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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Deck watch

Longines 'Chronometre' Eight-Day Deck Watch

Partially verified

This Longines 'Chronometre' deck watch, identified by serial number 4007468 and dated circa 1922, is an eight-day-going keyless timepiece housed within a gimbaled mahogany box. The watch features a brass case with a threaded glazed bezel. Its silvered dial displays champlevé upright Arabic numerals, an outer minute ring, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and an up/down winding indicator positioned at 12 o'clock. The time is indicated by blued steel spade hands. The movement is a 52 mm, 23-ligne, rhodium-plated half-plate construction with 19 jewels, a five-wheel train, and a straight-line lever escapement. Technical components include a cut bimetallic compensation balance, a Breguet balance spring, and a patented micrometric cam-type regulator. The piece is signed on the dial, movement, and box. The assembly measures 10 cm in height with a width and depth of 14.5 cm, and the gimbals are secured via a swiveling arm.

The Longines deck watch in its mahogany box with gimbal mounting, showing the silvered dial and up/down indicator.
The Longines deck watch in its mahogany box with gimbal mounting, showing the silvered dial and up/down indicator. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Clock · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
247
Source-reported date
circa 1922
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
4007468

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Exterior

The timepiece is contained within a two-body mahogany box designed for maritime use. The box features brass hardware, including corner reinforcements and a hinge system. The watch itself is set within a gimbal mechanism, which allows the instrument to remain level despite the motion of a vessel. A locking mechanism is provided for the gimbals, consisting of a swiveling arm that presses against the base of the cylinder.

The watch case is constructed from brass and incorporates a threaded, glazed bezel. The overall dimensions of the box are 10 cm in height by 14.5 cm in width and depth.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brass bawl with threaded glazed bezel gimbaled in two-body mahogany box”
  • “gimbals ring locked by swiveling arm pressing sideways against the base of the cylinder”
  • “Dim. Height 10 cm., width and depth 14.5 cm.”

Dial and Hands

The silvered dial is marked with upright Arabic numerals executed in champlevé. The dial layout includes an outer ring for minute tracking. Subsidiary indications are provided via a sunk seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position and an up/down winding indicator positioned at 12 o'clock.

The time is displayed using blued steel hands in a spade configuration. The auction description notes that the dial currently exhibits signs of oxidation.

Evidence for this section
  • “silvered, champlevé upright Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, Arabic sunk seconds on subsidiary dial at 6 o'clock, up/down indicator at 12 o'clock.”
  • “Blued steel "Spade" hands.”
  • “Dial: 3-7-01 Good Oxidized”

Movement and Escapement

The internal mechanism is a 52 mm (23-ligne) half-plate movement with a rhodium-plated finish. The gear train consists of five wheels and the movement contains 19 jewels. A straight-line lever escapement provides the pulse of the watch, regulated by a cut bimetallic compensation balance and a Breguet balance spring.

A notable feature of this movement is the inclusion of a patented micrometric cam-type regulator for precision adjustment. The auction documentation states that the movement currently requires an overhaul.

Evidence for this section
  • “52 mm. (23???), rhodium-plated, half-plate, five-wheel train, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement”
  • “cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, patented micrometric ?cam? type regulator.”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific meaning of the '3-14' and '3-7-01' grading codes used by the auction house?
  • Was this deck watch produced for a specific navy or maritime organization?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines 'Chronometre' Eight-Day Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Serial Number4007468“No. 4007468”
Movement Size52 mm“M. 52 mm. (23???)”
Jewel Count19 jewels“19 jewels”
Box MaterialMahogany“two-body mahogany box”
Regulator TypePatented micrometric cam type“patented micrometric ?cam? type regulator”
Dial FeaturesChamplevé numerals“champlevé upright Arabic numerals”
Case ConstructionBrass with threaded bezel“Brass bawl with threaded glazed bezel”
Overall Dimensions10 cm H x 14.5 cm W x 14.5 cm D“Dim. Height 10 cm., width and depth 14.5 cm.”

Visible details

  • Mahogany box with brass corner reinforcements and locking hinge
  • Gimbal mechanism visible around the watch case
  • Up/down winding indicator displayed prominently at 12 o'clock
  • Swiveling arm lock for the gimbal ring

Research qualifications

  • The auction description reports the movement is in need of overhaul
  • Dial is reported as oxidized

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Longines 'Chronometre', No. 4007468, circa 1922. Very fine eight day-going keyless deck watch with 8-day winding indicator.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 72222e84dd

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.