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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

US Military Longines Deck Watch with Wind Indicator

Partially verified

This is an open-face silver deck watch produced by Longines for reported use by the United States military, dated by the seller to circa 1913. The dealer states it houses a 17-jewel, 5-adjustment nickel three-quarter plate movement featuring a lever escapement and cam microregulator, bearing serial number 2978136. The silvered dial features Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, and an up/down winding indicator beneath 12 o'clock. Measuring 67 mm in diameter, the silver case has reported military contract markings on the back and rests in a two-piece wooden deck box with a green velvet-lined mount.

Longines deck watch resting in its fitted wooden deck box with opened viewing lid
Longines deck watch resting in its fitted wooden deck box with opened viewing lid — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
itm203027
Source-reported date
c. 1913
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2978136

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

Object Identity and Documentation

This timepiece is identified as a silver pocket watch by the dealer, with reported use as a US military deck watch. The watch bears serial number 2978136, appearing on both the silver case and the movement. The date of circa 1913 is an attribution provided by the seller.

The timepiece is housed in a 67mm wide silver open-face case featuring stepped sides, a hinged inner cover, and a front bezel. The case carries silver touche marks and is described by the seller as bearing military contract markings on the rear.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is a large silver pocket watch made by Longines for use by the US military as a deck watch”
  • “The case has silver touche marks and is numbered 2978136”
  • “The back of the case has excellent military contract marks.”
  • “US Military deck watch by Longines with wind indicator c1913”

Mechanical Configuration

The movement is a nickel three-quarter plate construction, signed by the Longines Watch Co. Technical features noted include a lever escapement and a cam microregulator. The caliber is specified as a 17-jewel movement with five-position adjustment.

The timepiece utilizes a stem-winding and stem-setting mechanism. The seller reports that the main plate shows a significant portion of finish loss.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is signed “Longines Watch Co. Swiss. 17 Jewels, 5 Adj” # 2978136.”
  • “the large nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement and a cam microregulator.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “large portion of finish loss on the main plate”

Dial and Presentation

The silvered dial includes an up/down winding indicator positioned beneath the 12 o'clock numeral and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial features Arabic numerals and is fitted with blued steel hands and a bevelled mineral glass.

The watch is stored within a two-piece wooden deck box containing a removable, velvet-lined interior mount. The box lid is designed with a circular aperture allowing the dial to be viewed.

Evidence for this section
  • “the silvered dial has excellent blue steel hands and a winding indicator under the 12.”
  • “The watch comes in a wooden two piece box with an inner removable piece for the watch. This is lined in velvet.”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Open research questions

  • Are the reported 'military contract markings' on the case documented in US military procurement archives for Longines watches of this period?
  • Do internal Longines records confirm the production date of serial number 2978136?
  • What specific 'silver touche marks' are present on the case, and do they correlate to the reported Swiss origin?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for US Military Longines Deck Watch with Wind Indicator
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement signatureLongines Watch Co. Swiss. 17 Jewels, 5 Adj # 2978136“The movement is signed “Longines Watch Co. Swiss. 17 Jewels, 5 Adj” # 2978136.”
Case diameter67 mm“The watch measures 67mm wide x 19mm deep”
Dial descriptionSilvered dial with blue steel hands and winding indicator“the silvered dial has excellent blue steel hands and a winding indicator under the 12.”
Box descriptionTwo-piece wooden box with velvet-lined inner mount“The watch comes in a wooden two piece box with an inner removable piece for the watch. This is lined in velvet.”
Case Dimensions67mm wide x 19mm deep“The watch measures 67mm wide x 19mm deep”
Box Dimensions150mm x 125mm x 15mm“The box measures 150mm x 125mm x 15mm”

Visible details

  • Open-face silver case with pendant bow, seated in a green velvet-lined wooden mount inside a hinged wooden deck box
  • Silvered dial with black Arabic numerals, blued steel hands, subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock, and an up/down power reserve indicator below 12 o'clock
  • Dial signed 'LONGINES' below 12 and 'SWISS' at 6 o'clock
  • Hinged wooden deck box lid features a circular viewing aperture

Research qualifications

  • Movement details and military contract case markings are source-reported and not visible in the provided photo
  • Dating to circa 1913 is an unverified dealer attribution

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

Consulted source

US Military deck watch by Longines with wind indicator c1913 in Antique Marine Chronometers

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 3a6a8ccaba

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

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