Hi all,

After the reissue at Baselworld was announced, I've been looking for an original Longines 6b/159.

I've come across this piece online. It's a cal. 12.68N and the serial number indicates that it was was manufactured in approx. 1943.

I see that there are no military markings. Was a civilian version ever issued? The case also has the 'Acier Inox' engraving and it's my (limited) understanding that it was common for the earlier models to be alloy. Has this been recased? Is there anything else that seems amiss?

As always, appreciate any insights.

 

I believe there were civilian versions in stainless steel, and I have seen a couple sold in the past few months I've been looking at these. Looks to be all correct to my eyes. There was some discussion on the re-issue thread around these if you want to reference that. I'm sure some of the other folks here will chime in soon with much more insight than myself.

 

Yes, something's amiss. This case is alloy as shows from the wear. So the case back has got to be an incorrect replacement.

 

Good catch, I was too focused on the dial, hands, and movement I guess...

 

Based on what I have seen, the case-backs of alloy/non-stainless steel examples of this reference (4830) are always signed "acier inox". Here is another 22'313 for reference: https://www.ebay.com/itm/202160901422Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

@Candle00 Nothing amiss, IMO. Many of these do not have military markings.

 

Thanks for all the insights. So, the current listing describes it as 'military'. Technically, that could be considered inaccurate if indeed civilian versions were issued and this is an example of one?

 

Some were also surplus military that was sold to the market post war, as well as reusing parts to make a civilian watch without markings.

Military descriptions are kind of an oddball since that could be "military style" or "issued" etc.

 

Depends on your definition of a military watch. Here is a discussion on the topic: https://omegaforums.net/threads/when-is-a-watch-a-military-watch.66310/ Though this example may not strictly qualify as a military watch, the Longines reference 4830 was designed specifically for the British Air Ministry.

 

Kind of like my CK2292 which has had the movement number cut out and has no 6B/159 caseback marking:








It could be military, it could be civilian, only in this case I will never know as the movement number is missing.

 

It seems that the caseback engravings have been roughly abraded. Military issued presumably.

 

Referring to the OP's watch or my one @bubba48? Your eyes are certainly sharp regardless

 

This version is correct - chrome case with stainless steel back which is how they were issued. Looks like the military markings may have been polished off.

 

To the OP of course

 

Interesting observation, thanks for pointing it out.

 

As far as I can tell, the first iteration of this reference had all stainless steel cases. I have seen a number of these early pieces with military markings.

 

There were all stainless steel cases for sure.