25,960 CHF
“For the Japanese Air Force” Longines for Wittnauer, Patent U. S.A, No. 5942058, case No. 20853,“Weems” second setting watch. Sold by the American Forces to the Japanese Air Force in 1933. Fine and very rare hour angle, large, center seconds, "Staybrite " aviator's wristwatch. Four-body, massive, polished, hinged back, engraved Japanese dedication on the back, ball-shaped winding-crown, additional stem on the band to set the center dial time. Hinged Staybrite cuvette. White enamel with painted Breguet numerals, outer minute track, at the centre a revolving matte silver dial to adjust the time in seconds. Blued steel "Breguet" hands. 16 1/2’’’, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 48 mm. Thickness 17 mm. From “The Collection” Notes This watch, very rare and very special, was one of those sold by the American Forces to the Japanese Air Force in 1933. The dedication in Japanese on the case back says: "Air Force". The hour angle system was invented by Philippe Vanhorn Weems of the Annapolis Naval Academy, who was an authority in the 1920s and 30s. He trained the famous Charles A. Lindbergh, who set the record for the first non-stop transoceanic flight. This watch bears a large ball-shaped winding-crown, enabling the watch to be wound by a pilot wearing gloves. It is practically impossible to build a commercial timepiece which wi
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2007-05-13
