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Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 135

Timekeeper with 1 ComplicationLongines Watch Co., "Lindbergh", invented by Col. Chas. A. Lindbergh, US Pat. 1923305, launched on the market in 1932.Fine and rare hour-angle, center-seconds, silver and stainless steel aviator's wristwatch.

CHF 14,000 - 16,000

USD 8,800 - 10,000

Sold: CHF 16,100

C. four-body, polished, revolving bezel with blue and black enameled 15 degree graduations, graduated band, the ball-shaped crown also activates the revolving central dial, steel cuvette. D. white enamel with black enameled radial Roman numerals for the 12 hours indication, concentric, the 180 degrees in blue enameled Arabic numerals, at the center, revolving matte silver dial bearing painted black Arabic numerals for the 60 minutes and painted red Arabic numerals for the 15 degrees. "Breguet" bued steel hands. M. 17''', rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 48 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

The hour angle system watch is called the "Weems Model" because of its Inventor: Professor Philippe Vanhorn Weems of the Naval Academy of Annapolis, who was an authority in the 1920's and 30's. He trained the famous Charles A. Lindbergh, who established the record for the first non-stop transoceanic flight. The"Lindbergh Model" hour angle watch used for this flight was based on Weems' invention. Professor Weems wrote several important books and received a Gold Medal from the International Aeronutic Federation.This watch bears a large ball-shaped winding-crown, enabling the watch to be rewound 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 encountered in a ship or in an airplane. The inevitable variation from true time necessitated an extra navigational calculation to compensate for the chronometer error. While a Lt. Commander in the US Navy, Weems realized that in an airplane moving at speeds of 200300 miles an hour or more, the time required for calculating chronometer error represented a risk which should be eliminated. Since high gear ratio made it impractical to set the second hand to the dial, Commander Weems hit upon the idea of setting the dial to the hands. The seconds dial in the center of the large watch is rotated by the small stem.Use: the hour and minute are set on the watch in the usual way. For navigational purposes, Greenwich Civil time is set directly on the watch face. When being set with a radio time signal which comes in on the minute, the second dial is rotated to keep the 60 mark continuously under the second hand. The dial is stopped the instant the signal is heard. For serious navigation, a record should be kept of the errors and of the daily rate as indicated by the movement of the second dial.The Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch is made in two styles. The smaller model is useful not only for sea and air navigators and airline pilots, but particularly for those working in radio broadcasting and others, such as civil engineers, who require the exact time.