Specifications
- Year: Estimated mid-1970s
- Reference: 847.6437
- Lug Width: 18mm
- Case Material: Gold-plated
- Crown: Blue cabochon crown
- Movement: Manual-winding Cal. L.847.4
- Dial: Gold basket-weave patterned dial
- Markers: Gold-tone dot markers with a single diamond at 12 o’clock
Overall Impression
This time, I’m taking a look at a vintage Longines from the 1970s, featuring a distinctive basket-weave dial.
What stands out most about this watch is its gold dial and its unique appearance.
At first glance, the dial looks like a simple gold-tone design, but its surface features a fine pattern that resembles a woven texture. The way light falls across it creates subtle variations in shade, giving the dial a different look depending on the angle.
The hour markers are mainly gold-tone markers, with a single diamond at 12 o’clock. It’s a subtle detail, but it naturally draws the eye without standing out too much.
The case has a rounded shape, somewhere between a round and a cushion case. Its soft lines, without sharply defined corners, give the watch a calm and understated look.
The small, slim case has the understated look typical of a vintage dress watch. Its compact size also allows it to sit naturally on the wrist, which is another part of its appeal.
Another detail worth mentioning is the blue cabochon on the crown.
Against the predominantly gold exterior, the deep blue creates a nice contrast. It adds another point of interest, in a different way from the diamond on the dial.
Movement
Caliber: Longines L.847.4
The L.847.4 is a slim, manual-winding movement used by Longines in the 1970s.
It has 17 jewels, beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and measures approximately 2.5mm in thickness.
It is quite slim for a mechanical manual-winding movement. Its thin profile works well with the watch’s small, slim case, helping to maintain the neat proportions typical of a vintage dress watch.
Strap & Styling
The watch originally had a blue leather strap, but I’ve since changed it to a brown leather strap.
The blue strap worked well with the blue cabochon on the crown, creating a coordinated look. Switching to brown has given the watch a more classic and understated feel.
It also pairs nicely with the gold case and dial, bringing out the warm tones often associated with vintage watches.
I think being able to change the overall look of a watch simply by changing the strap is one of the enjoyable parts of wearing watches.
Conclusion
The basket-weave dial, the diamond at 12 o’clock, and the crown with its blue cabochon.
Each is a small detail, but together they give the watch its distinctive look.
Although the overall design is centered around gold, the texture of the dial and the touch of blue add variety to the look.
