Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1948 Reference No: 5638 Movement No: 7'251'286 Case No: 23'451 further stamped 32 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. L2.68N, 16 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 32.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Longines fitted box, hangtag and Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was invoiced on 18 December 1948 to the company Hausammann, which was Longines’ agent for Sweden and Norway at that time.
Catalogue Essay
Whereas vintage Longines chronographs are incredibly in demand the delicately restrained time only watches created by the brand from St Imier have nothing to shy from in terms of desirability.
The present timepiece impresses with its incredible untouched condition and has been most probably spent the greater part of its life safely stowed away. The 32.5mm diameter case looks much larger than the numbers suggest and has great wrist presence thanks to the short thick downturned lugs and seeming lack of bezel. The silver, gently curved, dial with bold black numerals and outer track is serene and seductive.
A true find the present timepiece is a great addition for a collector looking for an untouched vintage timepiece from one of the great Swiss manufacturers.
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.