Hydrographic Survey” Longines

“Hydrographic Survey” Longines, No 306, Made circa 1942 for the British Royal Navy. Very fine and unusual, large, center-seconds, water-resistant, sterling silver military diver's wristwatch with special water-resistant winding cover Three-body, solid, polished, wire lugs, screwed down bezel and back, case back stamped inside ATO, for Albert Thomas Oliver, and outside “HS C15” for Hydrographic Survey No C15, winding crown protecting by an additional screwed cap, dust protecting cap. Matte black, in brass, with painted large luminous Arabic numerals and indexes. White luminous skeletonized “pear” hands. Cal. 12.68N, frosted gilt, 16 jewels, indirect sweep seconds, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance with timing screws, self compensating blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Diam 51 mm. Thickness 17 mm. Dial, case, and movement signed. Property of an English Gentleman Notes HS stands for “Hydrographic Survey”, the Department of the Admiralty responsible for map & chart making, The Hydrographic Survey was responsible for procuring and servicing all Royal Navy timepieces. In reaction to the deadly attacks carried out by Italian frogmen (see notes to previous lot), Winston Churchill ordered the creation of a special corps of British frogmen to carry out “human torpedo” missions. Special watches were created specifically for this corps; the present lot is one such watch. For further information, see the Spring 2007 Vox, pp 132-137.