Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 400

Longines Watch Co., "Lindbergh", invented by Col. Chas. A. Lindbergh, US Pat. 1923305, launched on the market in 1932.Very fine and rare large hour angle, center-seconds, stainless steel aviator's wristwatch with a leather army strap and fitted box.

CHF 13,000 - 16,000

EUR 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 13,800

C. four-body, polished, revolving bezel with blue and black enameled 15-degree graduations, graduated band, the ball-shaped crown also activating the revolving central dial, steel cuvette. D. white enamel with black enameled Roman numerals for the 12-hour indication, concentric, the 180 degrees in enameled Arabic numerals, at the center, revolving off-white dial bearing painted black Arabic numerals for the 60 minutes and painted red Arabic numerals for the 15 degrees. "Breguet" blued steel hand. 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
Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Weems ModelThis hour angle system is called the "Weems Model" for its inventor, Philippe Vanhorn Weems, of the Naval Academy of Annapolis, who was an authority in the 1920-30's. He trained the famous Charles A. Lindbergh who established the record for the first non-stop transatlantic flight. The hour-angle watch called the "Lindbergh Model", used for this flight, stems from Weems' invention. Weems wrote several important books and received a Gold Medal from the International Aeronautic 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 in a ship or an airplane. The unavoidable variation of the chronometer from true time necessitated an extra calculation in navigation to compensate for the error. Weems noted that in an airplane moving at speeds of 2- 300 miles an hour or more, the time required focalculating chronometer error was a risk that should be eliminated. Since it is impractical to set the second hand to the dial because of high gear ratio, Weems chose to set the dial to the hands. the seconds dial in the center of the large watch being rotated by a small stem.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 requiring exact time.