Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Longines Greenlander British Military issue stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference 8707

Partially verified

This is a Longines British Military issue 'Greenlander' stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference 8707, dating to circa 1945. The auction catalogue documents a 37mm stainless steel case featuring fixed lug bars and a screw-down back marked with a military broad arrow and 'WWW F86xx 23088 4929'. The black dial has Arabic numerals, dot markers, an outer minute track, luminous cathedral hands, and a broad arrow over a subsidiary seconds dial. It houses a 15-jewel gilt manual movement, calibre 12.68Z. Information supplied from Longines Branding & Heritage indicates the watch was invoiced on 26 December 1945 to Baume & Co.

Longines British Military issue WWW 'Greenlander' reference 8707 wristwatch
Longines British Military issue WWW 'Greenlander' reference 8707 wristwatch — Gardiner Houlgate. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
8707
Catalogue / lot identifier
365
Source-reported date
circa 1945
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
7006xxx

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

Military Specification and Case Structure

The auction description documents a 37mm stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch featuring fixed bars and a screw back stamped with a military broad arrow and the issue markings 'WWW F86xx 23088 4929'. The condition report notes light scratching on the case back, characterizing it as typical wear.

Visual observations record a stepped stainless steel round case with a fluted crown at 3 o'clock. The auctioneer confirms that the crown adjusts correctly and notes that the watch is fitted with a modern black leather strap.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case with fixed bars, screw back with Military arrow and issue markings 'WWW F86xx 23088 4929', black leather strap, 37mm”
  • “some light scratching to the case back, but generally typical marks - see images”
  • “Stepped stainless steel round case fitted with fixed bars and a black strap.”
  • “Crown - adjusts correctly.”
  • “modern strap”

Dial Configuration and Visible State

The black dial is catalogued with Arabic numerals, dot markers, an outer minute track, luminous-set cathedral hands, and a military arrow positioned above the subsidiary seconds dial. Observed directly, the dial shows the military broad arrow marking beneath the 'LONGINES' signature, with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock.

The auctioneer's condition notes describe the dial as having original patina with some expected wear, with matching patina on the hands. Direct observation notes aged luminous fill and patina on the cathedral hands, while the fitted glass presents light surface marks.

Evidence for this section
  • “the black dial with Arabic numerals, dot markers, minute track and luminous set Cathedral hands, with Military arrow over subsidiary seconds”
  • “Black dial with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock and military broad arrow marking beneath 'LONGINES'.”
  • “original patina with some wear as expected - see images for guidance”
  • “Hands - nice patina to match the dial.”
  • “Cathedral-style hour and minute hands showing aged luminous fill and patina.”
  • “Glass - surface marks present.”

Mechanism and Archival Invoicing Record

The timepiece is powered by a 15-jewel gilt calibre 12.68Z manual movement, recorded under serial number 7006xxx. The auctioneer reports the movement as currently functioning, while formally noting that working order and time accuracy are not guaranteed.

Information supplied by Longines Branding & Heritage indicates the watch was invoiced on 26 December 1945 to Baume & Co., who served as Longines' UK agents at that time. The auction entry records that no box or papers accompany the lot.

Evidence for this section
  • “cal. 12.68Z 15 jewel gilt movement”
  • “serial no. 7006xxx”
  • “Movement - currently functioning.”
  • “Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots.”
  • “Information supplied by Longines Branding & Heritage - invoiced on 26 December 1945 to the company Baume & Co, which was at the time agents in the UK”
  • “Box and Papers - no”

Open research questions

  • What are the unredacted full serial digits for the calibre 12.68Z movement ('7006xxx') and the case back issue code ('F86xx')?
  • Does the luminous material on the cathedral hands and dial dots consist of original radium compound or later treatment?
  • Do internal case back markings include matching case assembly or order numbers corresponding to the external stamps '23088' and '4929'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines Greenlander British Military issue stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference 8707
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference8707“reference 8707”
Serial Number7006xxx“serial no. 7006xxx”
Movement Calibrecal. 12.68Z“cal. 12.68Z 15 jewel gilt movement”
Issue MarkingsWWW F86xx 23088 4929“screw back with Military arrow and issue markings 'WWW F86xx 23088 4929'”
Invoice Date26 December 1945“invoiced on 26 December 1945 to the company Baume & Co”
UK Agent DestinationBaume & Co“to the company Baume & Co, which was at the time agents in the UK”
Accompanying MaterialNone (no original box or papers)“Box and Papers - no”

Visible details

  • Black dial with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock and military broad arrow marking beneath 'LONGINES'.
  • Cathedral-style hour and minute hands showing aged luminous fill and patina.
  • Stepped stainless steel round case fitted with fixed bars and a black strap.
  • Prominent fluted crown positioned at 3 o'clock; glass displays light surface marks.

Research qualifications

  • Serial and case back issue numbers are partially redacted in the auction catalogue ('7006xxx', 'F86xx').
  • Auction house notes the movement is functioning but does not guarantee time accuracy or water resistance.

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

Consulted source

Longines Greenlander British Military issue stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference 870

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b1375b1612

Terms in this record

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

Other military wristwatch records