Longines - Chronostop Japanese Air Force
Longines - Chronostop Japanese Air Force
An extremely rare and large vintage single-button fly-back aviator's wrist chronograph with central minute register, invoiced on February 7th, 1956 to the company Hattori, which was at that time Longines agent for Japan - an incredibly rare trophy, which combines technical innovation, fabulous condition and originality Movm. No. 9663557, Ref. 5824 3, Cal. 12.68Z Stop, Case No. 0103, Dimensions 47 mm, circa 1956, Origin Schweiz, Extract from the archives Case: Steel, push back signed "????? No. 0103" (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force No. 0103), bidirectional rotating bezel with engraved chronograph scale on the rehaut, calibrated to 60 minutes. Dial: Black, outer ring calibrated for 60 minutes register with red central hand, auxiliary seconds, luminous Arabic numerals. Movm.: Manual. Military timepieces such as this are quite rare and highly sought after. Being one of the biggest Swiss manufacturers, Longines was a regular and important supplier for many international military forces, such as the Japanese forces. The 47 mm watch was delivered to a Japanese Air Force pilot as indicated by the engraving "?????" (Japanese air defense forces) on the back. The start-stop-reset model was perfect for easy timekeeping during missions. The fluted ball-shaped crown can be wound even with heavy pilot’s gloves. The watch is powered by the reliable inhouse calibre 12.68Z with stop seconds functionality, also used in the legendary "Stundenwinkel" (hour angle) Longines aviator’s watch. The chronograph register has a central position and replaces the usual small chronograph counter; minutes past are displayed by a central red hand. The large black dial with luminous Arabic numerals ensures perfect readability in all conditions. The scale engraved on the inclined revolving bezel in the glass enlarges the case diameter and improves readability. It also serves as protection from scratches and shocks. According to the extract from the archives that comes with the watch, this military pilot’s watch was produced in 1956 and delivered to Japanese Longhines partner Hattori. The Hattori family still owns the Seiko company established by Kintaro Hattori. Today his great-grandson Shinji Hattori is CEO of the Seiko Corporation. The watch is in excellent condition despite its age. The case shows some few signs of wear, the dial has a matte black colour; the luminous numerals have beautifully darkened. The central position of the chronograph register gives the dial a marvelous balance with the inclined bezel lending it a breathtaking beauty – this is an altogether rare collector’s piece! At our 107th auction in November 2022, we sold an identical wrist chronograph with the engraving 'NAV' on the back. The watch was originally delivered to the Netherlands. Another example is illustrated and described in detail on page 138f in "Longines Watches" by John Goldberger/Giampiero Negretti, Ulm 2006. Case: very good, slightly worn. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running.
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Longines - Chronostop Japanese Air Force
An extremely rare and large vintage single-button fly-back aviator's wrist chronograph with central minute register, invoiced on February 7th, 1956 to the company Hattori, which was at that time Longines agent for Japan - an incredibly rare trophy, which combines technical innovation, fabulous condition and originality Movm. No. 9663557, Ref. 5824 3, Cal. 12.68Z Stop, Case No. 0103, Dimensions 47 mm, circa 1956, Origin Schweiz, Extract from the archives Case: Steel, push back signed "????? No. 0103" (Japanese Air Self-Defense Force No. 0103), bidirectional rotating bezel with engraved chronograph scale on the rehaut, calibrated to 60 minutes. Dial: Black, outer ring calibrated for 60 minutes register with red central hand, auxiliary seconds, luminous Arabic numerals. Movm.: Manual. Military timepieces such as this are quite rare and highly sought after. Being one of the biggest Swiss manufacturers, Longines was a regular and important supplier for many international military forces, such as the Japanese forces. The 47 mm watch was delivered to a Japanese Air Force pilot as indicated by the engraving "?????" (Japanese air defense forces) on the back. The start-stop-reset model was perfect for easy timekeeping during missions. The fluted ball-shaped crown can be wound even with heavy pilot’s gloves. The watch is powered by the reliable inhouse calibre 12.68Z with stop seconds functionality, also used in the legendary "Stundenwinkel" (hour angle) Longines aviator’s watch. The chronograph register has a central position and replaces the usual small chronograph counter; minutes past are displayed by a central red hand. The large black dial with luminous Arabic numerals ensures perfect readability in all conditions. The scale engraved on the inclined revolving bezel in the glass enlarges the case diameter and improves readability. It also serves as protection from scratches and shocks. According to the extract from the archives that comes with the watch, this military pilot’s watch was produced in 1956 and delivered to Japanese Longhines partner Hattori. The Hattori family still owns the Seiko company established by Kintaro Hattori. Today his great-grandson Shinji Hattori is CEO of the Seiko Corporation. The watch is in excellent condition despite its age. The case shows some few signs of wear, the dial has a matte black colour; the luminous numerals have beautifully darkened. The central position of the chronograph register gives the dial a marvelous balance with the inclined bezel lending it a breathtaking beauty – this is an altogether rare collector’s piece! At our 107th auction in November 2022, we sold an identical wrist chronograph with the engraving 'NAV' on the back. The watch was originally delivered to the Netherlands. Another example is illustrated and described in detail on page 138f in "Longines Watches" by John Goldberger/Giampiero Negretti, Ulm 2006. Case: very good, slightly worn. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running.
