Longines 21568, Cal. 12.68z, Men’s Dress Vintage Watch, 1940s
Small seconds, blackened leaf hands and an evenly patinated cream-toned face define Longines Ref. 21568 from the 1940s. This men's 35 mm steel dress watch uses the 15-jewel hand-wound Cal. 12.68z, with a thin bezel, long lugs and domed acrylic crystal giving the case its generous period presence; an olive NATO strap adds a military-inspired styling detail.
Patinated dial and leaf-shaped hands
The white dial has a warm cream-toned appearance with even age-related patina. A small-seconds subdial sits at 6 o'clock, proportioned to the main face, with a printed minute track and applied hour markers keeping the arrangement clear. Blackened leaf-shaped hour and minute hands contrast with the dial, accompanied by a thin small-seconds hand. The restrained layout places the actual patina and hand shapes at the center of the watch's character.
A generous 35 mm steel case
The polished stainless steel case measures 35 mm, a generous size in the original 1940s context. A thin bezel and long lugs contribute to its wrist presence. A domed acrylic crystal completes the vintage profile. The small unsigned crown maintains the case outline and provides the hand-winding control. An unsigned crown is not automatically a replacement.
Cal. 12.68z and period functionality
The Longines Cal. 12.68z is a 15-jewel Swiss mechanical movement for manual-wind watches. Hours, minutes and small seconds are the confirmed indications. Regular winding is part of wearing this watch, while the uncluttered display reflects the functional design language of 1940s vintage watches.
Olive NATO and originality scope
The olive NATO strap has a military-inspired appearance and is described as secure and comfortable for daily wear. Its styling complements the functional dial and steel case. Original watch components are retained, with the NATO fitting kept distinct from any undocumented factory-original strap claim. The military-inspired fitting is a visual characteristic, not evidence of individual wartime ownership.
Service and a 12-month warranty
This used Longines is fully serviced and fully operational, with even dial patina retained rather than hidden. It comes with a 12-month warranty, and worldwide shipping is available. The production period is the 1940s, without a confirmed exact year.
Technical Details
| Brand | Longines |
|---|---|
| Model | 21568 |
| Reference | 21568 |
| Brand Origin | Switzerland |
| Gender | Men's |
| Caliber | 12.68z |
| Production Period | 1940s |
| Dial Color | White; warm cream-toned appearance with even patina |
| Case Diameter | 35 mm |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Crystal | Domed acrylic |
| Crown | Small unsigned crown |
| Movement Type | Manual Winding |
| Category | Dress Vintage Watch |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 |
| Jewels | 15 jewels; caliber specification |
| Strap | Olive NATO; military-inspired styling; secure comfortable wear described |
| Condition | Used; evenly patinated dial; fully serviced and operational |
| Fully Serviced | Yes |
| Fully Operational | Yes |
| Original Watch Components | Yes; watch components; NATO provenance not separately confirmed |
| Warranty | 12-month warranty |
| Dial | Cream-toned appearance; applied hour markers; printed minute track; small seconds at 6 |
| Hands | Blackened leaf-shaped hour/minute hands; thin small-seconds hand |
| Case Finish | Polished stainless steel; thin bezel; long lugs |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What movement does this watch use?
This watch uses a manually wound mechanical movement, wound by turning the crown.The recorded caliber is 12.68z.For movement-specific operating instructions, please contact Vintage Watch Studio.
What servicing or checks are carried out before sale?
Our manually wound mechanical watches are serviced before sale, including movement inspection, cleaning, lubrication and regulation as appropriate.Please see the listing for any additional work or measured performance specific to this watch.
Do the photographs show this actual vintage watch?
Yes. The photographs show the individual watch in this listing rather than a generic stock image. Please review the images and description for visible wear, condition and disclosed replacement parts. Age alone does not establish originality.
Can I wear this vintage watch in water?
Do not assume a vintage watch is water-resistant, even if it originally carried a water-resistance marking. Unless this individual watch has an explicitly confirmed, current water-resistance test in its listing, keep it away from swimming, showering and other water exposure.
Does this watch include a warranty?
Yes. Every watch sold by Vintage Watch Studio includes a 12-month warranty, whether mechanical or quartz. Coverage and exclusions are governed by our warranty terms.
Can I still buy this exact watch?
This individual vintage watch is no longer available. Since watches are individually sourced, an identical example cannot be guaranteed.
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