#163 • Longines, observatory grade w/Guillaume balance, very heavy 18K HC

Part of 261022 - "Fall Featured Auction" Horology, Jewelry & Coins - October 1 - 22 (timed auction by Jones & Horan Auctions)

High bid $4,200.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Oct 22, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

EPW - Longines, Swiss, Caliber 19.96 with Guillaume balance wheel, serial number to dial plate near balance as required for observatory timing trial submission, 52mm, very heavy 18K gold original HC with Jürgensen-style lips, gold cuvette signed as "Longines Cronómetro" and featuring medallions representing many of Longines' accolades won in the Paul Ditisheim Grand Prix competition at the 1900 Paris Word's Fair, white enamel dial with embossed PD monogram (for Paul Ditisheim), SW-LS, fully capped lever escapement, 21J, snail-cam regulator, winding wheel with inset stopworks, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#2044079 with matching serial number within case. Comes as pictured with a mahogany Longines presentation box with foldable stand for display and featuring an embossed liner, depicting fifteen decorated medallions similar those found on the cuvette. Gross weight of watch 77.9 dwt (121.1 g). A very attractive observatory-grade Longines, presumably submitted for timing trial competition. These watches were painstakingly prepared for competition by the maker's finest adjusters, or "régleurs," and achieving top-level results in these trials was an important means of reinforcing brand supremacy within the fiercely competitive Swiss watchmaking industry. CONDITION: Mvt: NR, ticking and stopping sporadically, overhaul needed, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, plates with scattered fine to micro-fine scratches and light hazing; dial with faint hl at 7, few scattered negligible pinpoint nicks; excellent hands with some micro-fine scratches; case shows little wear, few notable scratches to front, very subtle soft ding to front above center evident as ripple in reflection, scattered pinpoint nicks to band; bow pivots freely, crown shows light wear with some ridge break; crystal is missing. Box shows light to medium wear, button latch good. Estimate: $7,000 - $8,600 JH-80834