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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Mystery dial wristwatch

Longines Comet 'Mystery Dial'

Partially verified

The Longines Comet is a manually wound wristwatch dating to the late 1960s, documented as Reference 8475. It features a 35mm stainless steel cushion-shaped case and a distinctive dial characterized by rotating discs that provide a 'mystery' display, bypassing conventional central hands. The dial displays concentric teal blue and white fields with Arabic numerals at cardinal positions and minute hash marks. An arrow-shaped indicator serves for the hour, while a circular luminous marker denotes the minutes. The watch is powered by a manually wound Longines Calibre 702 movement. It is fitted with an acrylic crystal and a signed crown, accompanied by a blue alligator leather strap and a stainless steel pin buckle. The design utilizes rotating discs to obscure the traditional mechanical relationship between the movement and the time indicators, creating the impression of floating components across the instrument-panel style dial.

Front view of the Longines Comet showing the cushion-shaped steel case, the blue and white dial with the arrow hour indicator and circular minute marker, and the blue alligator strap.
Front view of the Longines Comet showing the cushion-shaped steel case, the blue and white dial with the arrow hour indicator and circular minute marker, and the blue alligator strap. — Analog:Shift. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
analogshift.com
Category
Wristwatch · Mystery dial wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
8475
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa late 1960s
Source-reported place
Not established

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 Dial

The Longines Comet features a 35mm cushion-shaped case constructed from stainless steel. Rather than employing standard centrally pivoted hands, the watch utilizes a system of rotating discs.

The dial surface consists of concentric fields finished in teal blue and white. Cardinal positions are marked with Arabic numerals, and the periphery includes minute hash marks. Time indication is achieved through an arrow-shaped element for hours and a small, luminous 'comet' shape for minutes, both of which appear to float above the dial surface, concealing the pinion mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “35mm stainless steel cushion case surrounding one of the most distinctive displays Longines ever produced”
  • “the Comet uses rotating discs to create its unusual “mystery” effect”
  • “Concentric fields of teal blue and white give the watch an almost Space Age, instrument-panel quality”

Movement and Functionality

The watch is powered by the Longines Calibre 702. This is a manually wound movement designed to accommodate the 'mystery' display, which decouples the visual indicators from the standard hand-stack arrangement found in traditional wristwatches.

The visual effect of the 'comet' and arrow is meant to disguise the relationship between the movement's pinion and the time-indicating discs.

Evidence for this section
  • “powered by the manually wound Longines Calibre 702”
  • “The mechanism effectively disguises the traditional relationship between hands and pinion, leaving the indicators seemingly floating across the dial”

Components and Appointments

The watch is fitted with an acrylic crystal and a signed crown, both of which are original to the configuration as presented. It is supplied on a blue alligator leather strap, which coordinates with the color palette of the dial.

The assembly is completed by a stainless steel pin buckle, which matches the material of the watch case. These elements are identified as components of the reference 8475 package.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch retains its signed acrylic crystal and signed crown”
  • “It comes fitted to a coordinating blue alligator leather strap with a matching stainless steel pin buckle”

Open research questions

  • What specific production start and end years characterize the Reference 8475?
  • To what extent did Longines utilize the Calibre 702 in other mystery dial models of this era?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines Comet 'Mystery Dial'
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference number8475“Reference 8475”
Movement calibreLongines Calibre 702“manually wound Longines Calibre 702”
Case materialStainless steel“35mm stainless steel cushion case”
Dial designRotating discs“the Comet uses rotating discs to create its unusual “mystery” effect”
Date estimateLate 1960s“Dating to circa late 60s”
Dial colorsTeal blue and white“Concentric fields of teal blue and white”
IndicatorsArrow hour hand, comet minute marker“An arrow-shaped hour indicator travels around the inner hour track, while a small luminous “comet” circles the outer track”

Visible details

  • Cushion-shaped stainless steel case with brushed finish
  • Dial features teal blue and white concentric zones
  • Gold-tone arrow-shaped hour indicator
  • Luminous circular marker for minute indication

Research qualifications

  • Movement internal condition not visually verified
  • Exact production year within the late 1960s not specified

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

Consulted source

ساعت Longines Comet 'Mystery Dial'

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 313a8b9321

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

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