughout, this Reference 4142 features a blued steel handset, luminous Arabic indices, a large winding crown and a stunning dial that has turned to a light-champagne color. But the case is perhaps the greatest component of this watch... the combination of a 35mm "stepped" case with fixed bars hammers this piece home as a no-frills daily wearable vintage piece. Additionally, this watch includes an extract from the Longines archive, confirming the watch was originally sold to South Africa in 1941.
In terms of elegant design and horological prowess, this a watch that ticks many boxes in the eye of the vintage enthusiast.
Don't miss it!
The Story
Founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Longines was at the sharp end of the watchmaking spear. Constantly innovating, they were a company to be compared with the other major Swiss manufactures. By 1919, Longines was the official supplier of timepieces for the International Aeronautical Federation, working to develop highly accurate navigation chronometers for many of the era's great aviation pioneers.
Most famous among Longines' forays into navigation pieces is probably the Lindberg Hour Angle watch, a wristwatch designed by Charles Lindberg in conjunction with the brand to allow aviators to calculate, with the help of a sextant and their latitude, their exact geographic location.
From the 1930s to the 1950s, Longines also put out a series of simply stunning time-only watches. Often referred to as calatravas after the iconic model by Patek Philippe, most of these watches had thin stainless steel cases at 34mm, a standard size for the time. Like the Patek Philippe Calatrava, these watches by Longines were known for their perfect proportions and the elegant simplicity of their designs.
Standard Delivery (Est 1-3 Days) - Free
Our secure shipping service delivers Monday - Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. For security purposes, every delivery requires an adult signature; Watches of Switzerland does not deliver to P.O. boxes nor third party forwarding services. To find out more about delivery, click here. Tracking information is available upon request.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order, Watches of Switzerland E-Commerce Team can be reached at 1-844-4-USAWOS (1-844-487-2967), option 1, during the following times (Eastern Time):
- Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
- Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day
Alternatively, you can email the E-commerce team at ecommerce@watchesofswitzerland.com.
Returns Policy
Our commitment to you does not end at delivery. We offer the following return services to make your experience as pleasant as possible.
10-Day Returns For Timepieces:Timepieces purchased online can be returned or exchanged within 10 days from when they are shipped or collected.
30-Day Returns For All Other Purchases:All other online purchases can be returned or exchanged within 30 days from when they are shipped or collected.
On presentation of the original receipt, your purchases may be returned or exchanged at any of our store locations. Alternatively, you may elect shipping to our facility with all the original paperwork. All refunds must be credited to the same tender used for the original purchase. To return the online purchases through secure shipping service, please contact our client service team who will provide you the shipping label.
All returns or exchanges must be in new, unworn condition, with no scratches or markings, not sized or adjusted and in their original packaging and with warranty cards / certificated and instruction booklets.
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