Rare LONGINES "Italian Railways" Pocket Watch. c.1904

Rare LONGINES "Italian Railways" Pocket Watch. c.1905

Rare LONGINES "Italian Railways" Pocket Watch. c.1904 (Case Back)

Rare LONGINES "Italian Railways" Pocket Watch. c.1904 (Movement)

Rare Longines railroad pocket watch with unusual locking case, made for Ferrovie dello Stato (Italian State Railways). Dating from around 1905.

Solid, robust nickel case with a hinged bezel and back, both with an attractive, annulated design. Case also has an inner dust cover. Back and bezel both have tabs attached to their edges which locate together allowing the case to be locked/sealed preventing the movement and dial being tampered with. Lever hand setting mechanism (lever located under bezel at the 2 o'clock position). Case signed, "Longines" and stamped with the serial number "1706035". Back of case engraved with a cypher containing the Italian Railway initials "F.S." and the serial number "11997" (F.S. = Ferrovie dello Stato = Italian State Railways - refer to the book "Longines" by Marozzi & Toselli). Fitted with glass crystal in perfect condition. Case diameter (not including pendant or locking tabs) : 55mm. Case condition : 85%.

Original white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds. Bold black Roman numerals. Dial signed, "Longines". Blue steel hands. Dial condition : 100%.

Nice quality, gilt, 15 jewel movement. Signed, "Longines". Bimetallic compensation balance wheel. Breguet over-coil hairspring. Movement condition (appearance) : 90%. Recently serviced. Time keeping : good.

The Italian State Railways (Ferrovie dello Stato) was formed in 1905 and is still in existence today.

For more information on the Ferrovie dello Stato, please click on the following link (translated from Italian) :

Ferrovie dello Stato

The Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon S.A. was formed in the 1830s by Ernest Francillon at Saint-Imier, Switzerland and has always been renowned for design and precision. Famous aviators, explorers and pioneers have all consulted Longines. The company provided timers used at the first modern day Olympics in 1892 and has been closely associated with the worldwide development of sport timing ever since. It has been responsible for timekeeping at no less than fourteen Olympic Games.

For more information on the Longines, please click on the following link :

Longines

Inventory No. 379

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