Key Features
The latest addition to our series of pocket watch conversion wristwatches, this hefty Longines ‘3 Stars’. The solid brushed stainless steel case body has been custom machined in our workshop, and houses the original and unrestored silver dial with a lovely and unique patina, and fitted with an old stock winding crown for vintage authenticity. The 3 stars visible on the dial were a mark of quality, marked by the CETEHOR horological agency back in the 1920’s. The fully serviced 18.80 calibre Longines movement is visible through the mineral glass display back. The decorative engravings are of note, they seem to imitate the style of engraving one would usually find on American brand such as Waltham and Elgin, which suggests that this watch was made for an American audience in mind!
About Longines
The Longines watch company was founded in 1832 by watchmaker Auguste Agassiz, and his two partners, Henri Raiguel and Florian Morel. Initially, the original name of the company was Raiguel Jeune & Cie. However, by 1846, Raigeul and Morel had retired from the watch industry, leaving Agassiz as the sole head of the company.
The name ‘Longines’ comes from a famous pocket watch model created in 1867 by a later head of the company, Ernest Francillon, who had established a manufactory outside the village of Saint-Imier in the meadows of the district Langgewann (Les Longines). This model became so popular that the company began to experience problems with counterfeiting, and so in 1889 the trademark name of ‘Longines’ was registered, making this company the oldest registered watch manufacturer in the world.
The success of Longines has a long history. They have developed highly regarded reputations in equestrian sports such as horse racing, due to their creation of the 20H ‘mono-pusher’ chronograph 1878, which enabled the creation of precise stopwatches suitable for timing professional events.
In the 1940’s, Longines actively collaborated with both UK and US allies, as well as with the Wehrmacht, supplying watches to all warring parties. Many military style watches from the company can be found. In 1945 Longines brought the first watch with automatic winding to market, and in 1952 they were the official timekeeper of the Olympic Winter Games in Oslo.
Today, Longines continues to thrive just as successfully as ever before, and along with Omega and Tissot, is one of the largest brands inside the Swatch Group.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. Make sure to follow the usage and care guidelines.
Overview
Case and Strap
- Brand new brushed stainless steel case.
- Old stock pocket watch winding crown.
- Mineral glass display back.
- New military style green seatbelt strap.
- Dustproof.
Dimensions:
- Width w/ crown: 50mm
- Width w/o crown: 47mm
- Height: 53mm
- Thickness: 12.5mm
- Strap: 18mm
Dial and Hands
- Original unrestored silver dial.
- Seconds subdial.
- Signed ‘Longines’ below 12 position, with 3 stars.
- Breguet style hands.
- Arabic numerals.
Movement
- Swiss made movement.
- Longines 18.80 calibre.
- 15 jewels.
- Manual wind.
- Seconds subdial.
- Bregeut type hairspring.
- Compensated balance with screw weights.
- American style decorative machine engravings.
Testing results:
- Testing duration: 1 week cyclic test
- Average timekeeping range: 25-50 secs/day
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- Care and usage guidelines.
