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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Longines 30CH Ref. 5982-1 Chronograph Wristwatch

Partially verified

This vintage Longines reference 5982-1 chronograph wristwatch features a 38 mm stainless steel case. According to the auction catalog, the watch houses a hand-winding caliber 30CH movement that starts, stops, and flies back to zero. The light dial has subsidiary continuous seconds and 30-minute registers, applied hour markers with Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, and concentric outer tachymeter and telemetric tracks. The watch is fitted with rectangular chronograph pushers, a grooved winding crown, and an aftermarket black leather cuff-style strap.

Front view of Longines 30CH reference 5982-1 chronograph dial and stainless steel case
Front view of Longines 30CH reference 5982-1 chronograph dial and stainless steel case — Hess Fine Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
5982-1
Catalogue / lot identifier
8460
Source-reported date
Circa 1950
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and External Construction

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 38 mm in width. External observations include an acrylic crystal, a grooved winding crown, and rectangular chronograph pushers. The watch is presented on a black leather strap, which the auction house explicitly states is not a Longines brand product.

Condition reports from the source note the presence of mild scratches on the acrylic crystal and general wear to the case, as well as minor wear on the strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Size: 38mm wide”
  • “Material: Stainless steel case, black leather strap”
  • “some mild scratches on acrylic crystal, case displays some wear”
  • “strap displays minor wear and is not Longines brand”

Dial Configuration

The dial is described as having some wear and features two subsidiary registers. It is accented with baton index markers and Arabic numerals at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

The dial layout includes concentric outer tracks, specifically a tachymeter scale along the rim and an inner telemetric track.

Evidence for this section
  • “A little wear to dial”
  • “Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock alongside baton index markers.”
  • “Outer tachymeter scale printed along the rim with an inner telemeter track calibrated in kilometers.”

Mechanism and Operational Status

The timepiece is powered by a hand-winding movement designated as a Longines caliber 30CH. The auction house reports that the movement is running and the chronograph functions—specifically starting, stopping, and the flyback-to-zero mechanism—are operational.

The source includes a recommendation that the watch undergo an overhaul at the buyer's expense to ensure optimal timekeeping accuracy.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement Type: Hand Winding”
  • “Movement is running, chronograph starts stops and flies back to 0”
  • “for optimum timekeeping accuracy we suggest an overhaul at buyers expense”

Open research questions

  • Does the case back carry the reference number 5982-1?
  • Can the caliber 30CH be verified through physical inspection of the movement markings to confirm factory originality?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines 30CH Ref. 5982-1 Chronograph Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Calibre30CH“Longines 30CH Ref 5982-1 Jumbo Chronograph Mens Vintage Wrist Watch”
Reference Number5982-1“Longines 30CH Ref 5982-1 Jumbo Chronograph Mens Vintage Wrist Watch”
Case Size38mm wide“Case Size: 38mm wide”
Movement TypeHand Winding“Movement Type: Hand Winding”
Circa1950“Circa: 1950”
MaterialStainless steel case, black leather strap“Material: Stainless steel case, black leather strap”
Lot Number8460“Lot 8460”
Circa Date1950“Circa: 1950”
Total Weight56.3 grams“Weight: 56.3 grams”
Total Length9 inches“Total Length: 9 inches”

Visible details

  • Light-colored dial with two subsidiary registers at 3 and 9 o'clock.
  • Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock alongside baton index markers.
  • Outer tachymeter scale printed along the rim with an inner telemeter track calibrated in kilometers.
  • Central chronograph seconds hand aligned vertically at 12 o'clock.
  • Fitted with rectangular chronograph pushers and an aftermarket black leather cuff band.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement is not visible in the provided image; caliber 30CH designation is source-reported.
  • Case back is not depicted.
  • Strap is explicitly stated in the source to be non-Longines.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Longines 30ch Ref 5982-1 Jumbo Chronograph Mens Vintage Wrist Watch - Aug 31, 2024 | Hess Fine Auctions In Fl

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6d8b99694f

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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