what do the brethren say? Pretty, perhaps too, spotless for a 40's Gines, no? And what about those hands and crown? Nice movement.
What we're seeing in the first post is entirely correct for a 6B/159 but we're missing case back markings. (I can't remember if civilian versions of this watch existed....). If you don't want it let me know via pm, I might be interested..... Edit -our posts crossed. The lack of caseback marking does affect value.
Standard male watch size once upon a time, as I'm sure you know. Put it on and your eye will get used to it. If you like it, don't let size stop you
Actually bigger than US military navigation watches of the same era. The US A11 pilot watch worn by the people who flew those B17 bombers over Europe from 1942 to 1945 is about 30 -31mm.
I would pass and wait for one with the case back markings. If size is an issue, put it on a bracelet; it removes the focus from the watch head (a Bonklip would be good, although I like to wear my bracelets loose, which does not work well with a Bonklip, which needs some tension to stay locked).
Don't think the crown is correct for this watch. Dial looks original to me and super nice. Probably not military issue, but may have been purchased by serviceman for personal use during WWII. Serial number dates watch from that time period. http://www.vintagewatchresources.com/year_identifier.php Longines will send you an e-mail with information on your watch, including the country where the watch was originally delivered. You need to register for this service. While other brand are charging hundreds of dollars, Longines still does this for free. https://account.longines.com/en/contact Enjoy, gatorcpa
Sorry to differ @gatorcpa, this crown is entirely correct for this watch -- and actually desirable in and of itself. Replacements have become impossible to find.
The seller, who was initially looking for €250-€275 is now seeking a lot more. I'ma let him cool off for a while.
Color of the crown looks different from the case, I would say correct replacement. But I agree it could be original. Must be reading about it here. gatorcpa
Couldn't the color difference come from different stainless steel batches ?.... As far as I know most cases for this model were cheaper alloys (the fact this one is stainless is actually a plus) -- so I don't suppose the crowns and cases were necessarily made together or in the same way? I'm not very familiar with those manufacturing processes. In any event, I couldn't conclude either way. By the way, @BartH, maybe you shd ask Longines for an extract of archive while your seller cools off -- sometimes they respond within less than a week and if this case back was skimmed the archives should tell you the watch was delivered to the British government.
Well, I picked op the thing (actually more of a thingy). Dial looks nice. So does the case. Caseback, which had a protective sticker on it), looks like it was polished and had circular graining applied. Gonna have the movement number checked at Longines. Nice movement by the way.