A handsome and classically styled vintage Longines gentleman's wristwatch, dating to approximately 1956, featuring a solid 14K yellow gold case, Swiss manual-wind mechanical movement, and an attractive original-style dial displaying the distinctive patina of its approximately 70-year history.
Manufactured by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Longines, this elegant mid-century timepiece represents the understated sophistication and fine mechanical craftsmanship for which the company has long been recognized.
The watch features a beautifully proportioned 33mm solid 14K yellow gold case, with a polished circular bezel, angular stepped lugs, and a traditional winding crown. Its refined proportions and slim profile reflect the classic gentleman's dress watches of the 1950s, making it equally suitable for formal occasions or everyday vintage wear.
The most distinctive feature is its beautifully aged, champagne-coloured dial, displaying extensive natural patination, fine crazing, and tonal variations developed over decades. This aged finish provides a wonderful vintage character and is particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate the appearance of period wristwatches.
The dial is adorned with applied gold-tone Arabic numerals at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, complemented by faceted, tapered hour markers at the remaining positions. A pair of elegant gold-tone hands indicates the hours and minutes, while a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position provides a classic finishing touch.
The dial is signed LONGINES, accompanied by the company's celebrated winged hourglass emblem, one of the most recognizable trademarks in Swiss horology.
Protecting the dial is a prominently domed crystal, characteristic of the era, adding to the watch's attractive mid-century appearance.
Swiss Mechanical Movement
The watch houses a traditional Longines 17-jewel Swiss manual-wind mechanical movement, signed:
LONGINES WATCH CO.
SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS
UNADJUSTED SWISS
The finely constructed movement features traditional mechanical architecture, with visible winding wheels, jeweled bearings, and a manually wound mainspring mechanism.
Unlike modern quartz watches, this timepiece operates entirely through mechanical energy supplied by manually winding the crown. Its construction reflects the traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques for which Longines was highly regarded throughout the twentieth century.
Solid 14K Gold Case
The watch is housed in a genuine solid 14K yellow gold case, with the exterior caseback appropriately marked 14 KARAT GOLD.
The interior caseback is additionally stamped:
LONGINES – WITTNAUER
WATCH CO. INC.
NEW YORK
GENEVA MONTREAL
STAR W.C. CO.
14K GOLD
2226-P
The markings identify the case as a 14K gold example associated with Longines-Wittnauer's North American distribution and the Star Watch Case Company.
The use of a Swiss Longines movement housed in a domestically manufactured precious-metal case was a common practice for watches distributed within the North American market during this period.
The case features attractively styled angular lugs, providing an interesting architectural contrast to the otherwise traditional circular watch case.
Strap
The watch is presently fitted with a black textured leather strap, featuring a traditional gold-tone pin buckle. The dark strap provides an attractive contrast against the warm yellow gold case and complements the watch's classic vintage appearance.
Details
Manufacturer: Longines
Origin: Swiss movement, North American market case
Period: Circa 1956
Style: Gentleman's dress wristwatch
Case Material: Solid 14K yellow gold
Case Diameter: Approximately 33mm, excluding crown
Movement: Swiss mechanical, manual winding
Jewels: 17
Dial: Aged champagne-coloured dial with pronounced vintage patina
Hour Markers: Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals and faceted hour markers
Hands: Gold-tone hour and minute hands
Seconds: Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
Crystal: Domed crystal
Case Design: Circular polished bezel with angular stepped lugs
Caseback Marking: 14 KARAT GOLD
Interior Caseback: Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co. Inc., Star W.C. Co.
Case Reference: 2226-P
Strap: Black textured leather
Buckle: Gold-tone pin buckle
Condition
The watch is presented in vintage condition, displaying age-related wear consistent with its approximately 70-year history. Not recently serviced but running and keeping accurate time tested over a 24 hour period.
The dial exhibits substantial patination, including visible crazing, discoloration, and surface aging throughout. These characteristics contribute to its distinctive vintage appearance and have been retained rather than cosmetically refinished.
The solid 14K yellow gold case displays surface scratches, light abrasions, and general handling wear consistent with age and previous use. The domed crystal also exhibits visible surface marks.
The black leather strap is fitted to the watch as photographed.
Please examine the accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
A handsome and classically styled vintage Longines gentleman's wristwatch, dating to approximately 1956, featuring a solid 14K yellow gold case, Swiss manual-wind mechanical movement, and an attractive original-style dial displaying the distinctive patina of its approximately 70-year history.
Manufactured by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Longines, this elegant mid-century timepiece represents the understated sophistication and fine mechanical craftsmanship for which the company has long been recognized.
The watch features a beautifully proportioned 33mm solid 14K yellow gold case, with a polished circular bezel, angular stepped lugs, and a traditional winding crown. Its refined proportions and slim profile reflect the classic gentleman's dress watches of the 1950s, making it equally suitable for formal occasions or everyday vintage wear.
The most distinctive feature is its beautifully aged, champagne-coloured dial, displaying extensive natural patination, fine crazing, and tonal variations developed over decades. This aged finish provides a wonderful vintage character and is particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate the appearance of period wristwatches.
The dial is adorned with applied gold-tone Arabic numerals at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, complemented by faceted, tapered hour markers at the remaining positions. A pair of elegant gold-tone hands indicates the hours and minutes, while a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position provides a classic finishing touch.
The dial is signed LONGINES, accompanied by the company's celebrated winged hourglass emblem, one of the most recognizable trademarks in Swiss horology.
Protecting the dial is a prominently domed crystal, characteristic of the era, adding to the watch's attractive mid-century appearance.
Swiss Mechanical Movement
The watch houses a traditional Longines 17-jewel Swiss manual-wind mechanical movement, signed:
LONGINES WATCH CO.
SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS
UNADJUSTED SWISS
The finely constructed movement features traditional mechanical architecture, with visible winding wheels, jeweled bearings, and a manually wound mainspring mechanism.
Unlike modern quartz watches, this timepiece operates entirely through mechanical energy supplied by manually winding the crown. Its construction reflects the traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques for which Longines was highly regarded throughout the twentieth century.
Solid 14K Gold Case
The watch is housed in a genuine solid 14K yellow gold case, with the exterior caseback appropriately marked 14 KARAT GOLD.
The interior caseback is additionally stamped:
LONGINES – WITTNAUER
WATCH CO. INC.
NEW YORK
GENEVA MONTREAL
STAR W.C. CO.
14K GOLD
2226-P
The markings identify the case as a 14K gold example associated with Longines-Wittnauer's North American distribution and the Star Watch Case Company.
The use of a Swiss Longines movement housed in a domestically manufactured precious-metal case was a common practice for watches distributed within the North American market during this period.
The case features attractively styled angular lugs, providing an interesting architectural contrast to the otherwise traditional circular watch case.
Strap
The watch is presently fitted with a black textured leather strap, featuring a traditional gold-tone pin buckle. The dark strap provides an attractive contrast against the warm yellow gold case and complements the watch's classic vintage appearance.
Details
Manufacturer: Longines
Origin: Swiss movement, North American market case
Period: Circa 1956
Style: Gentleman's dress wristwatch
Case Material: Solid 14K yellow gold
Case Diameter: Approximately 33mm, excluding crown
Movement: Swiss mechanical, manual winding
Jewels: 17
Dial: Aged champagne-coloured dial with pronounced vintage patina
Hour Markers: Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals and faceted hour markers
Hands: Gold-tone hour and minute hands
Seconds: Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
Crystal: Domed crystal
Case Design: Circular polished bezel with angular stepped lugs
Caseback Marking: 14 KARAT GOLD
Interior Caseback: Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co. Inc., Star W.C. Co.
Case Reference: 2226-P
Strap: Black textured leather
Buckle: Gold-tone pin buckle
Condition
The watch is presented in vintage condition, displaying age-related wear consistent with its approximately 70-year history. Not recently serviced but running and keeping accurate time tested over a 24 hour period.
The dial exhibits substantial patination, including visible crazing, discoloration, and surface aging throughout. These characteristics contribute to its distinctive vintage appearance and have been retained rather than cosmetically refinished.
The solid 14K yellow gold case displays surface scratches, light abrasions, and general handling wear consistent with age and previous use. The domed crystal also exhibits visible surface marks.
The black leather strap is fitted to the watch as photographed.
Please examine the accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
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