This is a particularly interesting Longines pocket watch, combining a high-grade Swiss movement, an American-made gold-filled case, and—most importantly—a remarkable Canadian industrial presentation. Dating to approximately 1941, the watch is powered by Longines Calibre 17L and was presented several years later to Arthur Gould in recognition of an extraordinary 34-year career with Canadian Car & Foundry Company Limited.
At 43.5mm in diameter, the watch has the classic substantial presence expected of a period pocket watch while remaining remarkably elegant in profile. The case is marked Keystone J. Boss 10K Gold Filled, representing the premium American casework used for Longines movements distributed through the Longines-Wittnauer network in the United States. Rather than simply being an anonymous vintage pocket watch, the American case and Swiss movement reflect the international nature of the watch trade during this period.
Inside is Longines Calibre 17L, a 17-jewel manual-wind movement dating to approximately 1941–1942 based on its 6,382,334 serial number. The 17L is one of Longines' respected hand-wound movements of the era, known for its quality Swiss construction and attractive finishing, including carefully executed bridges and beveling.
The caseback, however, is what truly sets this watch apart. It is engraved:
“Presented by Canadian Car & Foundry Company Limited to Arthur Gould in appreciation of Long and Faithful Service, 1909–1943.”
That inscription gives the watch a remarkable connection to Canadian industrial history. Canadian Car & Foundry was a major Montreal-based manufacturer whose roots stretched back to the production of railway cars and other heavy industrial equipment. During the Second World War, the company became an important part of Canada's wartime manufacturing effort, producing aircraft including Hawker Hurricanes and Curtiss Helldivers.
Arthur Gould's dates of service are particularly compelling. Beginning in 1909, his career began during Canada's railway and industrial expansion, continued through the First World War era and the interwar years, and ultimately reached the height of Canadian wartime manufacturing. By the time this presentation was made in 1943, he had given the company 34 years of service.
Presentation watches are always interesting, but examples with a named recipient, an exact period of service, and a connection to a significant Canadian industrial institution are considerably more compelling from a historical perspective. This Longines therefore represents not only a quality Swiss mechanical pocket watch, but a tangible piece of Canadian industrial and wartime history.
This is a particularly interesting Longines pocket watch, combining a high-grade Swiss movement, an American-made gold-filled case, and—most importantly—a remarkable Canadian industrial presentation. Dating to approximately 1941, the watch is powered by Longines Calibre 17L and was presented several years later to Arthur Gould in recognition of an extraordinary 34-year career with Canadian Car & Foundry Company Limited.
At 43.5mm in diameter, the watch has the classic substantial presence expected of a period pocket watch while remaining remarkably elegant in profile. The case is marked Keystone J. Boss 10K Gold Filled, representing the premium American casework used for Longines movements distributed through the Longines-Wittnauer network in the United States. Rather than simply being an anonymous vintage pocket watch, the American case and Swiss movement reflect the international nature of the watch trade during this period.
Inside is Longines Calibre 17L, a 17-jewel manual-wind movement dating to approximately 1941–1942 based on its 6,382,334 serial number. The 17L is one of Longines' respected hand-wound movements of the era, known for its quality Swiss construction and attractive finishing, including carefully executed bridges and beveling.
The caseback, however, is what truly sets this watch apart. It is engraved:
“Presented by Canadian Car & Foundry Company Limited to Arthur Gould in appreciation of Long and Faithful Service, 1909–1943.”
That inscription gives the watch a remarkable connection to Canadian industrial history. Canadian Car & Foundry was a major Montreal-based manufacturer whose roots stretched back to the production of railway cars and other heavy industrial equipment. During the Second World War, the company became an important part of Canada's wartime manufacturing effort, producing aircraft including Hawker Hurricanes and Curtiss Helldivers.
Arthur Gould's dates of service are particularly compelling. Beginning in 1909, his career began during Canada's railway and industrial expansion, continued through the First World War era and the interwar years, and ultimately reached the height of Canadian wartime manufacturing. By the time this presentation was made in 1943, he had given the company 34 years of service.
Presentation watches are always interesting, but examples with a named recipient, an exact period of service, and a connection to a significant Canadian industrial institution are considerably more compelling from a historical perspective. This Longines therefore represents not only a quality Swiss mechanical pocket watch, but a tangible piece of Canadian industrial and wartime history.