Longines "Tre Tacche" Vintage - 4.000€

The Longines Tre Tacche is an iconic timepiece highly sought after by vintage watch collectors. Its name, "Tre Tacche," translates to "three notches" in Italian, referring to the three indentations on the screw-down case back that allow it to be opened with a specialized tool. Produced between the 1930s and 1950s, the Tre Tacche was designed to be a reliable and robust watch, often used by military personnel, explorers, and sports enthusiasts.
 

The watch is notable for its stainless steel case, a rarity during its time, which provided durability and resistance to wear. The screw-down case back with the three notches enhanced water resistance, making it a technical innovation of the era. The Tre Tacche was powered by Longines' renowned mechanical calibers, such as, in this case, the 10.68Z, but also its variants, celebrated for their precision and reliability. The dials varied across models, typically featuring a clean, utilitarian design with Arabic numerals or luminous indexes, and sometimes showcasing a two-tone "sector" style.
 

With case sizes ranging from 30mm to 35mm, the Tre Tacche was compact by modern standards but perfectly suited to the tastes of its time. Its understated elegance and functional design have ensured its timeless appeal. Vintage collectors prize these watches for their rarity and originality, particularly those with unrestored, original dials. The value of a Tre Tacche depends on its condition, provenance, and unique features, with prices reflecting their scarcity and historical importance.
 

The Longines Tre Tacche remains a testament to the brand’s legacy in crafting dependable and sophisticated timepieces. While Longines has occasionally drawn inspiration from its vintage designs for modern reissues, the authenticity and charm of an original Tre Tacche are unmatched.

This reference 3777 from 1939 which comes with Extract of the Archives features a stainless steel vintage bracelet, a stunning patinated dial with highly legible Arabic numerals, a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, and blued baton hands, giving it a magnificent look further enhanced by the exquisite gadroons on the bezel. It was originally delivered to Israel.