Overview
This is a classic Swiss-made dress watch featuring a rectangular 'tank' case and a distinctive textured 'bark' finish across the bezel and integrated bracelet.
Preliminary identification
Longines Quartz Two-Tone 'Bark Finish' Tank Watch, c. 1980s
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
The 1980s was a decade of radical transformation for the Swiss watch industry, as legendary houses like Longines had to reinvent themselves to compete with the high-tech quartz revolution.
Maker / Origin
Founded in 1832, Longines is one of the oldest and most respected names in Swiss horology, holding the record for the oldest unchanged trademark in the world—the winged hourglass.
Condition & Value
The watch shows visible wear consistent with age, particularly some fading of the gold-tone plating on the high points of the textured bracelet. The dial appears clean and the crystal seems free of major chips. Functionality is the key variable; if the movement has been damaged by a leaking old battery, the value drops significantly.
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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 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD