FS: Longines L.990 18k Rose Gold

[MAWhite]

Longines Ernest Francillon L.990
Model L2.637.8
Solid 18k 35mm rose gold case (even though it looks yellow in my pics)with Clous de Paris decoration on both sides
White dial with applied 18k Roman numerals and case matching Clous de Paris hob-nail pattern
Saphire exhibition back with 18k raised relief bust of Ernest Francillon
Logines signed crown and tang buckle
Original MSRP approx $8k

This package is all complete and original including;
All boxes (the beautiful hard woood inner box is something you usually see on watches costing many times more)
Instruction booklet
Dealer signed warranty card
Longines suede cloth
Original Longines black strap

I will also include the brand new bolack Sirtoli alligator strap pictured.

Condition is an easy TZ 95% near mint.

As beautiful as this piece is the real show stopper is the uber rare Longines in-house manufacturer L.990 automatic movement.

The following are details "borrowed" from another site that best describle this technical marvel;



The Caliber L990 History

The Longines L990 is a movement that is highly revered by watch collectors. It is often said to be one of the finest automatic movements ever made and it's continued use in very high grade watches today speaks highly of its design.

In 1975 Longines released the Calibre 890 automatic movement. It's defining feature was the twin, stacked mainspring barrels that gave the high-beat movement a longer power reserve while simultaneously decreasing the torque (and stress) on the rest of the movement. Another advantage of the twin barrel arrangement was a flattened power curve, giving the movement greater isochronism.
In 1977 the design was further refined and updated with the introduction of the L990.1 automatic movement. Its height was reduced from 5.2 to 2.96 mm by placing the twin barrels side by side and simplifying the automatic system to wind in one direction only. In this configuration it remained the flattest automatic movement for close to a decade and is still regarded as a very advanced design. The Caliber 990 (and its variants) was the last automatic movement to be manufactured by Longines.

It was produced as the 992 (no date), the 993 (no date, no seconds) and 994 (w/ date, no seconds) with either 25 (.1) or 17 (.2) jewels. Within a decade of its introduction, rising costs coupled with the onslaught of inexpensive quartz technology caused Longines to begin outsourcing all of their mechanical movements. The irony is that Longines was part of the consortium of Swiss manufacturers that pioneered the Beta 21, the first ever quartz movement, thereby sealing their own fate as a movement manufacturer.

Lemania purchased the design and presumably the tooling for the Longines L990 and began producing it as a Lemania Caliber 8810. In 1991 its design was refined in some respects and released as the 8815. The 8815 was expanded into a host of other movements including a skeletonized version (8881), one with a perpetual calendar (8840) and one with a quarter repeater (8860). The Lemania 8815 and its variants are currently used in a variety of watches from Breguet and a few other mostly high-grade manufacturers (a rare, more affordable watch with this movement was produced by RGM for a Time Zone limited edition watch in 1999).







Priced at $3,995 which includes next day delivery fully insured in the CONUSA.

Intenational sales are welcome but additional shipping charges will apply.
Payment via bank wire only.
Sorry no trades.

I've got a ton of TZ, WN, TRF & OTD references so feel free to call or text me with any questions or requests.
Best,
Mike
314-283-6666

[MAWhite]

motivated seller looking for a fair offer

[MAWhite]

Would consider a white dial Rolex EXP 2 "A" serial or newer in like condition +/- cash.

Best,
Mike

[MAWhite]

bump