The Appeal of Traditional Style & Mechanics from the Pinnacle of Swiss Watchmaking

Founded in 1932, Longines boasts a rich history in creating high-precision mechanical watches, particularly in the fields of sports watches and sports timing. In recent years, the brand has anticipated the major watch industry trend of 'a return to classics' with its product development, specifically focusing on models for men and women reminiscent of the 1950s. A key characteristic is its ability to achieve sophisticated mechanisms at reasonable prices, leveraging its strength as a core brand within the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturing conglomerate.

Particularly noteworthy are the models that employ high-end mechanisms such as column wheels, which ensure comfortable and reliable operation, and retrograde displays, which indicate time through a reciprocating hand movement rather than rotation. While the style is classic, the use of modern technology to enhance usability is also commendable, including anti-reflective coating on the crystal for improved visibility and Super-LumiNova coating on the hands and indices for excellent nighttime legibility.

The Legendary Aviation Watch of the 1950s, Reborn

This 'classic' product concept continues to be firmly maintained in 2011. Among these, the most unique and appealing is the reissue of a 1950s aviation (pilot) watch, the 'Longines Twenty-Four Hours,' which features a rare 24-hour dial. A 24-hour dial, as the name suggests, has hour markers indicating time in a 24-hour format. The watch's hour hand, like the dial, completes one revolution in 24 hours, not 12. The model being reissued was manufactured exclusively for Swissair from 1953 to 1958, with 70 units delivered to Swissair, the then-national airline of Switzerland. Technically, it is part of a lineage of historically famous aviation watches, including the 'Longines Weems Second Setting Watch' manufactured in 1927 and the 'Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch' from 1932. The existence of this model came to light when a former Swissair navigator (responsible for measuring the aircraft's current position and calculating its exact route and estimated arrival time) brought the original to the Longines museum in 2009, leading to this reissue.

Not only do the dial and crown follow the original design, but the case back is also a hinged hunter case, allowing the wearer to admire the movement of the automatic winding mechanism. This is a highly recommended piece for anyone seeking a classic yet distinctive wristwatch.

Additionally,Chronographwatch enthusiasts should not overlook the 'Longines Column Wheel Chronograph Record.' This model features a special chronograph second hand developed by Longines in 1966, equipped with a vernier scale to aid in reading values below the smallest increment (under one second). It is a unique timepiece that immediately identifies itself as a special chronograph, characteristic of Longines.

---

Longines
Tel. 03-6254-7351