Which Longines pieces hold their value
- Vintage chronographs on the 13ZN and 30CH calibres, which are among the most collected movements Longines ever made and trade far above the modern range
- The Heritage reissues, which are produced in smaller numbers than the mainstream collections and hold their price noticeably better
- An extract from the archives, which Longines will supply for a fee against the serial number and which confirms the original dial, case and date of sale
- Original dials with even, undisturbed ageing, because on vintage Longines the dial is most of the value and honest patina outsells a refinish
And what pulls the price down
- Redialled vintage watches, where the dial has been reprinted during a service — this is extremely common on Longines and cuts the price by more than half
- Modern quartz models from the mainstream collections, which were made in volume and have a shallow resale floor
- Gold-plated cases from the 1970s and 1980s where the plating has worn through at the lugs and the case edges, which cannot be repaired invisibly
- Mismatched movements and cases on vintage pieces, which the archive extract will expose immediately and which buyers treat as a parts watch
Identifying and dating yours
These are the checks that decide which end of the range a piece sits in, and they are the facts a serious buyer will ask for:
- The movement serial is engraved on the calibre itself, under the caseback, and it is the number the archive service works from — it is worth opening for
- The reference is stamped inside the caseback; on vintage pieces the winged hourglass logo should be struck into the metal rather than printed
- Compare the dial printing against the reference: incorrect fonts and a logo that sits slightly off centre are the usual signs of a reprinted dial
WishThrift does not authenticate or inspect anything. Condition and origin are described by the seller against five grades — what each one means — so photograph the markings above rather than asserting them.
What Longines items are worth
The most-searched Longines items on the site, with the band the label typically commands against the generic range for the same item:
| Item | Longines range | Any brand |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Watch | £69–£690 | £60–£600 (~$92–$919) |
| Vintage Watch | £57–£575 | £50–£500 (~$76–$766) |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price.
Every Longines value guide
Selling Longines on WishThrift
Listing is free and there is no commission on either side — the price you agree with the buyer is the amount you keep, whatever the label is worth. Create a free account, or read the selling guides for what to photograph and how to price.
Frequently asked questions
Is used Longines worth buying?
It depends far more on the line than the label. Longines sits in an unusual place: a genuinely old Swiss name whose modern watches depreciate like any mid-market brand, while its pre-1970 chronographs are chased hard by collectors. Each guide below says which Longines lines hold their value for that item and which have almost none, so you are comparing like for like rather than paying for the name alone.
How do I check a piece is genuine Longines?
The movement serial is engraved on the calibre itself, under the caseback, and it is the number the archive service works from — it is worth opening for. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything — condition and origin are described by the seller, so ask directly and expect an answer. A seller who has the item will send a photograph of the marking in minutes.
What is used Longines worth?
Across the 2 guides here, from about £57 to £690 (roughly $76 to $919) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts.
See also: value guides by brand · all value guides · buying guides · selling guides · condition grades.