Longines - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Longines
    Year: 1936
    Movement No: 5'320'524
    Case No: 5'320'524
    Model Name: Lindbergh Hour Angle
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 18.69N, 15 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle
    Dimensions: 47mm. Diameter
    Signed: Dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a fitted presentation box, service booklet and Longines Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on October 1, 1936 to Perret, Longines' official agent in Brazil.
    Literature: For a similar example please see Longines Watches by John Goldberger pages 84 to 85

  • Catalogue Essay

    Sought after by collectors around the world, the present Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle is perhaps the best-preserved example to appear on the market in recent years. Not only in mint condition, the watch is absolutely complete, and is accompanied by its hardly ever seen original oversized box, original leather strap, and even its original buckle.

    Devised by the American aviator Charles Lindbergh (better known as the first man to attempt…and succeed a solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927) the Hour Angle was designed for aircraft pilots who needed to precisely know their position during flight at a time where onboard instruments were reduced to bare essentials.

    Lindbergh started working on a timepiece which could find longitude based on Greenwich Mean Time in 1930 and sent his drawings to John Heinmüller who was not only the president of the International Aviation Federation but also the director of Longines-Wittnauer in the US. After only 5 months, a first prototype was ready and the final watch launched soon after.

    The present lot is a “time capsule” piece, and ranks amongst the finest surviving examples of a 1930s Hour Angle known to the market.

  • Artist Biography

    Longines

    Swiss • 1832

    Auguste 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.

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A fine, very rare and historically interesting oversized steel aviator’s hour angle wristwatch with enamel dial, center seconds and original box

1936
47mm. Diameter
Dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,500-45,900
$30,900-51,500

Sold for CHF50,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016