Longines - No reserve price - Unisex - 1947

For sale we have an example of a rare Longines model sold in the UK market throughout the 1940s. This example dates to 1947, with a 9ct gold case that has British hallmarking. The case is designed by EBE (Edward Browning Eustance) and has flexible lugs which are unusual and appealing in their design. The case has a water-resistant design with a screw back and front section of the watch that screws into the case, similar to a Borgel design. The silvered dial is clear with lumed Arabic numerals and second track. Inside is the Longines cal 12.68N movement which is high grade and has been recently serviced.

Edward Browning Eustance created this case, which is only seen in UK retailed watches. He held several patents from 1930 through to 1950, one of which was this specific case design. The cases can be seen with notable examples from Cyma, Longines and Mappin. Smaller brands also used the case, such as Yeoman.

Flexible lugs are useful for the watch to fit the wrist snuggly. It also allows for the watch to be moved when driving so it can be seen when holding a steering wheel. The case has a coin edge screw back, with the central section that holds the movement screwing into the central section of the case. Inventive and collectable, these watches are a unique design within this time period.

The 9ct gold case is formed of 3 pieces, with a centre piece having the swivel lugs, a screw on bezel and screw on case back. It is signed with the ‘EBE’ mark, whilst it has British hallmarks from London assay office dating to 1947. It is neatly proportioned at 31mm x 34.5mm, but with a lug-to-lug measurement of 42.25mm this adds significant presence on the wrist.

The silvered tone dial is original and nicely aged. It has Arabic numerals, with the original lume in-fill, with seconds register around the exterior and simple Longines signing below 12 O’clock. The thermally blued hands have darkened with age, but are original, with the original lume in-fill.

The movement is a Longines cal 12.68N. It is manual wind, with a sweep second hand and a jewel count of 17. It is a top-quality movement with high grade finishing including settings around the jewels and jewelled centre wheel. The watch has been recently serviced by ourselves and is keeping good time.

Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition for the age. It is a silvered tone which still has great definition. . The radium lume on the Arabic numerals is original. The signing is clear.

Hands:
The hands are original with the original radium lume. The hands are thermally blued, but this has darkened with time as has the lume.

Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a modern replacement in perfect condition.

Crown:
The crown is plain and would appear to be a later replacement.

Case:
The 9ct gold case is formed of 3 pieces, with a centre piece having the swivel lugs, a screw on bezel and screw on case back. Overall it is in good condition. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing,

Caseback:
The case back is formed of 9ct gold and is in good condition. It has no denting, no inscription and only light surface scratching hallmarked London 1947.

Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap .

Movement:
The movement is a Longines cal 12.68N. It is manual wind, with a sweep second hand and a jewel count of 17. It is a top quality movement.

The watch has been recently serviced by ourselves. It’s keeping time to -40 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 285 degrees and a beat error of 1.3m/s.

Case dimensions:
Case width: 31mm
Case width with crown: 33.3mm
Case length: 34.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case Depth: 12mm
Lug width: 16mm
1947 Longines 9ct Gold flexible lug watch, EBE case, cal 12.68N, Rare model
watch comes in its original box


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