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Longines Nonius ref. 8271, early 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Longines Nonius ref. 8271, early 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Longines (maker)
Date
early 1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 40 mm
Stock no.
W-695
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-695)
Catalogue title (original)
Longines Nonius ref. 8271 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-695), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated early 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

A most unusual yet iconic Longines 1/10 th second timer… We are delighted to offer another chance for you to buy one these very unusual and rare Longines Nonius chronographs. Named after the Portuguese mathematician P Nunes, the Nonius is a minutes, seconds and 1/10th second timer. The 40mm steel cushion-shape case is in very fine condition. The three-register chronograph dial is in outstanding all-original condition with applied Longines logo. The orange chronograph hand features a unique attached-scale that can measure 1/10ths of a second. The movement is a modified manual wind Valjoux 726 calibre, the Longines 332. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and comes with a Bulang and Sons strap. Specifications - Longines Nonius - Original orange 1/10th second chrono hand - Serial 157xxxxx-Dates to early 1970s - Steel 40mm pillow-shape case - Modified Valjoux movement - Comes with a Bulang and Sons strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade single leather watch pouch

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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