Hi all,

I was left a Longines by my Grandfather years ago, and wanted to know more about it. If anyone has any idea I’d be much obliged!

All I can say is that it’s a potentially 1950s manual wind movement and looks to be a gold case (not gold plated)…aside from that I don’t know anything about it!

 

Looks great at first glance. If you can remove the back (or have an expert do it for you), the serial number on the movement will allow us to date it fairly accurately. And there will be some useful information inside the case-back as well.

 

But if you don’t have, don’t know how to use a case knife, don’t. Take it to a watchmaker. Don’t try to use a pocket knife or other tool. You will mar that lovely caseback.

 

Agreed, looks to be from the 1950s and the movement is almost certainly manual wind. The movement could be a caliber 12.68Z. The dial looks to be original, and has raised hour markers and an applied emblem, I believe. The "Swiss Made" printing on the dial suggests that the watch might have been made for the British market. Maybe the case is British-made and 9K gold. Overall, it looks like a nice, original watch from a time when Longines was making very high-quality movements. If you ever open the back, take clear photos of the movement and inside of the back as you can send these to Longines and get specific information about where and when the watch was originally invoiced.

 

The watch below looks to have a very similar case to yours, with a distinctive curve where the inside of the lug meets the case. This watch has a 9K case and a caliber 12.68Z.


https://www.vintagegoldwatches.com/product/longines-cal-12-68z-9ct-gold-1957/

 

Thanks. I think I will!

This is purely to interest, since I won’t be parting with it

 

That is exactly it! Wow, that’s great

 

Apparently this is the movement within! Thanks to everyone for your insights.

https://calibercorner.com/longines-caliber-12-68z/

 

Here is more information about the caliber 12.68Z: https://mitka.co.uk/2021/11/05/longines-calibre-12-68z-review/

 

longines cases were certainly fine. i am not sure at this period which casemaker produced it. but the way lugs go sharper as they spread from the case and leave good room for the band is a slight and fantastic detail