840
Longines
A very fine and very rare oversized stainless steel and silver aviator hour angle wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and enamel dial
- Estimate
- HK$270,000 - 400,000€32,500 - 48,200$34,000 - 50,000
HK$350,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Longines
- Year
- Circa 1937
- Movement No
- 5'575'301
- Case No
- 20'034 3
- Material
- Stainless steel and silver
- Calibre
- Mechanical, 18.69N, 15 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Brown calf leather strap
- Dimensions
- 47.52 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Dial and movement signed, case and cuvette numbered</em>
- Accessories
- With <em>Longines </em>Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was part of the Lindbergh collection and invoiced on 8 March 1941 to US Consulate in Berne, Switzerland. Furthermore delivered with newspaper and postcard from 1927.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Originally conceived by the American aviator Charles Lindbergh, the Hour Angle was designed for aircraft pilots to precisely locate and understand their position during flight. Following his return to St. Louis after his successful flight across the Atlantic, Lindbergh started drawing a wristwatch meeting the requirements of pilots during long distance flights.
In 1930, Lindbergh sent his drawings to John Heinmüller, who was the president of the International Aviation Federation and the director of Longines-Wittnauer in the United States. After only 5 months, a first prototype was ready and the final watch launched soon after.The result: a timepiece that could find longitude based on Greenwich mean time.
Fitted with an enamel dial, the present watch is offered in absolutely astounding condition. The enamel is free of cracks or hairlines, and the case is incredibly sharp and tight. Both the case and cuvette are numbered, which is correct.
Accompanying the present watch is a newspaper article from 1927, celebrating Lingbergh's successful flight, providing a very historically interesting context for the timepiece.
In 1930, Lindbergh sent his drawings to John Heinmüller, who was the president of the International Aviation Federation and the director of Longines-Wittnauer in the United States. After only 5 months, a first prototype was ready and the final watch launched soon after.The result: a timepiece that could find longitude based on Greenwich mean time.
Fitted with an enamel dial, the present watch is offered in absolutely astounding condition. The enamel is free of cracks or hairlines, and the case is incredibly sharp and tight. Both the case and cuvette are numbered, which is correct.
Accompanying the present watch is a newspaper article from 1927, celebrating Lingbergh's successful flight, providing a very historically interesting context for the timepiece.
Longines
Swiss | 1832Auguste Agassiz founded Longines in 1832, and today is considered to be a pioneer in the evolution of the chronograph. During the 1930s, Longines' chronograph wristwatches were used as tools for wartime aviators and military personnel. As one of Switzerland's largest manufacturers, Longines was an important supplier of wristwatches to militaries of multiple nations.
Today, they are owned by the Swatch Group and produce wristwatches for both men and women. Their vintage wristwatches continue to grow in desirability amongst collectors. Some of the most sought-after models include such oversized chronographs as the Lindbergh Hour Angle designed by Charles Lindbergh, Chronostop, Tre Tacche, A-7, Tasti a Spillo and Doppia Lanchetta.
Browse MakerToday, they are owned by the Swatch Group and produce wristwatches for both men and women. Their vintage wristwatches continue to grow in desirability amongst collectors. Some of the most sought-after models include such oversized chronographs as the Lindbergh Hour Angle designed by Charles Lindbergh, Chronostop, Tre Tacche, A-7, Tasti a Spillo and Doppia Lanchetta.