When we spotted this unassuming vintage Longines at a vintage watch fair, our instinct said: there’s something special here.What looked at first glance like a classic 1920s trench-style wristwatch turned out to be a rare, museum-worthy relic from one of the most fascinating cross-cultural watch collaborations in history — between Longines and West End Watch Co.
Once we opened the case back and saw "West End Watch Co." engraved on the gold-gilt Caliber 13.34 movement, our team dove into research mode. The more we uncovered, the more remarkable this piece became. Here’s the story behind this rare gem now available at dumarko.com — and why it deserves a spotlight.
A Swiss Watch with a Colonial Connection
This Longines x West End Watch Co. wristwatch was made in 1926, at the height of a unique partnership between the two Swiss brands. West End Watch Co., based in St-Imier like Longines, had established itself as a major player in India, the Middle East, and Central Asia — markets then underserved by European manufacturers.
Starting in the early 1910s, Longines supplied watches to West End Watch Co. under an exclusive arrangement that allowed West End to co-brand the watches with their name. This was the only such agreement Longines ever made, and it significantly elevated West End’s status in British India. Watches like this one were marketed to colonial officers, railway engineers, and adventurers across the Empire.
By 1955, Longines ended the co-branding arrangement — making surviving examples like this one exceptionally rare.
A Technical Marvel: Caliber 13.34
Inside this watch ticks Longines’ Caliber 13.34, an early manual-wind wristwatch movement developed around 1910. Measuring 13 lignes (~29mm), this movement was known for its durability, precision, and elegance — often used in WWI-era trench watches.
What sets this one apart:
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Gold-gilt plates and heat-blued screws — hallmarks of high-end finishing.
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Screwed chaton jewel settings — a luxurious detail seen in only top-grade versions.
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Signed by West End Watch Co. — highlighting its special distribution origin.
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Matching serial numbers on movement and case back (4621670) — confirming all-original, untouched condition.
Few 13.34 examples survive today with these characteristics intact.
Case and Dial: Honest, Unrestored, Beautiful
The 33mm Staybrite steel case is another rarity. In 1926, stainless steel was an exotic material — most cases were silver or plated brass. Staybrite, an early form of corrosion-resistant steel, was typically used only in premium, water-resistant models. Finding a 13.34 housed in Staybrite is highly unusual.
The enamel dial features radium-filled Arabic numerals and original cathedral hands, both of which have aged into a rich golden-brown patina. The dial is signed "Longines," while the movement carries the West End signature — a perfect example of their collaboration.
Vintage Longines x West End Watch Co. Cal. 13.34, Enamel Radium Dial from 1926
This watch comes from the period when Longines was supplying watches to West End Watch Co., a brand that played a huge role in making Swiss watches popular in India, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
$3,900.00
See MoreWhy It Matters
This watch is far more than a beautiful vintage piece:
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It represents a rare collaboration between two pioneering Swiss brands.
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It served a role in the global spread of Swiss watchmaking to India and beyond.
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It features rare materials and configurations almost never seen together: Staybrite steel, enamel radium dial, screwed chaton jewels, and West End branding on a Longines movement.
Available Now at Dumarko.com
As curators of meaningful vintage timepieces, we’re proud to offer this 1926 Longines x West End Watch Co. wristwatch to a collector who appreciates both craftsmanship and history. Watches like this don’t come around often, and when they do, they rarely remain this complete.
