Hi there
I recently picked up this Longines and despite a lot of googling and research I am really struggling to identify it.

It was bought at auction as a ref 6624/6626 with a cal 12.68ZS movement

Serial 9.807.482
35mm case

The lugs obviously suggest it should be put on a military style strap and it has an obvious pilots watch design.

The case is black with a steel crown and 2 piece case.

Apparently issued to Baume & Co in 1954.

TIA
HH

 

Likely bolted to some type of vehicle. I would say a car, given its small size, though I suppose it could have been an airplane.

Assuming that the case is original, it was not designed to be worn on a wrist by a pilot, or anyone else.

 

I did consider this but then would you issue it Baume & Co? Surely it would have been sent to the vehicle manufacturer? Unless Baume sent it onto them.

 

This source says "In 1876 Baume & Company became the exclusive importers of Longines watches into Britain and the British Empire, a role which they held until the mid 1960s."

That would suggest your clock would have gone through Baume to get to the end-user, presumably a vehicle manufacturer. The clock has a mounting bracket that looks similar to those used on dashboard clocks of the era.

 

Yes, they were the official Longines distributor in the U.K., everything would have gone through them.

 

Is that a non luminous dial and hand set?

 

Unusual piece. Do you have photos of the inside of the case-back and movement? Have you contact Longines to inquire about the reference number that is associated with the serial number?

 

Other than an extract from the archives just stating the ref number and issue date and agents I have nothing else.

I may try and enquire further though.

 

Thanks for all your help chaps, much appreciated!

 

How are the lugs for bolts attached to the case? Do they look like they came from the factory like that or an alteration? That case doesn't look like a case from 1954, to my eye it looks earlier. Is it possible to see a pic of the mid case with the case back off? There is often a specific reason to have a time piece with no luminous material at this date.

 

Hi there
I'll try and upload more pics soon.
Thanks
HH

 

That gun metal case and plain dial would suggest a rather industrial application. Military vehicle would be my bet.

 

Looks like it may never have been installed.

 

Could have been a design that was in production for a decade or more.

... or a Vespa!




pics from https://www.amazon.com/Clock-for-all-Vespa-Scooters/dp/B0047IMSOC

 

Here are some more pics

There is no crude soldering or anything so I believe this is how it was made in the factory.

Thanks again for your help. The more I'm reading the more I feel it may be off a military vehicle of some sort.

 

If so, then the Extract may indicate that it was sold to a military supplier.

 

Extract just says Baume & Co. I've ended up emailing Longines to see if they can provide any further Information. I'll update you when they reply.

 

They might be able to provide an image of the reference. If you are able to post photos of the inside of the case-back, that would also provide clues.

 

Stumbled across this on eBay with similar brackets attached. It's a decent call but I am still not sure it's a gun camera timepiece though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284557744190?hash=item4240f6983e:g:rXIAAOSw5F9fKBtzPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network