223
Longines
Lindbergh Hour Angle
A fine, very rare and historically interesting oversized steel aviator’s hour angle wristwatch with enamel dial, center seconds and original box
- Estimate
- CHF30,000 - 50,000€27,500 - 45,900$30,900 - 51,500
CHF50,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Longines
- Year
- 1936
- Movement No
- 5'320'524
- Case No
- 5'320'524
- Model Name
- Lindbergh Hour Angle
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 18.69N, 15 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel buckle
- Dimensions
- 47mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Dial and movement signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by a fitted presentation box, service booklet and Longines Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on October 1, 1936 to Perret, Longines' official agent in Brazil.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Sought after by collectors around the world, the present Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle is perhaps the best-preserved example to appear on the market in recent years. Not only in mint condition, the watch is absolutely complete, and is accompanied by its hardly ever seen original oversized box, original leather strap, and even its original buckle.
Devised by the American aviator Charles Lindbergh (better known as the first man to attempt…and succeed a solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927) the Hour Angle was designed for aircraft pilots who needed to precisely know their position during flight at a time where onboard instruments were reduced to bare essentials.
Lindbergh started working on a timepiece which could find longitude based on Greenwich Mean Time in 1930 and sent his drawings to John Heinmüller who was not only the president of the International Aviation Federation but also the director of Longines-Wittnauer in the US. After only 5 months, a first prototype was ready and the final watch launched soon after.
The present lot is a “time capsule” piece, and ranks amongst the finest surviving examples of a 1930s Hour Angle known to the market.
Devised by the American aviator Charles Lindbergh (better known as the first man to attempt…and succeed a solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927) the Hour Angle was designed for aircraft pilots who needed to precisely know their position during flight at a time where onboard instruments were reduced to bare essentials.
Lindbergh started working on a timepiece which could find longitude based on Greenwich Mean Time in 1930 and sent his drawings to John Heinmüller who was not only the president of the International Aviation Federation but also the director of Longines-Wittnauer in the US. After only 5 months, a first prototype was ready and the final watch launched soon after.
The present lot is a “time capsule” piece, and ranks amongst the finest surviving examples of a 1930s Hour Angle known to the market.
Literature
Longines
Swiss | 1832Auguste 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.
Browse MakerToday, 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.