Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Nov 11, 2007

LOT 230

Lindbergh Hour-Angle Longines, "Lindbergh", No. 5575398, case No. 2077028. Made in the 1930s. Fine, very rare and unusual, large "hour-angle" centerseconds, stainless steel "Staybrite" aviator's wristwatch.

CHF 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,000 - 9,000 / USD 8,500 - 13,000

Sold: CHF 25,960

C. Four-body, polished, revolving bezel with blue and black enameled 15 degrees graduation, graduated band, the ballshaped crown also activates the revolving central dial, hinged back. Hinged "Staybrite" cuvette. D. White enamel with painted radial Roman numerals for the 12-hour indication, the 180 degrees in blue Arabic numerals, central revolving matte silver dial with painted black radial Arabic numerals for the 60 minutes and painted red radial Arabic numerals for the 15 degrees. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Cal. 18.69N, frosted gilt, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 48 mm. Thickness 15 mm. From ?The Collection?


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The hour angle system was invented by Philippe Vanhorn Weems of the Annapolis Naval Academy, who trained Charles A. Lindbergh. 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 in a ship or an airplane. The inevitable variation from true time necessitated an extra calculation in navigation to compensate for this chronometer error. Weems felt that in an airplane, taking time to calculate chronometer error was dangerous.

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 center of the watch is rotated by depressing the small stem. For navigational purposes, Greenwich Mean time is indicated directly.