Longines WWW "Greenlander"
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–Ah, the Dirty Dozen. Diehard collectors of these watches know the story, but it bears repeating. These watches - stamped W.W.W. for "Watch Wristlet Waterproof"- had to meet strict standards mandated by the British Ministry of Defense during the last half of 1945. The specs were these: black dial; Arabic numerals; luminous hands (radium); 15 jewel movement; and waterproof.
Twelve companies met these standards, and manufactured the watches that would be dubbed the "Dirty Dozen" and fascinate collectors for decades. They were: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, JLC, Lemania, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor, Vertex, and Longines. Of these, only Longines produced a watch with shock-protection.
Collectors have given the Longines Reference 23088 the nickname "Greenlander" due to its purported involvement in the 1952-54 British North Greenland Expedition. This was recently proven to be false. But even though the "Greenlander" never made it to Greenland, many Longines did in fact make it on other expeditions in extreme cold weather conditions. So when you consider that these watches were meant to go to war, this fact doesn't take away anything from the watch's lineage. Whether worn in combat or on an expedition in the farthest reaches of the Arctic, the "Greenlander" was meant to withstand it all.
At 38mm and all stainless, it's a good size to suit modern tastes. This particular example is in excellent condition, with only slight signs of wear to speak to the conflicts its seen. The case back is stamped with the model number "23088" and "144," the case number. Already rare, this watch's lovely condition makes it very desirable.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.
Condition
Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.
Warranty
We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.
International Buyers
Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.
Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.
We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.
Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.
We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Longines WWW "Greenlander"
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