Is this a franken watch?

JohnLy · Dec 16, 2021

Hi, I bought this watch awhile back at a local auction. I cannot tell if this is a put together watch or just an oddity!!!

The enamel dial is signed Tiffany. The movement is a signed 13.56 Longines. The case is I believe a star, US made sterling case.
I am not 100% sure but I believe Longines sold movements to Tiffany and they would case them here in the US. I have seen cases that are signed with both Tiffany and Longines and would have thought my watch case would be signed the same way. What throws me off is the case screws on the movement align perfectly with the marks on the case, Usually a mis-alignment between the two is a tell tale sign of a married watch.
So my question is has anyone seen a star case being used on a Tiffany/Longines trench watch?
Whats the opinion of the experts on the OF, a marriage of many parts or just an oddity?
Looking forward to the feedback.

DirtyDozen12 · Dec 16, 2021

Most silver-cased, Tiffany-signed, Longines wristwatches I have seen have Swiss hallmarks, suggesting Swiss production.

Have you obtained an extract from Longines? That is where I would start. If the archive suggests a locally-made case, then the present case could be original. However, if the archive mentions a silver case, then I would conclude that the present case is not original.

Foo2rama · Dec 16, 2021

https://www.longines.com/en-us/certificate-of-authenticity

Follow this link for your first step.

JohnLy · Dec 16, 2021

DirtyDozen12
Most silver-cased, Tiffany-signed, Longines wristwatches I have seen have Swiss hallmarks, suggesting Swiss production.

Have you obtained an extract from Longines? That is where I would start. If the archive suggests a locally-made case, then the present case could be original. However, if the archive mentions a silver case, then I would conclude that the present case is not original.

Hi DD, I did apply for an archive and received the following back:

Originally, the serial number 2'368'771 identifies a Longines mechanical manually wound movement, caliber 13.56. It was invoiced on 30 December 1913 to the company A. Wittnauer Co., which was at that time our agent for the USA.

The other parts of the watch were produced locally under license from Longines. Unfortunately, since the relevant archives are not in our possession, we are unable to provide any further information on your model.

So Longines couldn't supply me an archive but it did state parts (case) were produced locally so I can assume it's original? I was just surprised that an upscale brand like Tiffany would select a Star case.

Thanks DD for your helpful information.

DirtyDozen12 · Dec 16, 2021

Thanks for relaying Longines' response.

I agree, the case is unusual. Below is an example I just came across with a close serial number. The dial, movement, and case are all marked Tiffany as expected. It could be interesting to ask Longines if there is any mention of Tiffany associated with either your watch or the one below. My thinking is that if there is mention of Tiffany associated with the fully marked example and not yours, then I would begin to wonder about a possible dial swap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184972056183?hash=item2b11319677:g:StsAAOSwLdlg8Y-~

JohnLy · Dec 16, 2021

DirtyDozen12
Thanks for relaying Longines' response.

I agree, the case is unusual. Below is an example I just came across with a close serial number. The dial, movement, and case are all marked Tiffany as expected. It could be interesting to ask Longines if there is any mention of Tiffany associated with either your watch or the one below. My thinking is that if there is mention of Tiffany associated with the fully marked example and not yours, then I would begin to wonder about a possible dial swap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184972056183?hash=item2b11319677:g:StsAAOSwLdlg8Y-~

I will try contacting Longines. I am not sure how much information they willing to give me on a watch I don't own but will give it a shot. I do think it's worth while trying for future reference.

Perdurabo · Dec 17, 2021

Hi John,

Longines does not provide any further information on watches being cased in the US.
I own the watch on the pic below, plus a Marine Chronograph and a pocket watch retailed by Birks, Canada - the extracts all have the same text. The Birks watch also has a case made by a third party supplier: "Famous".

No idea if the face has been swapped. I'm not an expert, but your watch looks pretty much original to me.

JohnLy · Dec 17, 2021

Perdurabo
Hi John,

Longines does not provide any further information on watches being cased in the US.
I own the watch on the pic below, plus a Marine Chronograph and a pocket watch retailed by Birks, Canada - the extracts all have the same text. The Birks watch also has a case made by a third party supplier: "Famous".

No idea if the face has been swapped. I'm not an expert, but your watch looks pretty much original to me.

Thank you for the information, you saved me a lot of time. BTW nice looking pocket watch.
Best,
John

Is this a franken watch?

JohnLy

DirtyDozen12

Foo2rama

JohnLy

DirtyDozen12

JohnLy

Perdurabo

JohnLy

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