Search for the Oldest Longines - 183. The historically important transitional Comptoir AA4 made 1867

I'm being told this is an 1869-1870 Longines 20B serial number 23311. I wonder if this would be a contender for oldest in a country.

I was going to hold off on saying anything but I can't control myself. The Oldest Watch Contest hasn't been held in several years. The management that influenced that contest has retired or left Longines for other careers. Not sure if there will be any future Oldest Watch Contest in the near future 183 may have made that contest pointless.

Also, watches in the past, I believe all had Longines original cases, movements, dial, and hands. So high original content was needed to be selected. The watch that won the UK for example, Longines actually even replaced the bow with an original one to make it more original.

Your watch has a case that does not appear to be Longines made. The stamped numbers match your serial number, however, they are not Longines factory numbers and not stamped in the fashion normally done by the factory as far as I know. I also do not see an EF Longines Co logo on your case. The case for the watch maybe locally produced in the country it was delivered to.

I would not throw the watch away, but if you are looking for a ultra low serial number, you might want to continue looking for something under 1,000; which are pretty darn hard to find as many are now in collections.

This logo is on cases for #183, #300, #335, #347, #561, #3166


#561


#300


#183


#3166

#3166 bottom and #183 top



#183 bottom next to #335 top


#347

Interesting article.

I'm currently trying to locate a bezel for the case and a period correct crystal if possible

Would anyone be able to assist in locating a case that I could use with this?

Good idea. I'll make now, thank you.

Another day another AA4 to find.