According to Patrick Linder's book, the 12.91 was introduced in 1906. The version shown below differs from my example as it features a separate, fourth wheel cock. Mine has a central bridge like the one on the 17.25, shown below. The 12.91 is not commonly found in watches from the mid-1930s, or later, but I think that my piece just pre-dates the introduction of the central-seconds version of the 12.68Z (i.e. the cal. 12.68N) so it was thus employed.


@Warthog Great piece you've got there. And quite the provenance. Agreed about 30s design.

 

These are such beautiful movements.

 

It looks to be like it jumped out and is being pushed toward centre by the inner pin, hard to tell and we will probably never know.

 

Many thanks for the book page, DD; nice deduction on the timing of 12.68Z intro, too. Love your watch.

 

I picked up one fairly recently with the same dial, although the case is a style I haven't seen on one of these before. Invoiced in June of 1936 to France @Syrte. Neat little things, small at 30mm, but rather charming dials. At the end of the day, I'm not sure these early ones are for me though.

 

I like it, saw two other same models on sale in the past couple year.
I like their dial design (and the case too).

 

Reviving an oldthread here, hope it's ok. Stumbled over this little charmer last week.According to Longines a Ref 3496, Cal 12.68Z invoiced to the company Terrasse in Sweden August 15th 1935. The logo is faintly visible, don't know if faded or a cleaning attempt. Leaning towards fading but... Movement looks very clean, gaining less than a minute a day. Don't know anything about this model, all info will be appreciated.

 

Lovely indeed - I think Longines told you all there is to know about it.

 

Ok @Syrte I gave you a shot

Dibs!!!

 

Haha,don't worry, I already promised you first if I decide to pass it on

 

You are too Kind— I did contemplate it but figured I could not call dibs on everything

 

Wow - I just discovered this thread. I love these designs.

 

As stated, Longines has provided most of the pertinent information on this watch. I will just add that the movement is a lovely example of an early caliber 12.68Z. Below is a comparison of a slightly later example, with its two prominent case screws, and your early example with just one case screw. I am not certain about what prompted this shift but the earlier examples always look cleaner, to me.

 

This a wonderful 1930s thread and I want to contribute this 1938 ref. 3496 in 14 K. Inside ticks a 27.0 caliber. It has also small 30mm but looks great on the wrist. Beautiful with the applied dial and one of the nicest cases.

 

Beautiful case indeed; do you happen to know the maker(hammer mark #)? Never seen this dial design before, I believe, with its seemingly applied or embossed sector rings encompassing the hours, except in a 1936 catalog as ref. 3696 which could be a printed dial in a certainly different case than yours. And I like the colors of the dial as well. Enjoy!

 

I enjoy for sure! It's case maker 108, should be Maurice Challandes in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

 

Thanks for your case maker info. I did find another dial with embossed numbers and circles around them like yours; it's on the Carese Co. of Japan web site under Men's Watches at the bottom of the 2nd. page with a black(galvanized?) dial, SS case and gold hands/numbers. I would include pics if I could....

 

I have this little guy here. A bund strap makes its 32mm look a little larger.

 

Here it is:
https://www.antiquewatch-carese.com/mens-watch/LONGINES/carese9578.html
The dial is like mine, just another case reference. Very nice, beside this there are some other interesting time-only watches. The cases were polished of course but I can't spot any redials on the first sight. Never heard of the dealer before.

 

This is no « calatrava », or baclava, but to me it’s « yummy » all the same.