Preliminary identification

Longines Quartz 'Bark Finish' Integrated Dress Watch, c. 1980s

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

A quintessential 1980s Swiss dress watch featuring a rectangular 'tank' style case and a distinctive integrated bracelet with a textured 'bark' finish.

Story

The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a period of radical reinvention for Swiss watchmakers as they navigated the 'Quartz Crisis' by blending traditional elegance with new electronic technology.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1832, Longines holds the distinction of having the oldest unchanged registered trademark in the world—the famous winged hourglass.

Condition & Value

The watch shows honest wear consistent with age, particularly on the high points of the textured bracelet links where the plating may be thinning. The dial appears clean, though the functionality of the quartz movement would need to be verified with a fresh battery to ensure no historical leakage.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps

Regional auction

· Jun 2024

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

$1,280

SOLD

Dealer archive

· Mar 2024

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

$1,450

SOLD

Marketplace sale

· Jan 2024

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

$980

SOLD

Estate platform

· Oct 2023

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

$1,150

SOLD

Auction result

· Aug 2023

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.

$1,375

SOLD