WWI German Imperial Navy U-Boat Officer’s Longines Wristwatch – Iron Cross Dial

Offered here is a highly rare and historically significant Longines wristwatch dating from World War I (circa 1916), featuring a German Imperial Navy (Kriegsmarine) U-Boat officer’s motif. The enamel dial is beautifully hand-decorated with an Iron Cross insignia at 12 o’clock and a detailed submarine engraving above 6 o’clock — a design attributed to naval officers and U-boat commanders serving in the Kaiserliche Marine during the Great War.

The watch houses a Longines 18.69N caliber movement, serial number 2102839, which dates to approximately 1916 per Longines factory records. This precise, robust movement was among the earliest adapted from pocket watches into wrist form, used by officers who required accurate, durable timepieces during naval operations.

Details:

• Maker: Longines, Saint-Imier, Switzerland
• Movement: Longines Cal. 18.69N (signed and numbered 2102839)
• Jewels: 15 jewels, manually wound
• Case Material: Nickel silver (officer conversion case with fixed lugs)
• Diameter: 43.9 mm (without crown)
• Dial: Original enamel dial featuring Iron Cross and U-boat motif
• Hands: Original blued steel cathedral hands
• Crystal: Domed mineral glass
• Crown: Onion-style, period correct
• Strap: Vintage black leather
• Condition: Excellent working order; light wear consistent with age. Enamel dial is very well preserved with minor hairlines.

Historical Context:

During World War I, wristwatches were newly introduced as military tools rather than fashion accessories. Naval officers, especially U-boat commanders, required reliable timekeeping for navigation and torpedo synchronization.

The Iron Cross was a symbol of valor and honor in the Imperial German military, while the submarine engraving on the dial symbolizes service within the elite Unterseeboot (U-boat) fleet, which played a crucial role in Germany’s maritime warfare strategy between 1914 and 1918.

Watches such as this were privately purchased by officers or presented to them as gifts for distinguished service. Longines was one of the premier Swiss suppliers to both Allied and Central Powers officers, admired for its precision and durability under extreme wartime conditions.

Movement Serial Verification:

The movement number 2102839 corresponds to production around 1916, confirming this as an authentic WWI-period Longines military timepiece.

Summary:

A museum-worthy example of early military horology — this Longines U-boat officer’s watch stands as both a collectible artifact and a functional mechanical masterpiece. Such pieces rarely survive in this condition, particularly with hand-painted naval symbolism and the Iron Cross insignia intact.

Shipping: Worldwide, fully insured and securely packaged.

Authenticity guaranteed. It comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $3000