1960s Longines 'President Pierce' Dress Watch
Why This Watch Matters
A dramatic and bold dress watch fit for a President.
The Full Story
According to the 1961 Longines Christmas catalog, this is the Longines model "President Pierce," named for the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce. As it was manufactured around 100 years after his death, we can safely assume he never got to wear it, but it has all the hallmarks of a unique gentleman’s dress watch. During this period, Longines experimented with a variety of lug designs and dial layouts, many of them named after American presidents. The white, Florentine-style sunburst dial contrasts nicely with the black and gold Art Deco-inspired indexes. The crown is dainty and almost hidden, so as not to take away from the other design elements of the watch. The thin case, with its 23-ZS movement inside, wears larger on the wrist than you’d expect. The 23-ZS, created by Longines in 1948, is one of the only movements to come out of Switzerland during the immediate period following WWII. As Longines had an impressive American presence under Longines-Wittnauer, it make sense that it would develop a watch named after an American president, with a reliable and updated movement inside to tempt the beneficiaries of the booming post-war American economy. It’s a dramatic watch, but the angled lugs and black indexes with gold surrounds make it a distinct pleasure to wear.
The Fine Print
Maker: Longines
Model: "President Pierce"
Reference: N/A
Year: Early 1960s
Case No: 123122
Material: 14k yellow gold fill
Dimensions: 34mm diameter; 8mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: N/A
Caliber: Manual winding calibre 23-ZS
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Textured Dark Brown Calfskin Strap
*Seen here on a 5.625 inch wrist
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: N/A
What we Love and What You Should Know
This watch has been very well preserved. The 14k gold case exhibits signs of light use to the caseback. The lugs are the defining element of this watch, and they appear to have escaped any noticeable polishing. There are very light signs of aging to the dial right below 3 o’clock. The 14k yellow-gold buckle is signed "Longines," as is the crown, which is stamped with the Longines logo.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Why This Watch Matters
A dramatic and bold dress watch fit for a President.
The Full Story
According to the 1961 Longines Christmas catalog, this is the Longines model "President Pierce," named for the 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce. As it was manufactured around 100 years after his death, we can safely assume he never got to wear it, but it has all the hallmarks of a unique gentleman’s dress watch. During this period, Longines experimented with a variety of lug designs and dial layouts, many of them named after American presidents. The white, Florentine-style sunburst dial contrasts nicely with the black and gold Art Deco-inspired indexes. The crown is dainty and almost hidden, so as not to take away from the other design elements of the watch. The thin case, with its 23-ZS movement inside, wears larger on the wrist than you’d expect. The 23-ZS, created by Longines in 1948, is one of the only movements to come out of Switzerland during the immediate period following WWII. As Longines had an impressive American presence under Longines-Wittnauer, it make sense that it would develop a watch named after an American president, with a reliable and updated movement inside to tempt the beneficiaries of the booming post-war American economy. It’s a dramatic watch, but the angled lugs and black indexes with gold surrounds make it a distinct pleasure to wear.
The Fine Print
Maker: Longines
Model: "President Pierce"
Reference: N/A
Year: Early 1960s
Case No: 123122
Material: 14k yellow gold fill
Dimensions: 34mm diameter; 8mm thickness
Crystal: Plexiglass
Lume: N/A
Caliber: Manual winding calibre 23-ZS
Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Textured Dark Brown Calfskin Strap
*Seen here on a 5.625 inch wrist
Lug Width: 18mm
Box/Papers: N/A
What we Love and What You Should Know
This watch has been very well preserved. The 14k gold case exhibits signs of light use to the caseback. The lugs are the defining element of this watch, and they appear to have escaped any noticeable polishing. There are very light signs of aging to the dial right below 3 o’clock. The 14k yellow-gold buckle is signed "Longines," as is the crown, which is stamped with the Longines logo.
