Longines pushed the boundaries with reference 5699 in terms of both its aesthetic design and technical ingenuity. The watch was nicknamed in Italian “Doppia Lancetta,” which in English means “double hand,” but it is not to be confused with a split-seconds chronograph.

The present watch is fitted with the legendary in-house caliber 13ZN. In addition to the hour and minute hands, reference 5699 features two additional, centrally mounted hands on the dial, both controlling different functions of the watch. The dial layout suppresses the minute register and instead replaces it with a centrally mounted red hand, which counts the minutes that have elapsed. A noteworthy element to mention is the ‘LXW’ stamp found on the movement, which is a Longines-Wittnauer import code indicating the watch was intended for the American market.

Reference 5699 further stands out with its considerable case size, measuring a dramatic 39.5mm in diameter. This case shares the same characteristic found on many early Longines chronograph wristwatches, where the underside of the lug is stamped to match the caseback number. Offered in excellent, original condition, this Longines designed in the 1940s is sure to impress scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts.