Dear everyone, It’s been a while since I have posted but this one is such a lovely watch and such a lovely story that I’d be remiss not to share it. Until today this watch belonged to the dealer known on Instagram as @watches_in_amsterdam (his shop is called Vintage Times Amsterdam)—let me call him T. We had had a couple discussions on IG before. This particular watch showed up on T’s Instagram account, over a year ago. He had purchased it as a present for a special person who it turns out is not into watches. Of course I was highly interested, but T loves this watch (quite understandably) and it did not seem he would ever let it go. Around Thanksgiving, as I was with family appropriately giving thanks, T. sent me a message I did not expect. Let’s just say he decided the watch did not belong in a safe and should be worn by a true enthusiast who will truly appreciate it. And let’s just say he was generous and selfless beyond anything I could have imagined on Instagram from someone whose job it is to sell watches. So the message is, there are good people out there, whose characters and values rise above the wild jungle. As the saying goes: «buy the seller.» Thanks T. for letting me have this lovely watch. I did not have time to open it, but here are the shots I was able to take so far. I will update when I have a chance.
Lovely piece .. a Syrte watch to be sure! Wear in good health. Yes there are decent folks out there selling watches. They should be celebrated.
Congratulations, S. It looks at home on your wrist. So many wonderful details: the funky dial, the lovely engraving, that low-profile crystal, and even the "222" case number. Not too many micro 3T's around and this one is ace. Do you know the reference number?
It is a lovely watch! I love the dial and numeral markers. In 1943 Daisie Jones was esteemed by some folks in the U. S. A.. Wouldn't it be great if the watch could speak. I wonder if it will be found to feature the 8LM movement. http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&Longines_8_68N Mrs. noelekal has watch similar to yours.
Thanks to all of you dear gents, I agree wholeheartedly on all counts, the beautiful Breguet numerals and funky dial details, and the heartwarming inscription at the back. @DirtyDozen12 I don’t know the reference number yet but for sure I will let you know when I find out. @noelekal that is very interesting, you are right that Ms. Noelekal’s beautiful gold sei tacche looks like it has the exact same stepped bezel as this one. Which would be yet another example of Longines « mixing and matching » bezel styles and caseback styles on ladies watches of the era at least. Also I’m sure we’ll find out the caliber inside is 8LN since this is a US watch with 8.68 center seconds movement, and the « L » and « LN » nomenclature is the one adopted for the US market. Thanks again for your kind words— and if you’re ever in Amsterdam you now have a strong endorsement for a watch place to check out.
What a lovely little watch(love that minute track), great story too, tis the season and all that. You'll enjoy wearing that for sure.