Longines. A Stainless Steel Calatrava Wristwatch with Two-Tone Dial
Case No: 222xx
Movement No: 64xxxxx
Circa: 1943
Cal. 12.68z mechanical jeweled movement, two-tone silvered matte dial, refreshed luminous baton numerals and luminous Arabic 12, 3 and 9, luminous hands, outer minute divisions, engine-turned subsidiary dial for constant seconds, circular case, sei-tracche screw back, case, dial, and movement signed.
33mm.
More about Longines:
Longines is often associated with exploration, having developed many timepieces for air and sea navigation. Starting in 1899, Longines pocket chronometers were used on an expedition to the North Pole, and over the next forty years would supply military watches and chronometers and chronographs for long distance flights. With many of these models being over 40mm in diameter, Longines started re-issuing some of their models for the general market, sizing them down and using different calibers that were of equal quality.
An example of this is the present watch, which features a caliber 12.68z chronometer movement. Used in a variety of case sizes (from 32mm up to 38mm), the movement was either gilt-finished or nickel-finished, like the present watch. Watches with the caliber 12.68z featured a subsidiary seconds dial, while the similar caliber 12.68n featured sweep center seconds. These watches were available in a variety of dial combinations, cased in stainless steel with a polished bezel, downturned lugs (with the number stamped on the back of one of the lugs), and either a snap on or screw case back.
The present watch is an excellent example of a 1940’s Calatrava style Longines wristwatch, and features a beautifully preserved two-tone dial and sharp case and lug facets.