Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1939 Reference No: 4376 Movement No: 5'763'589 Case No: 20'390 further stamped 123 Material: Chrome metal, stainless steel caseback Calibre: Manual, cal. 12.68Z, 16 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Dial and movement signed, case numbered Accessories: Accompanied by Longines Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1939 and sale on June 17, 1939 to Zipper, Longines’ agent in Warsaw at the time. Literature: The present watch is featured in Longines: Legendary Watches by John Goldberger pp. 92-93.
Catalogue Essay
Even though Longines chronographs housing the amazing calibers 13CH and 13ZN are the darlings of collectors, their more restrained time-only vintage watches remain some of the most desirable dress watches from that time period.
The present reference 4376 impresses not only thanks to its extremely well preserved large 37.5mm case but mostly thanks to its amazing black glossy dial with large silver Arabic numerals.
Inside the case is the Longines caliber 12.68Z, an in-house, manually wound mechanical movement whose production had started as early as 1928. The movement and case numbers match perfectly. The present watch was manufactured in 1939 and sold on June 17, 1939 to Zipper, Longines’ agent in Warsaw at the time.
The beauty and condition of this Longines was so appealing that it was chosen by collector and scholar John Goldberger to be featured in his definitive book on the brand: Longines: Legendary Watches pp. 92-93.
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.