WW2 Military Issue Longines, c.1942

A very good looking WW2 military Longines made in the USA. Offered in full working order, these watches were part of an aid or gift package given to Soviet forces, c.1942.

Other than anecdotal testimony, little information exists regarding these military Longines watches but a search of the internet soon reveals that a substantial proportion of them still exist in the former USSR and close Eastern Bloc community. On its own, this fact strongly supports long-held suspicions that these US-made Longines were ordered for the Red Army, airforce and navy but there is more than that to their intriguing story. Note that the watches were "ordered for" the Soviets by a third party: During WW2, once Germany attacked the Eastern Front, the USSR sided with the Allies, resulting in lend-lease aid being offered by the American Government. Initially, a cautious friendship developed between these powerful nations, which led to an intermediary, sponsored by business but operating as a non-profit charitable organisation, known as the "Russian War-Relief" to be established in New York. It is confirmed from documents that the War-Relief provided watches from the major American houses, some of which were engraved in Cyrillic, "To the Heroic People of the USSR – Russian War Relief USA”. Interestingly, these watches mimic military patterns that were current issue to US Forces but, many of the surviving examples known, those that were "gifted" fall short of achieving the exacting US military-spec - meaning that War-Relief watches were often downgraded by virtue of being manufactured with either lower jewel count or non-hacking movements, or lesser quality cases being utilised, such as the economy alloy used in the production of this Longines. It has been observed that earlier watches were of a better grade, more comparable with those issued elsewhere.

In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbour, the US Government drew plans to push the Russians into joining the Pacific War. This American "military need" to compel the USSR into a Second Front offensive might have been the catalyst that increased supply of aid and watch gifts and, would be likely that at this stage the US Government would have stepped up and bolstered the work started by the War-Relief, likely sanctioning a greater number of gifts, clothing, watches, food, etc., for their new comrades. And so, Longines-Wittnauer became the dominant Soviet supplier of watches within this theatre, no doubt due to Elgin, Hamilton, Bulova and Waltham being busy now, fulfilling US military contracts of their own. So, there is a real debate about whether it was the Russian War-Relief or the US Government who were the benefactors but the scale, in my opinion, suggests government led interventions. Yet, Lend-Lease Act documents of the time give no insight, which leaves these ambiguous military timepieces as being vaguely considered as part of wartime aid, gifts, or perhaps sweeteners to foster better relations. It certainly is true that other existing Russian watches were comprised from cobbled-up left overs from the revolution with just a sprinkling of new Kirova factory watches.

Aid, gifts or sweeteners, call them what you will, international pressure did compel the Soviets to move to a Second front after Germany's defeat, when in 1945 they attacked the Japanese Army in Manchuria, 8-days before they surrendered.

Certainly, from previous online classified ads, the original recipients' families have acknowledged that gifted Longines watches were gratefully received and prized trophies, however, it seems that in the aftermath and the Cold War that followed, benefactors and beneficiaries withheld from openly acknowledging the support received from each other.

Made by Longines, this high-quality watch bears the "LXW" markings on the movement, which identify it as having come from their US factory at Wittnauer. They are very similar to the ones supplied to the RAF from Switzerland but are subtly different in a number of respects, using a Longines calibre 12L movement. As is typical of military watches of the time and wanting to hold back on the use of materials, the case used in the production of these watches is of the economy pattern. These were fitted with spring bars, which is correct for the US specifications of the time.

This watch is in full working order, running well and keeping excellent time, having recently undergone a service. The case back is a secure fit and the watch benefits from having a genuine new old stock period leather strap.

A wonderful example of an underrated military Longines, with a story to tell recognising Russia's contribution in the fight against the Nazis and in the Pacific theatre. This watch represents tremendous value for the collector for what was hard-earned by the recipient.

Code: 51201