Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1935 Movement No: 4'722'684 Case No: 4'722'684 Material: Chrome Calibre: Manual, cal. 17.26, 15 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 44mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Longines Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with chromium case and its subsequent sale on February 23, 1935 to the company Zipper, their agent for Poland. Literature: This exact watch is illustrated in Longines - Legendary Watches by John Goldberger pp. 234-235
Catalogue Essay
An extremely attractive early example of an aviator's writswatch, the present piece is highlighted by the superior condition of both its case and dial. An analysis of the watch shows a number of technical details specifically designed with the final destination of the piece in mind. First and foremost the very large 44mm case diameter - simply gargantuan for the time - was adopted to maximize the dial size and thus the readability of the piece. The same necessity is at the base of the dial design: the large luminous numerals on black background are perfectly legible in any condition, and the inner additional hour scale would aid with navigation calculation. The soldered lugs are instead dictated by the strong stress an aviator's watch - worn on top of the jacket's cuff - undergoes during usage: the soldered lugs minimize accidental unlatching or breakage.
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.