Longinespassion
 
LONGINES 12.68 Z “THE COLONEL” Few years ago , surfing on ebay UK I've found a very unusual timepiece made by Longines . The case was looking new to me ( screw bezel and screw back case in Staybrite stainless steel) and I asked to the vendor to give me the diameter and some more information. I've found an extremely kind man telling me that the watch use to belong to his father in law……. The diameter is 32 mm. ( without the crown) and it was coming from a regular service. All parts were looking original and I did not hesitate to bid firmly on it. As you can understand I won the bid and when the nice guy asked me about shipping details I kindly asked him if it was possible to know more about his father in law……. That's the reply : " He was in the Regular army before the 2nd World War and served in Palestine and Egypt and the watch would have been with him all this time. His rank upon retirement was Colonel. So you could say that this watch has seen service!" In the envelope I've found the picture of the former owner in his army dress. A very nice surprise….. Finally we are in front to a moister-proof double screwed case Longines from the late 20's ( the archive of St.-Imier confirmed the invoicing to Baume during 1929), all original and in his juicy patina knowing his past ….I added a 12mm Bonklip original bracelet to get completed the timepiece that I friendly named "the Colonel"……. Technical details -Staybrite double screwed moister-proof case with swinging lugs , diameter 32,00mm. - 6 mm. moister-proof crown - 5 million serial 12.68Z gilt movement - Silver gilt butler dial with sector pad printed graphics , typical of the period red 12 o'clock pad print index , Jay's London jeweller logo , Longines logo and SWISS MADE typical for Commonwealth timepieces. Baume & C° stamped ébauche. Very nice blued hands called " à feuilles revidées" , full set including seconds tiny hand. Many thanks to : Marino S. for his usual help Renato Zamberlan for his technical advise The family of Colonel Semmence for their nice , helpful and friendly relationship.