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Longines Yellow Gold Enamel Dial Military Chronograph Manual Watch from 1933
About the Item
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company
STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Chronograph
METAL / MATERIAL: 14 Kt. Solid Gold
DIMENSIONS: Length 41mm X Diameter 39mm
CIRCA / YEAR: 1933
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels
DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel / Breguet Style / Breguet Blued Hands
ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather, 19mm / Medium Length
WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement.
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT
This is a fantastic and rare watch. It is the largest Longines wrist chronograph produced at the time. The case has a coin edge, hinged back and bezel and a beautiful cuvette stating its provenance. The movement is in excellent condition and the steel work has Anglage finishing. This rare watch is running fine and you can wear it and use it to count off the minutes left on your parking meter.
The Company continued to grow and prosper throughout the 19th century. During the American Civil War, they supplied watches to the military, and of course they grew because of this association.
In 1885, they moved their headquarters to Waltham, Massachusetts, and changed their name to the American Waltham Watch Company.
Waltham was a major exhibitor at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The company's exhibit at the exposition was housed in a large pavilion that was designed to resemble a factory. The pavilion was filled with watches of all shapes and sizes, as well as machinery used in the manufacturing process. The exhibit was a major success, and it helped to raise the profile of Waltham watches around the world.
Amongst the visitors at the exhibition was a contingent from Switzerland. When they realized what Waltham was doing, they quickly understood that their methods were outdated and soon enough they would be a country unable to compete. They also went to the Waltham factory for a visit after the exhibition. It is said that they purchased a few of Waltham’s higher grade movements. The director of the factory said he would have them “adjusted” before they left, but they said it was not necessary. When they arrived back in Switzerland, they checked them and were shocked at the level of quality and accuracy. This prompted them to buy some of the equipment that Waltham was using so they could start building better watches that were less expensive and more accurate.
Some of that machinery ended up in the small town of Schaffhausen and became The International Watch Company. They are still in business today making exceptional watches.
The military, for any nation, is a powerful source of revenue for industrial contracts. So, any industry would prosper during war and Waltham continued to be a supplier to the military for over 100 years. Through WW 1, WW 2 and the Korean war they designed timers, navigational devices, automobiles, aviation and nautical equipment.
The Waltham Watch Company, like many companies, inevitably went through a series of financial difficulties. During the 1920’s they almost went bankrupt because different departments were actually competing against each other for contracts. Some departments had made enough parts for watches to last 20 years. By then of course they would have been useless. There were several restructurings of the powerful entity but eventually in 1957, after producing about 40 million watches, the company was forced to close its doors. However, the company's legacy continues to live on. Waltham watches are still sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and the company's history is an important part of the story of American manufacturing.
- Creator:
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- Strap Material:Leather
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- Date of Manufacture:1930's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: R 429 H1stDibs: LU422321550192
Longines
Longines is known for creating some of the most technically innovative and attractive timepieces in the world. Once worn by Humphrey Bogart, Albert Einstein, Richard Byrd and Charles Lindbergh, the company's vintage watches are now sought after by collectors and anyone desiring to wear a high-grade wristwatch.
About the Seller
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