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 champagne 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 Champagne tone dial is original but 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 average condition for the age. It is a champagne tone which has darkened. It has darker spots of ageing and spider like cracking to the outer section of the dial. 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 signed Longines 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 average condition. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing, as well as nicks around the bezel. 
 
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. 
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap with metal tabs for fixed lugs.
 
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