Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1938 Reference No: 4375 Movement No: 5'677'955 Case No: 20'118 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 17.26, jeweled Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Generic stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 44mm Diameter Signed: Dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Longines Extract from the Archives confirming the invoicing of the present timepiece on November 22nd, 1938.
Catalogue Essay
Sporting a 44mm case - literally gargantuan for the time - and black gloss luminous dial, the present piece features the basic characteristics of a tool or military timepiece, where legibility had to be maximized above all else.
Wonderfully preserved in its original condition, such combination of large steel case and luminous black dial renders the watch very much in line with today's fashion, making this timepiece not only a superb collector's watch, but also a highly wearable proposition for the aficionado of vintage timepieces with an eye on current trends.
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.