Longines Comet 'Mystery Dial'
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa late 1960s
Maker / issuer
LonginesThe 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.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Mystery dial wristwatch
- Indicators
- Arrow hour hand, comet minute marker
- Dial colors
- Teal blue and white
- Dial design
- Rotating discs
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Date estimate
- Late 1960s
- Movement calibre
- Longines Calibre 702
- Reference number
- 8475
- Maker / attribution
- Longines
Design
- 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.
- Visible features
- • 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
- 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.
- 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.
Identification
- Reference
- 8475
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement internal condition not visually verified
- Research required: Exact production year within the late 1960s not specified