Here we have a 1918 18ct gold Longines cushion case watch. It has a bright white enamel dial, with italic font Arabic numerals and standout red 12. The thermally blued Plume hands display the time, with the sunken sub-second track at 6 O’clock. The cushion case is a beautiful classic shape, being a rich yellow tone with its 18ct gold construction. Inside of the case is marked with the Longines name, head of Helvetia and 18k signing. The calibre 11.84N movement has been recently serviced and is in good condition.
The dial is enamel and has the bright white finish. It has a railroad minute track around the outside, with italic font Arabic numerals. The Red 12 is original and stands out nicely. The Longines signing is also in an Italic font below 12. The sub-second dial is sunken at 6 O’clock and has a detailed railroad track with single second graduations. The thermally blued plume style hands shine brightly with a deep blue tone, as does the original sub-second hand.
The case measures 28mm x 28mm, a classic proportion for a gents cushion case of the era. The wire lugs extend the case slightly, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 31mm. With a slim depth of 8.5mm, it is a comfortable watch to wear.
It is a three-piece case design with snap on front, solid centre piece holding the movement with the fixed bar lugs, and the snap on back. The fixed bar lugs are sturdy and have a new leather strap attached. The tone of the case is even and is a bright yellow fitting of the 18ct gold composition. To the right of the case is the crown which is well fitted, with a coin edge finish. The case back has a personal engraving “12-9-903 Lolita”.
Inside the case back is signed with the head of Helvetia with the 18k stamp. It is signed Longines and the serial number matches the movement.
The movement is the Longines calibre 11.84N, which has a jewel count of 17 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has the classic gilt finishing of the era. The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within +90 seconds a day.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is formed of enamel and is original. It is in very good condition for the age. It has one light chip to the edge which is not visible when cased. The tone is bright white, with the original railroad track and hour markers. The sub-second is inset with clear seconds track. The Italic Longines signing is good and clear.
Hands:
The hands are of plume style and are original. They are in good condition with the thermally blued tone being bright. The sub-second hand is original.
Glass:
The cut glass has a bevelled edge and appears original. There is some marking to it, which is visible in some lights.
Crown:
The gold tone crown appears to be a later replacement but is in good condition.
Case:
The case is 18ct gold and is in good condition for the age. It is a three piece case, with snap on front, solid centre piece holding the movement with the fixed bar lugs, and the snap on back. There is only light surface scratching. It has a couple of small, dimpled dents. The yellow gold tone is good and even. The fixed bar lugs are strong with little wear.
Caseback:
The snap-on case back is formed of 18ct gold and is in good condition for the age. It has a polished finish with light surface scratching. It has a personal engraving from the time.
Inside it has the Longines name and Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with the head of Helvetia. The case serial matches the movement serial number.
Strap:
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap for fixed bar lugs, which is non Longines.
Movement:
The movement is a Longines calibre 11.84N. It has a jewel count of 17 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. It has gilt finishing.
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to within +90 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 275 degrees and a beat error of 2.5m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 28mm
Case width with crown: 29mm
Case length: 27.75mm
Case length lug to lug: 31mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Lug width: 18mm