Any pocket watch collectors out there who can share some info about this Longines pocket watch? I picked it up yesterday from an estate sale - first Longines (and pocket watch) in my collection. Watch runs and seems to keep time, chronograph function works properly as well. The caseback reads 64 and 22041 280, movement serial is 6187356.

 

Great catch! This is a nice example of a caliber 18.72 from the early 1940's. "LXW" on the balance cock suggests that it was originally delivered to the USA. These are very high-quality watches. The finishing on the movement is superb and the mechanism itself, very intricate with an instantaneous minute counter. "22 041" is the order number and "280" is the number of this case.

 

Thanks so much for the quick reply! The design definitely looked 1940s to me, but that 64 on the caseback had me thinking maybe that was the year of production, so I was a bit confused. Thanks for setting me straight.

I knew about the 13ZN so I figured any Longines chronograph movement from that era would be of similar quality. I was thrilled when I got it home and opened it up to see how beautiful the caliber was!

 

Same ethos as the 13ZN, indeed. But it retains the instantaneous minute counter of the 13ZN's predecessor, the caliber 13.33Z. In both vintage and contemporary chronographs, this feature is uncommon. I think that A. Lange & Sohne were the first to introduce a chronograph movement with this feature post quartz crisis.

Anyway, a real nice find.

 

Well found, great watch

 

So beautiful! Looks like an enamel dial.

 

I’d not have hesitated. Now get it serviced before you start “wearing” it. Just impeccable. Congratulations!

 

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I emailed Longines the other day to request an extract from the archives, and took some better pics with a real camera. Can see the movement better with these. I'll report back with any other info I get from Longines!

 

Heard back from the Longines archive department!

Further to your request, we are pleased to provide the information contained in Longines' handwritten registers:

The original serial number 6'187'356 identifies an open face pocket-chronograph in metal bearing the reference 3207 and the order number 22041. It is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 18.72 and was invoiced on 26 March 1945 to the company Longines–Wittnauer Company, INC., which was at that time our agent for the USA.

We trust that we have responded satisfactorily to your request and remain at your entire disposal for any additional information.

 

What a beaut