Few years ago i happened to buy this Longines 12.68Z , plate marked Baume & Co. Despite its dimensions, i still like it a lot. Best, Aldo.
That is absolutely gorgeous. A perfect combination of cathedral hands and some lovely, nearly art nouveau, numbers which all have patinated perfectly. And that movement looks great! Fantastic condition!
Why Mappin on the dial? The venerable firm of Mappin & Webb private label I assume. The Mappin & Webb firm had branches in many Commonwealth countries outside of Great Britain. For 25 years I worked for the Canadian branch called simply Mappins. But the original branch of the firm which was founded in Canada in the late 1930s, was originally called Mappin & Webb. Now owned by the Zale Corporation. I got out at the right time, in 1990!
The movement and case numbers date this piece to the mid-late 1930s. However, the style of the dial and hands would not look out of place on a watch from the 1920s.
I was thinking earlier. I don't know why I said 50s. It looks very much like those trench watches (the dial at least) of WW1. But it doesn't look to be almost 100 years old. Has it been reconditioned in any way ?