For the love of the 12.68 or 12L...

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I bought this beater late last year. Thought I could use it for parts, even if it is a whole watch.

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Even if it is a redial....

Once I had my hands on it, I ran the numbers past Longines:

The original serial number 6'510'974 identifies a wristwatch in stainless steel bearing the reference 5223 and the order number 22344. It is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 12.68N (also called 12LN in the USA). It was invoiced on 22 April 1943 to the company Longines–Wittnauer Company, INC., which was at that time our agent for the USA.

That is when I thought that I should restore the movement.

Why? Because the 12L is a thing of beauty. Even if the watch isn't as much as it once was.

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...And I will wear it. Even with the incorrect seconds hand. A correct one will eventually turn up.

Now for the question. Longines notes.... "in stainless steel" which this case is not. The central bezel or the movement bezel is chromed base metal. Almost feels like some low silver content alloy. The back and the crystal bezel are stainless. So whats the confusion here? Did Longines mis mark? Or was the case back and movement swapped around?

Isn't the first one that I have seen Longines state "stainless" when the movement ring is obviously not.

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That's the middle case. In that age many were made from Alloy compounds , because steel was reserved for the War effort.
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crown is original to that model? i absolutely love it, it makes winding easier and looks brutally nice
 
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crown is original to that model? i absolutely love it, it makes winding easier and looks brutally nice
A bit late to this post of mine, but yeah. That crown as far as I can tell is original Longines.