Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, May 10, 2020

LOT 233

Longines - Double-faced pocket watch, chronographs, minute-recorders, calibre 19.73 N; “Anti Magnétique”; 18K yellow gold

HKD 55,000 - 71,000

USD 7,000 - 9,000 / EUR 6,400 - 8,200 / CHF 7,000 - 9,000

Sold: HKD 87,500

18K yellow gold, double-faced open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6 and four horological complications: The first dial features: • 1/5 second chronograph (activated by the single round push-piece located on the winding-crown) with outer ring divided in 300 • Instantaneous 30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 12 o’clock) The second dial features: • 1/5 second chronograph (activated in the same time; the chronograph-hand turns counter-clockwise) with two Archimedean spiral telemetric scales graduated for 1 000 metres, for one to five minutes base • Instantaneous 5-minute recorder (sector at 12 o’clock). White enamel dial with suspended “Breguet” numerals. On the reverse, white enamel with multicolour double scales (counter-enamel signed “Z.J.”). 19.73 N, 19’’’, gilded brass, going barrel, straight-line equilibrated lever escapement, monometallic screw-balance and self-compensating Breguet hairspring, index regulator; chronograph work on the top plate.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2 *
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Longines, Saint-Imier

Year circa 1930

Movement No. 4 225 346

Case No. unnumbered

Material 18K yellow gold

Diameter 51.3 mm.

Caliber 19.73 N, 19’’’, lever escapement

Signature dial and movement

Accessories original fitted box; Extract from the Archives

Notes

The Extract from the Archives, dated March 2020, mentioned that this watch was invoiced on October 27, 1930, to the Longines agent, Maison Ostersetzer, Italy.
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The watch must have been destined for measuring very high speeds since a second dial was intended just for calculating speeds over 240 km / h. At the time such speeds were encountered in scientific experiments and in aviation (a Bugatti could go to 120 km / h). The main dial was for measuring sailing races, running and car races, the reverse dial was for aviation and scientific measurements.

Bibliography

Donzé, Pierre-Yves, Longines, du comptoir familial à la marque global, Saint-Imier, Editions des Longines, 2012, p. 130.

Pynson, Joël, Le chronograph de poche suisse, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Chronométrophilia Editions, 2015, pp. 101-102, p. 103, ill. 1, and p. 189.

Lachat, Stéphanie, Le Temps Longines, Histoires de Montres, Saint-Imier, Editions des Longines, 2017, p. 75.