Manufacturer: Longines Year: Circa 1920’s Movement No: 4’869’979 Case No: 4’869’979 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13.33Z, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Stainless steel Longines buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed Accessories: Delivered with a Longines Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was invoiced on 30th November 1930 to the company Wirth, which was at that time Longines agent for Switzerland.
Catalogue Essay
The present lot is a highly attractive and early yellow gold single-button chronograph from the 1920’s and should speak to any watch aficionado for its visual quality and importance. The watch houses the Longines caliber 13.33Z which was developed in 1913 as one of the first chronograph movements ever made for the wristwatch; and is part of a long line of high-quality desirable chronograph movements manufactured by the firm.
The example shown here is fitted with a beautiful enamel dial with red ‘12’ hour marker, a carry-over from enamel dial pocket watches of the era. The inscriptions on the dial are crisp and the fine yellow gold case will surely hit the heart of a seasoned collector looking at owning an early chronograph timepiece from Longines.
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.