Serial Number Guide

Longines
Serial Number Lookup

Free tool to identify your Longines watch production year by serial number. Longines maintains one of the most complete movement records in Swiss watchmaking — dating back to 1867.

Lookup Tool

Enter Your Serial Number

Enter the movement serial number from your Longines. Modern Longines (post-1990) show the serial on the caseback. Older models: the serial is on the movement itself, visible when the caseback is opened by a watchmaker.

Production Table

Longines Serial Numbers by Year

Longines has maintained production records since 1867. The serial numbers below represent approximate start-of-year serial numbers. Longines serials run sequentially — higher serial = later production year.

YearSerial StartYearSerial Start
1867119304,600,000
1880100,00019405,600,000
1890400,00019506,800,000
19001,000,00019609,500,000
19102,000,000197014,000,000
19203,200,000198021,000,000
19253,900,000199026,000,000
19355,100,000200029,000,000
19456,000,000201032,000,000
19557,500,000202036,000,000
196511,000,000202538,000,000
197517,000,000
About Longines

Longines: Founded 1832, Saint-Imier

Longines was founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Jura, Switzerland by Auguste Agassiz. The brand holds the title of the world's oldest watchmaker still using the same name — a remarkable 190+ year continuous heritage. Longines became one of the first Swiss companies to introduce mechanized watchmaking, and by the late 19th century was producing movements at a scale and precision that established Switzerland's industrial watchmaking reputation.

The brand's precision heritage is documented: Longines was the official timekeeper for major international sporting events — the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, the America's Cup, and world athletics championships. Their timing instruments set standards that influenced the entire precision timekeeping industry.

Today, Longines is part of the Swatch Group and occupies the accessible luxury tier — quality Swiss movements with genuine heritage at more accessible prices than the independent prestige houses. Vintage Longines movements from the 1950s–1970s (particularly the calibre 30L, 19AS, and 20AS families) are highly regarded by collectors for their finishing quality and accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Longines Serial Number FAQ

Modern Longines (post-1990): serial number is engraved on the caseback. Vintage Longines: serial is on the movement plate, requiring caseback removal. Note that Longines used movement serials as their primary system — the number on the movement is the definitive reference for dating. The caseback engraving on modern models reflects the movement serial.
For movements with serials above 12,000,000 (approximately 1900+), Longines Heritage offers an official Archive Extract service through their website or authorized retailers. The extract provides exact production date, calibre reference, original dial and hands description, and original retailer. This is one of the most comprehensive archive services in Swiss watchmaking and provides definitive historical documentation for insurance, estate, or collector purposes.
Vintage Longines from the 1950s–1970s has a dedicated collector community. The calibre 30L, 19AS, and 20AS movements are particularly prized for their quality. Condition of dial and original hands is the primary value driver — original unrestored dials with honest patina are preferred over refinished examples. High-quality examples from this era can reach $500–$3,000+ depending on reference, condition, and documentation.
Longines and Rolex operate in different market tiers. Longines (part of Swatch Group) focuses on accessible Swiss luxury — quality movements, genuine heritage, at $600–$3,000 retail. Rolex operates at $6,000–$40,000+ retail with significantly higher secondary market premiums. Both are genuine Swiss manufacturers; Rolex occupies a more exclusive position and holds value far more aggressively on the secondary market. Longines is an excellent entry point into Swiss watchmaking at accessible pricing.

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