A solid fourteen carat gold Longines pocket watch with roulette wheel. This is a fabulous, quite rare pocket watch. The watch and dial alone are both beautifully made and great looking. Add in the exterior bezel design of the roulette wheel circling the case, and you have something all the more unique and special. This is an exceptional quality, mid-century example and a rare piece. A pocket watch that has featured in reference books on Longines.

The beautifully constructed solid gold case has an inner ring of small ball bearings that allow the exterior ring to spin freely with reduced friction, eventually coming to a stop and allowing the black enamel arrow to point to either a number or the split arrow. There were two versions of this model: this example, with an extension to the top of the exterior circle that allows the watch to be worn on a pocket watch chain or as a pendant.

The other version is purely for the pocket or desk, with no bail at the top. The bail on this example is, in itself, masterfully engineered. It is screwed into the inner bezel ring and is then finely cut out to allow the roulette wheel to pass freely through it.

On the back of the watch is another means to gamble. This time, you have the classic red and black roulette options, along with numbers 1 through 9, repeated and filled with mixed enamel colours. There is then a small black arrow, which again will stop and land on one of the numbers. There are two versions of these backs: this one and another where the entire back has a much larger arrowhead, akin to a ‘greater than’ sign. This leaves the case back free for possible personalisation.

These novelty timepieces were very popular from the early 20th century all the way through to the 1970s. The pocket watch itself was still being used, and this proved to be the perfect accessory for the gambler! Examples have been found made by Cartier, LeCoultre, and even a rare example sold by Abercrombie & Fitch. As gambling and the growth and appeal of Las Vegas gripped large parts of the country, pieces like this made for the perfect talking point and a way to have a quick fix on the road!

The pocket watch is powered by a manually wound Longines calibre 10L. The calibre 10L is a manually wound, 17-jewel mechanical movement produced in Switzerland during an important period of the company’s history, when Longines was internationally respected for the quality and precision of its in-house calibres.

Its traditional construction features finely machined winding wheels, elegantly shaped bridges and a carefully arranged balance assembly, all characteristic of the company’s approach to mechanical watchmaking.

Throughout much of the twentieth century, Longines maintained considerable independence in the design and manufacture of its movements. The company developed an impressive range of calibres, from relatively simple manually wound mechanisms to highly sophisticated chronographs and precision timekeepers. This commitment to movement manufacture helped establish Longines as one of the great names in Swiss horology.

The calibre 10L reflects this tradition of mechanical craftsmanship. Its compact architecture, 17-jewel construction and carefully executed components demonstrate the attention given to reliability, efficiency and longevity.

Movements such as this offer an appreciation of an era when the mechanical heart of a watch was as important as its outward appearance, and when Longines was producing movements entirely within its own manufacturing tradition. Based on the movement serial number, the movement was Swiss-made circa 1949.

The condition of the piece throughout is superb. There is very little wear to the case, especially given that this is a piece that was designed to be played with! The case back is fully marked Longines New York and 14k. The dial is a thing of beauty. Stylish gold applied 12, 3 and 9 o’clock hour markers are matched with small applied block markers. All of this is surrounded by a handsome minute track. The dial is stamped “Swiss” at the dial base.

There is a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o’clock position with its concentric circle design. The fine gold leaf hands are original and in excellent condition.

If you are looking for the ultimate gift for any watch-loving gambler, or anyone who loves a luxury fidget spinner, then this is the piece for them. It is fully working, both the watch and the spinning mechanism, ready to be both a useful accessory and a talking point at any dinner party.

There is no original box or paperwork present with the piece, and the service history is unknown, but it is working and keeping great time.