Longines “Tropical” Sei Tacche Calatrava

Description

This is a cool and tropical example of a Longines “Sei Tacche”, or 6 notches, waterproof/screwdown time-only “Calatrava” style wristwatch. This particular example features radium lume in the hands and markers, and likely originally featured a two-tone dial before exposure to the sun turned the dial to a tropical orange color.

According to Longines’ records, “The original serial number 7’020’157 identifies a wristwatch in stainless steel bearing the reference 5528. It is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 12.68Z and was invoiced on 15 April 1946 to the company Weinstabl, which was at that time our agent for Czechoslovakia.”

The Longines Sei Tacche Calatrava offered here is in good vintage condition. The case does not show signs of overpolishing. The dial has aged to a golden orange color, with a very unique tropical-patina. The original radium lume is present on the dial, and shows only minor loss in the minute hand.