So I have two Longines 12L's, one from 1943 and another from 1944. One (1944) has a nicer stainless steel case, but the dial and hands are heavily aged. The other (1943) has a chrome plated case, with a much nicer dial and hands. I combined the stainless steel case and the much nicer movement/ dial/ hands, because stainless steel is better than chrome plated. Any thoughts on this? Is this a cardinal sin? Does Longines include the case metal in the archives, screwing up the originality of it? Did the military swap out parts for these watches regularly? I figure I'd combine the best of both watches, and enjoy wearing it. Here is a before picture with the chrome case, and an after picture with the stainless steel case.

 

you can email Longines, they will tell the case material along with movement info and invoice (date and location)

[email protected]

 

So Longines does keep record of this. I guess that would upset some purists. Not sure if you can even tell the difference in the photos. The top picture is with the chrome case, bottom is stainless. Both cases are exactly the same size.

 

Longines absolutely keeps records of this.
There’s nothing wrong doing it, so long as you disclose it in the event of a sale. As a purist what would most upset me is not the fact the watch is put together but the fact someone’s not telling it like it is. However there is no question it would alter the value of the watch.
That chrome case is pretty nice though.
Those are not military, they are civilian, so swapping practices in the military are irrelevant here.
Best regards

 

They are both your watches. Why let others dictate your actions? If you want to maintain originality just assure that the swaps are reversible.

BTW, here's a recent Extract from the Archives I obtained from Longines. It shows both movement and case number.

 

Oooh, looks interesting - would you show a picture ?

 

Vous m'avez tordu le bras!

 

Lovely case ! thanks for sharing !

 

Instead of exchanging movement/dial/hands, you can reverse only the dials and you have two original watches that match correctly the archive data

 

In fact, I did just that a couple hours ago, after this post. So now the case and movement match. Unfortunately, I think I breathed too hard on the lume, and a piece came off the minute hand.

 

That's karma for DIY'ing with a vintage watch and not leaving it to the professionals. Live and learn, kids.

 

I guess I can either live with it or have my watchmaker repaint it. He can usually match the patina color. This is exactly what scares me away from expensive vintage. Lume wasn't meant to last forever. Luckily, I didn't pay a lot for this 12L.

 

Also, is there anything that could be done to get rid of that scratch on the dial, without refinishing the whole thing? And no, the scratch was not my doing.

 

Some things are better left alone

 

I know I probably should have left it alone to begin with. Next weekend is a regional NAWCC show around here. I always see these WW2 era pieces there. Maybe I'll get lucky.

 

It's not the end of the world anyways. We are all different, if you enjoy experimenting with watchmaking all the best

 

Don't touch this dial, please

 

In my opinion, I think there's too much value placed on things that don't last. It's not a matter of if, but when plastic crystals crack, leather straps come apart, lume crumbles, and rubber seals turn to mush.