Here we have a 1943 Longines ‘Sei Tacche’ Stainless Steel watch. It is an early water-resistant case design, with the 6 notch (Sei Tacche) screw back. It is a reference 22702 with a silver satin dial, having clear railroad track, luminous Arabic numerals and in-set sub second dial. Inside is the calibre 12.68Z shockproof movement, which has Geneva striping and is functioning very well, keeping accurate time.
 
We are long term admirers of Longines watches. The brand, over time are receiving the respect they deserve from a wider variety of collectors. The level of design, craftsmanship and innovation that Longines have demonstrated, particularly throughout the mid-century period, cannot be ignored. 
 
A prime example which has attracted significant attention are the ‘Tre-Tacche’ and ‘Sei Tacche’ watches from the lates 1930s, into the 1940s. The name is given to the case back design, with 3 (Tre) and 6 (Sei) notches to the case back. 
The cult following is warranted considering that they are one of the finest executions of balanced, robust tool/military watch design.
 
The dial is original and has a silver satin tone which has aged evenly to the outside to a yellow hue. It has a clear railroad minute track which demonstrates the desired legibility of the watch. This dovetails with the large Arabic numerals which have radium luminous in-fill. The sub-seconds are sunk into the dial, providing depth to the dial. Further texture is provided by the raised concentric circle design within the sub-dial. It has clear small railroad track, with 10 second Arabic markers and single second graduations. The Longines name sits below 12 O’clock, clear but somewhat smaller than signing tends to be, as not to distract from the importance of clear timekeeping. The syringe style hands are thermally blued, with a bright blue tone. They have aged luminous in-fill which is intact. 
 
The case is an early water-resistant design, with an iconic crown design and two-piece case, with the famous notched screwback. The stepped bezel design frames the dial and protects it. The lugs are chunky and sturdy as expected on such a design. The case is brushed to the sides. To the rear the lugs have a brushed finish with the case number clearly visible matching the case back. There are fracture lines along the centre of the rear of the lugs. This is due to the use of press-forming from factory, with original minor defect. This is visible on other examples of this specific reference. 
The notches are defined with the brushed finishing and the case reference and number clear. Inside the back is signed with the Longines name.
 
The movement is of top quality as expected from Longines. It is a calibre 12.68Z. It has gold chatons in which the jewels are set and also has eye catching Geneva stripe finishing. It has a jewel count of 17 and a frequency of 18,000 BPH. The movement has the uncommon Simrex shock absorber system. It is keeping time to within +20 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 original and is in good condition. It has a silver satin tone which has aged evenly to the outside to a yellow hue. It has a railroad minute track which is good and clear. The arabic numerals have luminous in-fill remaining. The sub-second track is sunk and is good and clear. The Longines name has some slight wear but is visible. There is a slight darker spot to the centre of the dial.
 
Hands: 
The hands are of luminous syringe style and are original. They are in good condition with aged lume in-fill and bright thermally blued finish. The sub-second hand is original with lollipop counter balance.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition with no marking. 
 
Crown: 
The Steel crown is stainless steel and is original. It has some minor 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 brushed finish. The case has been polished throughout its life. 
There are fracture lines along the centre of the rear of the lugs. This is due to the use of press-forming from factory, with original minor defect. This is visible on other examples of this specific reference. The spring bars are secure and the lugs will not ‘break’.
 
Caseback:
The screw on case back is in decent condition for the age. It has been refinished in the past, with the brushed finish re-instated. The reference and serial number engraving are clear. There is light surface scratching associated with age and some smaller harsher marks from poor opening.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap 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 shock protection. The finishing is good with Geneva striping. 
 
The movement service history is unknown, but it has been checked over and is in very good condition. It’s keeping time to within +20 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 345 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 33mm
Case width with crown: 35.75mm 
Case length: 33mm 
Case length lug to lug: 40.75mm
Case Depth: 11.5mm
Lug width: 17mm