For sale is an absolute grail find that perfectly captures the juxtaposition of luxury and utility, a rare 14k gold Longines "Sei Tacche." Widely considered by collectors to be among the purest executions of a no-frills, robust tool watch long before the term became a marketing buzzword, this piece offers the rugged DNA of a WWII-era waterproof watch elevated by the extreme rarity of a precious metal case. Finding an unpolished, waterproof Sei Tacche in 14k gold, especially in this classic, highly wearable 32mm case size, ticks an incredible amount of boxes for vintage enthusiasts, as most of these models were originally produced in utilitarian stainless steel.
"Sei Tacche" translates directly from Italian to "six notches," referring to the six distinct grooves cut into the screw-down caseback. These notches required a specialized wrench to open and represent Longines' pioneering engineering milestone in creating early water-resistant and dust-proof cases during the late 1930s and 1940s. The compact 32mm case houses a classic, highly legible sub-second dial at 6 o'clock, alongside a timeless mid-century aesthetic that balances dressy elegance with military pragmatism through its mix of Arabic numerals and arrow indices. The dial's warm, honest patina shows it has aged beautifully over the decades. Adding a fantastic layer of mystery and individual provenance, the caseback features a blocky, stylized "H.S.G" engraving. This personalization hints at the watch being a significant gift or bespoke commission, giving this piece a unique story.
Brand: Longines
Model Nickname: "Sei Tacche" (Six Notches)
Era: Late 1930s–1940s
Case Size: 32mm
Case Material: 14k Solid Gold (An exceptionally rare configuration)
Caseback: Screw-down with six distinctive notches and a bespoke "H.S.G." engraving
Dial: Original, displaying a warm patina with Arabic numerals, arrow indices, and a sub-seconds register
Style: The ultimate "Refined Soldier," built to military-grade robustness but finished in luxury metal
Both the "Tre-Tacche" (three notches) and "Sei-Tacche" (six notches) have developed a massive, cult-like following among vintage watch enthusiasts. They represent a time when Longines' innovation, craftsmanship, and uncompromising simplicity were virtually unrivaled in the Swiss watch industry. What sets this specific 32mm piece apart is the 14k gold factor. It is built for the trenches but dressed for the boardroom. Vintage Longines models from this era are highly respected, investment-grade centerpieces in Swiss watch collecting, and a gold variant is a dream acquisition that easily stands out in a sea of standard vintage dress watches.
All watch purchases from Arrows Vintage Watches include a 48-hour return window. If you’re not fully satisfied, you may return the watch at your expense using the same insured shipping method it was sent with, and in the same condition it was received. Once the watch is returned and inspected, refunds will be issued within 7 days via the original payment method.
All returns and cancellations will be charged a restocking fee around 3% of the total item price. This is the cost of using a payment processor on the site.
For sale is an absolute grail find that perfectly captures the juxtaposition of luxury and utility, a rare 14k gold Longines "Sei Tacche." Widely considered by collectors to be among the purest executions of a no-frills, robust tool watch long before the term became a marketing buzzword, this piece offers the rugged DNA of a WWII-era waterproof watch elevated by the extreme rarity of a precious metal case. Finding an unpolished, waterproof Sei Tacche in 14k gold, especially in this classic, highly wearable 32mm case size, ticks an incredible amount of boxes for vintage enthusiasts, as most of these models were originally produced in utilitarian stainless steel.
"Sei Tacche" translates directly from Italian to "six notches," referring to the six distinct grooves cut into the screw-down caseback. These notches required a specialized wrench to open and represent Longines' pioneering engineering milestone in creating early water-resistant and dust-proof cases during the late 1930s and 1940s. The compact 32mm case houses a classic, highly legible sub-second dial at 6 o'clock, alongside a timeless mid-century aesthetic that balances dressy elegance with military pragmatism through its mix of Arabic numerals and arrow indices. The dial's warm, honest patina shows it has aged beautifully over the decades. Adding a fantastic layer of mystery and individual provenance, the caseback features a blocky, stylized "H.S.G" engraving. This personalization hints at the watch being a significant gift or bespoke commission, giving this piece a unique story.
Brand: Longines
Model Nickname: "Sei Tacche" (Six Notches)
Era: Late 1930s–1940s
Case Size: 32mm
Case Material: 14k Solid Gold (An exceptionally rare configuration)
Caseback: Screw-down with six distinctive notches and a bespoke "H.S.G." engraving
Dial: Original, displaying a warm patina with Arabic numerals, arrow indices, and a sub-seconds register
Style: The ultimate "Refined Soldier," built to military-grade robustness but finished in luxury metal
Both the "Tre-Tacche" (three notches) and "Sei-Tacche" (six notches) have developed a massive, cult-like following among vintage watch enthusiasts. They represent a time when Longines' innovation, craftsmanship, and uncompromising simplicity were virtually unrivaled in the Swiss watch industry. What sets this specific 32mm piece apart is the 14k gold factor. It is built for the trenches but dressed for the boardroom. Vintage Longines models from this era are highly respected, investment-grade centerpieces in Swiss watch collecting, and a gold variant is a dream acquisition that easily stands out in a sea of standard vintage dress watches.
All watch purchases from Arrows Vintage Watches include a 48-hour return window. If you’re not fully satisfied, you may return the watch at your expense using the same insured shipping method it was sent with, and in the same condition it was received. Once the watch is returned and inspected, refunds will be issued within 7 days via the original payment method.
All returns and cancellations will be charged a restocking fee around 3% of the total item price. This is the cost of using a payment processor on the site.
