A local guy has this watch, that I'm considering purchasing. These are the only pictures I have, and it's been a year or two since I've seen the watch in person. He wants 23 bills for it. I don't remember seeing any major red flags with the watch in person, but from the photos it appears that the hands may have been re-lumed. The movement looked clean, and it keeps time. To buy or not to buy?

 

Without being an expert, it sounds reasonable, even with relumed hands.
What does "23 bills" mean, specifically?

 

Looks like a late metal dial from ~1947 presumably with a 15.68Z movement. It looks good to me. I would not buy it without checking that the case back and lug numbers match.

 

I concur with the previous opinions. Hands and dial seem to be %100 original. Most probably hands were relumed some time in the past. Crown seems to be original as well.

Regarding the military engraving of the caseback, that number seems to be low for a metallic dial with 15.68Z caliber but you never know, it could be %100 legit. AFAIK, some of these watches left the Saint Imiers factory with military engravings and some were issued later and engraved accordingly by Czech Military Authority.

My suggestion: if you want to be %100 sure about the originality of this watch, request the owner to send you a photo of the inner part of the caseback and a photo of the serial number of the caliber. Then contact Longines Brand Heritage and provide them with this information. They will confirm you if the watch left the factory with that caseback and if the military engravings were done before sending it to their agent.

 

Forgot to mention that the asking price is reasonable if you can get the confirmation from Longines that the caseback is original to the watch. If not, I would pass.

 

Thanks. I get it now.

 

I guess the watch is out of question at this point. He quoted me $2300 last year. I asked what he wanted for it again, thinking he was going to quote me a similar price.......and no, $4500. He was probably comparing Ebay prices for the two or three of them on there now. I'm definitely not paying that.