I am a novice Longines watch collector. While following a number of watch forums I realised this is one of the best places to address my doubts online. I have some reservations about the full authenticity of my recent purchase (unsigned case and two-layer dial). What I can see is that the dial's design and signature are "typical" with even patina and in line with the movement's serial number from early 40s, hands are right proportion, the dial's foot is copper, the case have 14k hallmark, yet not signed. I have submitted my Longines archives information request and been waiting for their response regarding the movement/case production. I hope you will share you expertise with me.
Very neat piece. As you likely know, black dials from this period (early 1940's) are relatively uncommon and this one looks original. The hands also look to be the correct style. The movement is a caliber 23M and the case is not Swiss, so no reference number and likely made in the country where the watch was originally sold. Longines should be able to tell you whether the watch left Switzerland with a case or not. I can see a 0.585 marking, which suggests 14K gold. However, neither this marking nor the small hallmark above are familiar to me, though the smaller one is difficult to make out. P.S. Locally-made cases are common and, while sometimes less desirable, they can still be entirely "correct".
Dial looks good to me. Longines font is spot on. Numerals look good as well. I remember a steel version hammered at ebay with the same dial layout. Hour and minute indices are also very well executed and aligned. How about the turning marks on the subdial? Are these even and clearly visible even when magnified? Hands look also consistent to me. Nice watch! Can't say anything about the case, but the excellent Longines heritage service will be able to shed some light.
just my feeling, no evidence: dial ok and nice, case may not originally belong to this movement and dial as they seem to come from a different period. Longines archive info will help to find out...
yes but looks as if not original. This is another point why I think case did not belong to this movement originally....
What were the markets where Longines movements were cased locally before being sold? I know that that was certainly true for the US and I believe the UK. The mark on the case back is not recognizable to me.
US, UK, France, Argentina and Brazil. Generally only for solid gold and gold-filled cases. Canada usually got US models...most of the time. The higher end models were all Swiss made. The importers paid the customs and raised prices accordingly. gatorcpa
Thank you all for the replies. I am very pleased with the responses provided. The Longines scratching on the back case could be some previous owner’s bad joke which I disregarded immediately. The subdial is sharp with an even deep print. I received the information from the Longines. My watch was recased. The original Longines 23M, SS case 4730 invoiced to the Weisntabl, Bratislava. On the positive side the transformation made the watch “dressy” for more gentle wear which preserved the remaining original parts. I would appreciate if anyone could post a picture of a 4730 case.