Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Single-button chronograph wristwatch

Longines Single Button Chronograph Wristwatch

Partially verified

This gentleman's wristwatch, produced by Longines and bearing the serial number 4223671, was delivered on October 28, 1926. It is constructed with a four-body sterling silver case measuring 35 mm in diameter, featuring a polished finish, straight lugs, a rounded bezel, and a hinged case back with an interior silver cuvette. The matte silver dial is equipped with radium-coated Arabic numerals and skeletal hands, incorporating two auxiliary guilloché registers for constant seconds and a 30-minute chronograph count, plus an outer fifths-of-a-second track. The movement is a gilt brass Caliber 1333 containing 18 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance, and a self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Chronograph functions, including start, stop, and return-to-zero, are operated via a single coaxial button integrated into the winding crown. The dial, case, and movement are each signed by Longines.

Front view of the Longines single button chronograph wristwatch in a sterling silver case.
Front view of the Longines single button chronograph wristwatch in a sterling silver case. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Single-button chronograph wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
178
Source-reported date
1926
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
4223671

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 Dial Construction

The watch is housed in a four-body solid sterling silver case featuring a polished exterior. The design utilizes a rounded bezel and straight lugs, with a hinged case back that reveals an internal silver cuvette.

The dial is finished in a matte silver and features radium-coated Arabic numerals. Time and chronographic information are displayed through two auxiliary guilloché-patterned registers: one for constant seconds and one for the 30-minute chronograph totalizer. The perimeter of the dial is printed with a scale divided into fifths of a second to facilitate precise timing. The hands are skeletonized and also treated with radium coating to improve visibility.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. four-body solid, polished, hinged case back, silver cuvette, rounded bezel, straight lugs.”
  • “D. matte silver with radium-coated Arabic numerals, auxiliary "guilloché" seconds and 30 minutes register dials, outer fifths of second scale.”

Movement and Chronograph Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by the gilt brass Caliber 1333, which contains 18 jewels. The mechanical architecture incorporates a straight-line lever escapement and a monometallic balance paired with a self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.

The chronograph functionality is managed via a single coaxial button located on the winding crown. This mechanism provides the user with control over the start, stop, and return-to-zero functions of the chronograph hand and associated registers, streamlining the interaction between the wearer and the complications of the watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. 1333, gilt brass, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring”
  • “the coaxial single button on the winding-crown is for start-stop and return to zero functions of te chronograph”

Condition and Identification

The auction description provides a grading assessment for the watch, assigning a 'Grade A' status to the overall piece. Individual components are graded numerically: the case is assigned a grade of 3, the movement is assigned a grade of 3*, and the dial is assigned a grade of 2. It is noted that an overhaul for the movement is recommended for the future owner.

Authentication of the watch is supported by the fact that the dial, case, and movement are all individually signed by the manufacturer, Longines. The watch is further identifiable by its serial number, 4223671, which correlates with the documented delivery date of October 28, 1926.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: A Good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 2”
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”
  • “Delivered on October 28, 1926.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 3* grade versus the standard grade 3 for the movement?
  • Are there extant Longines shipping records from 1926 that specify the original retailer for this specific serial number?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines Single Button Chronograph Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLongines“Longines”
Serial Number4223671“No. 4223671”
Date of DeliveryOctober 28, 1926“Delivered on October 28, 1926”
Movement CaliberCal. 1333“Cal. 1333”
Case MaterialSterling silver“Fine sterling silver gentleman's wristwatch”
Diameter35 mm“Diam. 35 mm”
Chronograph OperationSingle coaxial button“the coaxial single button on the winding-crown is for start-stop and return to zero functions of te chronograph”

Visible details

  • Single coaxial push-piece button integrated into the winding crown
  • Auxiliary guilloché seconds and 30-minute chronograph register dials
  • Radium-coated Arabic numerals and skeletonized hands
  • Straight lugs on the sterling silver case

Research qualifications

  • The auction description recommends a movement overhaul
  • Specific metallurgical composition of the case beyond 'sterling silver' is not detailed

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

Consulted source

Longines, No. 4223671. Delivered on October 28, 1926.Fine sterling silver gentleman's wristwatch with single button chronograph on the crown and register.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record abb6cbd7dc

Terms in this record

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

Other single-button chronograph wristwatch records