Here we have a war time, 1941 Longines Calatrava reference 2326. The case is also signed with the ref 21225 which can be seen on other examples. It has a 32.5mm stainless steel case, with broad bezel design and snap-on case back. The dial is a patinated champagne tone, with speckled ageing. It has silver leaf style hands, with sunk sub-seconds register. It has beautiful, raised batons with Arabic 9,12,3 with double dash marks. Inside is the gilt finished Longines calibre 12.68Z movement, which has been recently serviced. This is a good original example, with extract from the archive.  
 
The watch was invoiced on 15th May 1941 to the company Ostersetzer, which was Longines agent in Italy at the time. 
 
The Calatrava style is widely recognised as one of the purest and most beautiful designs of 20th century horology. The design centres around a broad bezel, clear hour markers, simple yet elegant hands and a sub-second register at 6 O’clock.
 
The dial is a beautiful piece of design. It has attractive patination, with the dial having aged to a Crème Brule tone. It has speckled ageing, which is unique and evenly spread. There are simple minute dashes around the outside of the dial, with raised broad batons for the hours. There is a stylish balance to the dial, with the Arabic 9, 12, 3, having double dash markers. The dial is signed Longines below 12, with the sunken sub-second register above 6 O’clock with subtle circular graining, which has a sunburst effect in the light. 
The time is indicated by the original silver tone Leaf style hands, with the sub-second hand having a neat counterbalance design. 
 
The dial is surrounded by the flat, broad bezel, which adds presence to the typically smaller size of the case. The lugs follow the follow of the case, extending outwards, before turning downwards with a sharp point to the edge. This is another factor which makes the watch wear larger than its width, with the lug-to-lug measurement of 40mm. With the late taper to the lugs and the thin snap on back, the case has a sleek and comfortable profile at 11mm deep with crystal. To the right is the neat original crown with coin edge finish. 
 
The inside of the snap-on case back has perlage finishing, with the Longines signing and winged hour glass logo. It is signed as Stainless Steel, with the reference 21225 and the case number 186. 
 
The watch is powered by a classic mid-century Longines calibre, the 12.68Z. It has a beautiful gilt finish, with chatons surrounding the jewels. It is keeping time to within +30 seconds a day, having been recently serviced. 
 
An excellent piece of design, from a quality brand. A welcome piece within any collection.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in good patinated condition. It is an aged Champagne tone which has developed a crème Brulé patination. It has speckled ageing. The minute dashes around the exterior are clear, with the black longines signing below 12. The applied hour markers are a gold tone, which has darkened and corroded slightly with age. The sub-second dial is good with clear markings. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are of leaf style and are original. They are in decent condition with the silver tone. The sub-second hand is original. There is some corrosion to the finish of the hands, fitting with age. 
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition. It has two light marks.
 
Crown: 
The Steel crown is stainless steel and is original. It has some marking to the polished finish.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in decent condition for the age. The bezel and top of the lugs have a polished finish, with the brushed finish to the sides. The rear of the lugs have a polished finish. The case has signs of polishing over its life. There is some pitting to the case where the case back meets the rear. There is some denting to the movement surround, from opening attempts. 
 
Caseback:
The snap-on case back is in decent condition for the age. The outside has a brushed finish, which has naturally polished with age. It has some light scratching.
Inside it has the Longines stamping. It has corrosion and pitting around the rim where it meets the case. 
 
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 12.68Z. 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 +30 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 degrees and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 32.5mm
Case width with crown: 34.25mm 
Case length: 32.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 11mm
Lug width: 15mm