We have here an extremely attractive solid 9ct gold cushion vintage Longines watch dated via the English Hallmarks and Serial number to 1942. This much replicated case shape was made popular by longines from the early 1920s. The three piece gold case measures 31 x 33 mm but wears larger and is signed ALD (Dennison case maker) hallmarked Birmingham 1942 Made in England and numbered. The fine Swiss longines in house movement is signed Longines with 15 jewels and numbered. The white enamel dial has painted Arabic numerals, with a subsidiary seconds dial and fine blued steel skeleton style hands. The dial is signed Longines above the centre at 12 o'clock. We've paired the watch on a black Croco-grain strap but it looks great on brown too.
Founded in 1832, Longines has a rich and exciting history. The company produced their first movement, the 20A, in 1867 near the Swiss town of Saint-Imier, in a place called Es Longines ("long meadows"). This movement won an award at the Exhibition Universelle in Paris in the same year. Longines are credited with advancing the industrialisation of Swiss watchmaking and it because of their new mechanical procedures, they were able to produce a simple chronograph movement, the 20H, as early as 1878. It was the first mechanism that Longines had made that could be used for precise timing and it was so popular with horse racing bettors and spectators that by the end of 1886, Longines were supplying chronographs to the majority of New York's sports officials. It is still the official timekeeper of many horse races, with over 40 in its annual calendar.
The Longines brand name and logo were officially registered with the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (later the WIPO) in 1889. Longines is the oldest brand name registered with the WIPO that is unchanged and still in use today. Longines is now part of the Swatch Group, having joined in 1983.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
This is a highly collectable watch with so many original features. It is a rare and early example of a classic design and just look at that stunning Enamelled dial . Longines were ahead of the time in the watchmaking world and the famous in house caliber 12.68 in our opinion on of the best calibers in its field. Everyone needs a cushion watch in the collection,
Spec Stuff
Serial : 644####
Reference : 85996
Movement : Manual Wind Longines 12.68z 15 Jewels Age : 1941/1950 Specific Age : 1942 Case Size : 31mm Case Thickness : 10mm Lug to Lug :34mm Lugs :18mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : 9ct Gold Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1942 Classic elegant Longines solid 9ct gold cushion Watch with Enamel Dial and Arabic Numerals
