Vintage 1939 Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle 10.68Z WWII Military Pilot Watch CPO
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Longines “Hour-Angle” watch
The “Hour-Angle” system was invented by Philip Van Horn Weems (1889-1979) of the Annapolis Naval Academy, an authority in the 1920’s and 1930’s. He trained the famous Charles A. Lindbergh (1902-1974), who set the record for the first non-stop transoceanic flight.
The watch, as a navigational instrument for airplane pilots, is used in conjunction with a sextant and the appropriate nautical tables, to permits the rapid computation of the Greenwich hour angle, that is, the aircraft’s longitude.
The large ball-shaped winding-crown enables the watch to be wound by a pilot wearing gloves. It is practically impossible to build a commercial timepiece which will keep time to the exact second under the conditions met in a ship or in an aeroplane. The inevitable variation from true time necessitated an extra calculation in navigation to compensate for this chronometer error. Weems noted that in an airplane moving at speeds of 200 to 300 miles an hour or more, the time required for calculating chronometer error was a danger that should be eliminated.
Since the high gear ratio made it impractical to set the second hand to the dial, Weems chose to set the dial to the hands. The seconds dial in the centre of the watch is rotated by turning a crown or by depressing the small stem on other models. For navigational purposes, Greenwich Mean time is indicated directly. This model of watch was worn by Charles A. Lindbergh at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, the airfield where he landed after opening on May 20-21, 1927, the Atlantic to aviation with his historic solo flight from New York.
The Longines Weems watch is made in two models. The smaller model is useful not only for sea navigators and aircraft pilots, but particularly radio broadcasters as well as others, such as civil engineers who require exact time. Philip V. H. Weems is the holder of many patents of invention filed in the USA, including No. 2 008 734, dated July 23, 1935, where we find the idea of the rotating bezel (among many other technical inventions in this very complex patent).
Information From Longines:
Further to your request, we are pleased to provide the information contained in Longines' handwritten registers. Originally, the serial number 5'526'951 identifies a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 10.68Z. It was invoiced on 25 January 1939 to the company Longines-Wittnauer Co., which was at that time our agent for the U.S.A. The other parts of the watch were produced locally under license from Longines. Unfortunately, since the relevant archives are not in our possession, we are unable to provide any further information on your model.
SPECIFICATION |
|
Case |
10K Gold Filled Case and Case Back. Some scratches, and lugs has some discolorations. |
Case Size |
33,00 mm without the crown and 40,50 Lug to Lug |
Case Back |
10K Gold Filled cover signed. Snap on. Engraving BILL from DAD 2-23-43. Dont open the case back unless it is done by a professional watch maker. Please note this watch is over 80 years old. |
Crown |
UnSigned |
Crystal |
Acrylic Some Scratches |
Bezel: |
Special rotating bezel with 24 marking ( 1-12 marks plus 30 in between) |
Dial: |
Beautiful blue hands with Roman numbers dial, Swiss made Mark . Shows light patina Please see picture for more detail. |
Complication |
Seconds, Lindbergh internal rotating silver dial for synchronization of the seconds hand with a radio time signal and rotating bezel to adjust to daily variations of the equation of time. Second crown for inner dial clock wise only. |
Movement |
Manual-winding Famouse Longines 10.68Z (Longines 10L) |
Movement Notes |
Just inspected and in great shape. Serviced by last owner. Please see pictures and as some old movements don't have a very clear marking. Movement is running. Keeps great time see below time testing. |
Strap |
Genuine Longines Croco Veritable Leather in Navy Blue prefect accent with the dial, Lug Size: 16 mm Please see picture. |
Box |
Come with Beautiful Vintage Longines Gold Box |
Reference # |
Lindbergh |
Made in |
Switzerland |
Water Resistance |
No. Please pressure test before water use. |
Service Level |
2 (Please see Tab below for details) |
Timing Test ** |
+25s/day In-House Time Test Results (See Service Level Tab)** |
Certified Pre-Owned |
Passed 25-point inspection. Please see tab below for details. |
Warranty |
NA (Please see Tab below for details) |
Notes: |
All watch functions tested and operable. Circa 1939 Second crown for inner dial clock wise only. Engraving BILL from DAD 2-23-43. Dont open the case back unless it is done by a professional watch maker. |
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I have bought few watches from them and recommend them if you are looking to buy a watch. I as actually able to buy few watches from them that were not listed on their website. Apparently they have a lot of inventory that doesn’t even make it to the website. So if your are looking for vintage watches, you might want email them, if you can’t find it on the site.
Thank you for all the help Raymin.
I have bought few watches from them and recommend them if you are looking to buy a watch. I as actually able to buy few watches from them that were not listed on their website. Apparently they have a lot of inventory that doesn’t even make it to the website. So if your are looking for vintage watches, you might want email them, if you can’t find it on the site.
Thank you for all the help Raymin.
ROLEX CELLINI DANAOS XL 4243
Wire Transfer Customer
Dear Raymin,
I have received the watch! It’s beautiful and exactly as described. Thank you very much for making the international delivery a very pleasant one. I appreciate your quick and frequent updates, your fantastic customer service and definitely your competitive
prices. Looking forward to buying more from you in future!
Warm regards, Hendri
prices. Looking forward to buying more from you in future!
Jaeger Lecoultre Grand Reverso 8 days
Wire Transfer Customer
I am delighted with the vintage watch that I purchased from 'Expert Watches'. It is in exactly the condition that was described with perfect patina. As a customer I could not be more delighted with the service Provided by Raymin. The communication has been
first rate and the way in which, as a first time buyer, I was helped with the details of purchase, transfer of funds and shipping was fantastic. The watch arrived on the other side of the Atlantic, expertly packaged and tracked. All in all I would thoroughly 'Expert Watches' and I will certainly be purchasing again from them to add to my vintage watch collection.
first rate and the way in which, as a first time buyer, I was helped with the details of purchase, transfer of funds and shipping was fantastic. The watch arrived on the other side of the Atlantic, expertly packaged and tracked. All in all I would thoroughly 'Expert Watches' and I will certainly be purchasing again from them to add to my vintage watch collection.
David UK
Wire Transfer Customer
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