From Ruins to Timeless Beauty: Restoring a Vintage Longines 9L Watch (Subscriber Giveaway!)

[@andrewmurton8379]

A beautiful watch that has been superbly restored/serviced. This watch would be a wonderful addition with my modern Longines that I received for my 25years of service to the railway in the UK. It will be cherished and worn with pride.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@rickseconds7676]

Although I own a few modern watches, you cannot beat the feeling of wearing a beautiful classic vintage watch.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I agree

[@blacklangster1141]

Good luck everyone! My best friend of over 20 years has been looking for a tank-style watch for a couple months now and this watch would be a perfect birthday present for him!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good idea

[@chiroberts]

I'm getting into watch repair myself over the last year and have learned a lot from your videos and would be honored to have such a nice watch that you restored.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck!

[@pghgb5572]

The square case reminds me of the first decent quality watch I ever owned - given to me as a present in 1975. I still have that watch, although it is no longer a daily wearer. This Longines would complement that watch and it would be a pleasure to wear it.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@raydog4u]

I would definitely love to have this beautiful vintage Longines. Longines was my first experience with a nice dress watch. My dad gave me two from the early 1960s when I was a teenager. this piece would fit nicely into my collection.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for sharing!

[@framper2008]

Nice Longines restoration! Longines is a classic Swiss watch brand and a privilege to have this vintage watch in my watch collection. Thanks!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for sharing!

[@paulschumacker9901]

These tank watches are a beautiful blend of engineering genius and magnificent artistic styling. Even more so than modern watches because the engineering was done before the age of CAD and the patina accumulated over time enhances its beauty. Holding a watch like this makes me wonder about the lives it touched many decades ago!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@ismaelcastro4823]

One of the first channels that got me to start as a hobbyst was yours, so I would be honoured to have it.

[@emilpopov4736]

In 2024 I was on a trip to Switzerland and fell in love with vintage watches. This will be my first Swiss watch, and what could be better than one with a lot of history

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@clm_watchmaking]

Lovely restoration and very generous giveaway! Good luck to everyone participating!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much and good luck

[@johannesklein1308]

Your videos provide a lot of watch repair information for free. I would be proud to wear this man's size tank watch.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I appreciate that!

[@tiberiuvincze8288]

Hello, Longines is a brand with great calibers and watches, this one is simple and elegant ! Nice one!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ppod-]

Beautiful vintage style. The finishing on the movement is of the "they don't make it like that any more" kind. I do watchmaking as a hobby myself and love this kind of watches. I think they are really underappreciated. Thank you for the video!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Right on

[@juancarlosmartinez771]

J'adore les montres carrées vintage, et Longines c'est ma marque préférée ! Excellent video comme d'hab !

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Pour info j'ai ma chaine Montre & Restauration en français

[@brentandsamdixon]

I’m a big fan of vintage watches and Longines is a brand I have wanted but not yet attained. Keep up the great work!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Pour info j'ai ma chaine Montre & Restauration en français

[@mwk9473]

I absolutely love it for that evenly patinated dial with Breguet numerals. So simple, but so stunning!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I totally agree!

[@olaaf_eu9]

I like the story behind this watch. You serviced it. If I win it, I will share it on my blog. Also, I love that I would know how it looks on the inside. Good luck, everyone.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Entered!

[@espiriti]

Merci beaucoup et profitez du temps. Good luck!

[@Mr_Berlin_James]

A very fine piece of horological history indeed. I think the time has come to add this shape to my growing vintage collection. Another great video and job well done.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Well said!

[@janelemans8049]

A beautiful watch with a huge dose of life experience. Expertly restored! I find watches with a rectangular shape very beautiful so if I win I will wear this with pride.

[@Chwigga89]

I would LOVE this watch. It gives me joy to know that this almost 100 year old timepiece (and watches in general) for the most part are built with care to be serviced, and last forever, which is just so different than other categories of items we have today, which are meant to be used and disposed of. Thank you for continuing to give life and share the passion of keeping these precious pieces going! Stunning restoration, and as much care as one could possibly provide to make sure the next owner of this watch would cherish this for more decades to come.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much and good luck

[@wowzers0_070]

I'd like this watch because I'd finally have a nice dress watch. Good luck to everyone!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@nigelmathews4281]

Beautiful watch inside and out I have a Longines Flagship and would love to gift this to my wife and then hand it down to our granddaughter in the future. Thanks for the video.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck!

[@CharlesThompson-ou7wp]

What an awesome vintage timepiece! Would love to own this piece of history! Thanks for sharing!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for watching!

[@teresamirsky8663]

Love tanks. Wish they still made them more often. Great job restoring it.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You and me both!

[@dumpsterdiner]

ACDC went through the roof @ 11:50 when that small spring didn't make it into the cleaning basket 😳 Great video btw, thx for sharing your restoration 🙏

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Cool, thanks

[@hosseinordoubadian5439]

Beautiful watch and great service. Never worked on a Longines this small. I think this watch would look lovely on my wife's wrist.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Go for it!

[@johnkucin4482]

What a wonderful informative video, your camera work and narrative commentary is great. I truly enjoy your expert watch making. I am a fan of Longings and have several in my small collection. Thank you again, wishing you all the best!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you very much!

[@martinmattes4252]

What a beautiful watch! I used to own a modern Longines, but would really love to own a classic one from the pre-Swatch era.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

They are nice indeed

[@Martin-b9l3z]

Sublime Longines! I’d love to have this watch cause I had one before and never been able to have it work well! This could be thrilling to wear it without worrying every days!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Best of luck!

[@anthonycarnevale7691]

Love the classic watches! Their style is timeless. Great job on the restoration - very well done!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jenng208]

I love how Longines made a "tank" , but with a twist. The curved crystal and Breget numerals tie it all together so well. I would wear it with joy.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@conormc1114]

Really like this piece. Art-deco is such a neat style. My collection is still missing an in-house movement. Ever since I saw the El primero, movements have become by far my favourite part of this hobby. Look forward to seeing what other interesting pieces you get in!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Conradthecook]

I’m mesmerised by those breguet numerals. To own this watch and have this saved video would be awesome.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you

[@Jim-mh3ec]

What a wonderful watch and an amazing restoration. Tank watches are very classy.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Couldn't agree more!

[@petercampbell3828]

The vintage Longines were beautiful well made watches on par with many of the best. Your work on this one was just the correct amount of restoration. Excellent!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you kindly!

[@lauravulane7025]

Very beautiful watch. My husband is a watch enthusiast, If I win it, I would give it to him as a thank you for being the best husband.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

🤞

[@mattburley3189]

Great work as always. After a really crappy decade of life, it would be great to win something that beautiful.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@davidhammond9336]

I love tank watches. As a hobbiest I have serviced a Bulova Arnold and a no brand tank watch AS 340 15j movement. They are great watches to get and to play around with for tight budgets. I would love a high end imo Longines tank to my collection. I am not at your level of repairing watches but is a rewarding hobby when you get them going again.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Bulova are great too

[@danieldayton3064]

Thanks for yet another excellent restoration video! This watch is reminiscent of the watch my grandfather used to wear. ☺

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

My pleasure!

[@dasbaby3352]

Beautiful watch with a lot of history. I have a wedding in April and this would go super well. Crossing my fingers!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Best of luck!

[@scottnicholasbaxter]

I would dearly love to own such a beautiful, elegant watch like this. Good luck everyone 🤞⌚🤩

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@adrianbirkett594]

I would love this watch, I know longinges were always true to their craft. In the quartz crisis they always kept their machines and never panicked. Today, if you have a broken wheel or whatever, they will make a part for you on the same machine it was originally made from!, this is just amazing. I would care for this watch long after I am gone. Adrian.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much Adrian

[@macrowatchman]

That looks amazing! Love the square case and numerals on this one

[@BitcoinYooper]

Always enjoy your videos. Been watching couple years now before started building mod watches. Found your channel early on and the quality and information was great for someone just getting started. Can't go wrong with a vintage piece, especially of that caliber. Thanks for the videos.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much for your support

[@alien6551]

Amazing watch iam and old timer to would love this watch on my wrist

[@Js2060]

I would like this watch because my fiancée said she loves it and she spends time with me watching watch repair videos. She also supports my watchmaking hobby. I love your content.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck!

[@stevenboesky6692]

I would love to be the new owner of this beautiful watch. Also, you're my favorite watchmaker on KZbin. You seem so knowledgeable on all watches..

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Wow, thank you!

[@Tumbleweed_Tx]

I have a similar Longines watch from the 50's. It's good for maybe 4-5 hours, I need to send it in for a service.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Yes you can send it for a service if you want to

[@heinrethasangerhaus4242]

Beautifull watch-very elegant and i just love the straps that you have put on it. I will defenately wear this watch. Small piece with huge tech for its time. Nice restoration as well.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good choice!

[@MrGrentch]

Gorgeous watch. 🙂 Vintage Longines are among my favourites. One thing I love about them is they generally didn't have "grades" of movements. They're pretty much all finished to the same high standards from their cheapest to most expensive. They were also _the_ inhouse chronograph manufacturer in the early to mid 20th century. They invented the flyback chronograph which needed two pushers so they invented that too(not Breitling). First to have a second timezone(Zulu/GMT)and the first to have the external rotating bezel we see on dove watches, but theirs were for pilot's watches. They also won more Swiss chronometer trials than any other brand. Your watch looks to be a US market watch alright. Longines got into partnership and later bought the US Wittnauer brand as a way to avoid the heavy duties and taxes on imported watches, particularly in precious metal. They shipped the movements to their Longines/Wittnauer factory in New York to be regulated and cased up with locally made cases. This was such a success for Longines that other brands took notice and Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre got into an agreement with Longines to bring in and case their movements as Vacheron Constantin and LeCoultre branded watches for the US market.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much for all this information

[@davidanstice]

It is so beautiful! Thats why I would like to win it. Great videos, thank you for what you do to inspire us.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck!

[@etienneguyot9069]

Superbe travail sur ce magnifique mouvement. Quelle patience admirable... Bonne année !

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Merci et bonne année. La semaine prochaine sera sur ma chaine en français

[@theintrnationlst]

Beautiful watch and very nice video! I collect mid-century American watches and would love to add this piece to the collection.

[@Encabulatrices]

I'm sure you know but didn't exactly say: although the brass and steel parts of the balance both expand with increasing temperature, their difference is actually used to make the radius of the balance contract. (This speeds the rate of the watch because the largest variation being compensated for is the reduction in the elastic coefficient of the hairspring with increasing temperature, which slows it.) But there are other subtleties - they reached an amazing level of sophistication. Thanks for another nice video; I like your contagious admiration for the beautiful engineering!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much for the comment

[@velviaman3206]

I love movements shaped to exactly fit the case. Longines were top quality then. Op

[@benjamins.3664]

Omg, one of my favorite watch, ever 0_0. Very hard to find in a good shape, you did an amazing job. Toutes mes félicitations :)

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you so much 😀

[@wannabe_sailor_777smith6]

Very handsome vintage Longines. The reason I would like this watch is I have a few vintage rectangular but not a Longines. I would love this watch and would WEAR IT OFTEN. Thanks in advance !

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Well said!

[@paulpadilla6913]

Another great video! I have one of these L9 movements I started when I first began working on watches and it has sat in a box as I was not experienced enough to get the beat error to a respectable level. This has motivated me to start this project again.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

That is awesome!

[@desertdog5397]

you did a great job of restoration on that watch..

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

🥰

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@ABC-rh7zc]

What a lovely watch. Classy design and golden hues. Would be my first rectangular watch :)

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good choice!

[@gordonbarr6263]

I love the square face watch’s.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Me too

[@sermanacciu2b]

Très fan des montres vintages comme ça, en plus maintenant on sait qu'elle fonctionne ! J'aime beaucoup le cadran

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Vous pouvez voir ma chaine Montre et Restauration en fraçais la semaine prochaine

[@holtzman72]

Well done! I want to own this one as it would be a gem in any watch collection. I have some vintage watches but not from the 30-s.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@joelboyce8961]

What a beautiful Longines Would love to add this gem to my collection❤️😎🤘

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You should!

[@tmmkk1]

Beautiful job. I also like the Longines cals

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I do too

[@mariomartin6437]

I don’t have a Longine in my collection. I would wear it proudly.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@peterscherff1357]

I would love to get my hands on this nice watch. I want to clean and plate the tube in order to make the watch perfect!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck!

[@giorgiogrlj]

I got enough by watching this video. Thanks to share your knowledge and skill with us.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sholym2341]

Nice work as always, and beautiful watch. I would like to have rectangular watch in my collection, and this type of vintage watch is perfect.

[@Adrian2000ization]

excellent job! I have a little Bulova collection of tank watches, Longines is a gorgeous watch and movement!

[@TheRIckFu]

Wow, amazing restoration! I really enjoy seeing the love and care you put into this project. As a massive fan of dress watches (as they are simple, elegant, and classic), I would love to provide a new home for that vintage Longines! In fact, I actually own a vintage IWC cal 89 as a graduation gift/first watch (it is the perfect watch imo) and am looking to expand to different styles and start a collection; I’ve been eying tank/rectangular watches lately so the vintage Longines would really fit within my emerging collection. But anyways, thank you for sharing such a beautiful watch!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Funny, I am restoring an IWC cal 89 right now

[@samnova450]

Amazing how tiny the parts are, wonder how Longines mast produced the parts. Great job on the watch.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good question!

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you so much for sharing this video on the restoration of a wonderfully beautiful movement: 👍👌👏! You just have to love the old watchmakers. Today's watches often come with a sapphire case back, so that you can enjoy watching the movement at work. However, in most cases perlage is only used where you can see it (IWC is a good example of that), so you are being tricked. And if you buy a new watch with a metal case back, hallelujah! Panerai Brooklyn Bridge anyone - 🤪!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you too!

[@jesnuk]

I would love to wear this vintage beauty.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@ivanvazquez1282]

Excellente vidéo ! Je débute depuis peu dans le monde de l'horlogerie, et ce serait magnifique de posséder un bijou aussi exceptionnel que cette belle Longines vintage !

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

La semaine prochaine sur ma chaine Montre et Restauration

[@GWhiite]

I’ve been searching for a tank style watch for sometime, and I’m in love with the breguet style numerals and gold plating on this. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Love them too

[@CAFFEINATEDChronometer]

Good work as always 🥂

[@steekyg]

fantastic video as usual. ive been wanting to get my wife in to watches and think this would be the perfect one for her first

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good choice!

[@johnnyjohnson942]

Nice! I really like Longines..

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

The best!

[@sitandfish]

Two phrases that will get my head to turn: 'Vintage Longines' and 'beautiful woman'. 😉

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Love that!

[@simonkrecic507]

Beautiful watch and restoration. I would like to give it to my wife. Happy wife - happy life 😉🥰

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You should!

[@simonkrecic507]

@@FrenchWatchCollector bravo for your videos! I watch them all the time ⏱️🔝👍

[@TimeToTrove]

I would love to have this watch to add to my collection I never had a longines Watch so looking forward to. Nice piece ! And like allways great restoration bro keep up the good work !! 👌

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You're in!

[@legnisstudio]

My oldest watch in the collection is from the 50's, so why not an older one 🙂. Cheers from Romania.

[@toddmatke1950]

Thank you for another great video! I would wear this watch often if I won it ❤

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thanks for watching!

[@slimjimmcsausage1279]

Une belle petite montre 🤟. J'aimerais vraiment avoir une Longines.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Le semaine prochaine sur la chaine Montre et Restauration en français

[@RonnyLvseth-od3il]

A beautiful watch😍😍would love to have it😊👍

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Best of luck

[@JánosiCsanád-w1c]

Very nice watch! ❤ good work!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you very much!

[@jonathanacevedo6466]

Hermoso resultado final buena restauración salud2 desde Colombia

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@xyz_chain4199]

Never been a fan of tank watches but this could and would be my first to the collection and also the first swiss made one 😅， been collecting seikos and citizens for a while now and I might need a slight shift of interest

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@WatchWithMike]

Awesome! I'm editing a video for a very similar Longines 9LT, and wearing it right now. They are beautiful timepieces! 😁

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

I'll check it out!

[@WatchWithMike]

@ Thanks! I'm hoping to have it finished any day now… Congrats again on your restoration, and good luck with the giveaway!

[@Martin_Breu]

What a true beauty, i always liked the shape of the Cartier Tank or an JLC Reverso, but cant afford one. 😢

[@artemivanov7912]

Size reminds me of one watch i once presented to a close friend :)

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@valmonta3647]

Nice watch, thanks for restoring it for me lol 🤩

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

You’re welcome 😊

[@reyortegon7709]

Great content, would love to win this watch , I don’t have any Swiss made watches, I know this brand has been around for a long time and would be great in my collection.

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Entered!

[@dumpitinhere]

Great job on restoring this. My first Swiss watch was a modern Longines and a vintage example would really complement it 😀

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

👍

[@pychoncy]

I want the watch to wear it daily!

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Good luck

[@orvillefindley8117]

Thats a very nice watch. 👍

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

Thank you

[@Tom_Kowalczuk]

I would love to get that watch and give to my daughter as she finishing hers masters degree this year and I can't afford the Tank ;-)

[@FrenchWatchCollector]

That would be nice