40s Longines authenticity query

Posts

4

Likes

2

dlinn

·Jul 18, 2020

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.

 

Posts

2,820

Likes

4,924

DirtyDozen12

·Jul 18, 2020

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".

 

Posts

285

Likes

1,062

yako54

·Jul 18, 2020

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.

 

Posts

13,483

Likes

31,778

X350 XJR

·Jul 18, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Look closely and there is a very faint LONGINES.

 

Posts

1,789

Likes

9,100

bubba48

·Jul 18, 2020

Recased watch IMO

 

Posts

477

Likes

1,649

divetime

·Jul 20, 2020

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...

 

Posts

477

Likes

1,649

divetime

·Jul 20, 2020

X350 XJR

Look closely and there is a very faint LONGINES.

yes but looks as if not original. This is another point why I think case did not belong to this movement originally....

 

Posts

372

Likes

344

imfagent449

·Jul 22, 2020

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.

 

Posts

13,310

Likes

18,424

gatorcpa

·Jul 22, 2020·ΩF InvestiGator

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

 

Posts

24,257

Likes

54,023

Dan S

·Jul 22, 2020

At least it is 14k. Some of the local cases were 9k.

 

Posts

13,483

Likes

31,778

X350 XJR

·Jul 22, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

Australia also locally cased both Omega and Longines, usually in 9K.

 

Posts

4

Likes

2

dlinn

·Jul 23, 2020

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.

 

Posts

590

Likes

1,223

cchen

·Jul 23, 2020

Given it went from SS to 14k, it's possible that the importer or retailer recased it