The beauty, state of preservation and rarity of the present oversized 49mm diameter Longines Type A7 tilted single pusher chronograph cannot be underlined enough. Part of the Toshio Masui collection, the present military issued tool watch was designed for the US Army Air Corps (1926-1941). Engraved on the caseback with specification number 27748, these timing instruments were produced by Longines and Meylan. Chrome-plated metal cases were produced for military use as found on the present example, while for civilian use the cases were made in stainless steel. Operated by an oversized onion crown, the design allowed pilots to easily start stop and reset their watches even with gloves on.

Only a lucky few watch collectors can boast similar military-issued timepieces in lovely original condition such as the present one – a watch certain to delight any connoisseur of rare timepieces. Revealed under its engraved hinged caseback is its calibre 18.72 developed in 1929. An unmolested specimen, this is the third publicly known A-7 at auction sure to delight any connoisseur of large and unusual timepieces. Further confirmed by Longines' handwritten registers, the serial number 5'298'512 identifies a wrist-chronograph in chromium-plated metal bearing the reference 3592. It was fitted with a Longines caliber 18.72 and was invoiced on 14 September 1935 to the company A. Wittnauer Co.