Watchlords

There are few brands that take as much pride in their heritage as Longines. Not surprising, really, when you consider that the winged hourglass brand pioneered the way for the reissue. In fact, the Saint-Imier manufacturer is so proud of their history that their own museum is home to more than 10,000 historic pieces, while the brand also routinely holds competitions around the world in search of their oldest watches.

Until recently, that honour fell to the 335th piece produced by Longines, but now, with the help of a dedicated Japanese-American collector, Longines have found a pocket watch with the serial number 183, dating the “savonnette” type silver pocket watch to the year 1867.

https://timeandtidewatches.com/news-ima ... atch-date/

I know the owner who posts on the MilitaryWatchResource as Seiji.
He paid very little for it and will be leaving it to Longines when he passes on.

http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthre ... ever-found

I have always liked these guys but something nice for the 'ol collection has always eluded me.

When I see watches from that era I am always curious as to the state of the lume.

It appears that Longines, like a lot of others, started by modifying ebauches. The movement is - with a considerable dose of certainty - a Lepine V ebauche (made either by FHF in Switzerland or by Japy Freres in France) with modified bridges.