Longines Flagship 4427 3 (1973)

Now available at auction from Second Vintage A classic vintage Longines Flagship elevated by a beautiful dark brushed dial. This 1973 example presents a striking and exceptionally clean face that commands immediate attention. Paired with a reliable manual-wind movement and featuring an interesting piece of provenance via a Japanese corporate retirement engraving on the caseback, it offers a distinct character for the vintage watch enthusiast. Brand: Longines Model: Flagship Reference Number: 4427 3 Serial Number: 51366410 Movement: Manual wind caliber 428 Dial: Dark grey vertically brushed with applied gold-tone indices Case Size: 33 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-tone with stainless steel caseback Production Year: 1973 Condition: Good vintage condition. Timegrapher: +26+29s/day, running strong and steady. Dial and Hands The striking dark grey dial features a refined vertical brushing technique that plays beautifully with the light, creating subtle shifts in tone. Applied gold-tone indices and the signature winged hourglass logo provide a sharp, legible contrast against the dark background. The dial surface remains exceptionally clean, completely free from visible spotting or damage, while the crisp white printed text is perfectly preserved. Simple, well-preserved gold-tone stick hands match the indices seamlessly and show a clean finish with only minimal signs of oxidation. Case and Crystal The gold-tone case presents heavily worn lower edges that contrast notably with the well-preserved face of the watch. Significant plating loss and pitting are clearly visible on the lower edges and the underside of the case, along with scratches and handling marks present throughout the exterior surfaces. The watch features a signed gold-tone crown bearing the Longines name and winged hourglass logo, maintaining good definition on its knurling. The stainless steel caseback displays an interesting Japanese corporate retirement engraving, adding a layer of personal history. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, remaining clear with only minor surface scratches typical of acrylic material, showing no major cracks or chips. Movement Inside is the Longines manual wind caliber 428, featuring 17 jewels. The movement displays clean plates and bridges with no visible corrosion or significant scratches, while the screw heads appear in good condition. The caliber is fully signed with Longines Watch Co Swiss engravings and the matching serial number. The timegrapher recorded +26+29s/day. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. Strap The timepiece is fitted with an attractive black leather strap featuring an alligator pattern and beige contrast stitching. The strap shows light wear and perfectly complements the dark, brushed tones of the dial. Condition Good vintage condition. The dial and hands are remarkably well-preserved, standing out as the strongest visual assets of the watch. The gold-tone case shows heavy wear, specifically significant plating loss and pitting on the underside and lower edges, alongside general scratches throughout. The acrylic crystal has minor surface scratches but remains clear. The movement is clean and fully operational. Dimensions The case measures 33 mm (excluding the crown). Remarks This Longines Flagship offers a highly attractive vertically brushed dial and a clean manual-wind caliber 428. Despite the notable wear to the case plating, the exceptional preservation of the dial makes it a handsome and compelling vintage dress watch with excellent visual presence on the wrist. History The Longines Flagship line was introduced in 1957 and quickly became one of the brand's most successful and recognizable dress watch collections. Known for elegant profiles and reliable mechanical movements, the Flagship represented Longines' commitment to refined traditional watchmaking during the mid-century period. The caliber 428 is a respected manual-wind movement that provided dependable service in many of the brand's slim dress models during the late 1960s and 1970s. Today, vintage Flagship models remain highly appreciated for their classic proportions and enduring design language. / Second Vintage SKU: LON-TXX-0001