44 Longines Follow Ref. 6630 A very rare and unusual oversized stainless steel aviator’s wristwatch with center seconds, and hack feature, made for Swissair. 1957 Case, dial and movement signed 47mm diameter
Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1957 Reference No: 6630 Movement No: 9’686’372 Model Name: Swissair Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 37.9, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 47mm diameter Accessories: Accompanied by Longines Extract from the Archives dated July 2017. Literature: For other examples of the reference 6630 Swissair, see Longines Watches by John Goldberger, Damiani Editore, pages 88-89. Catalogue Essay Longines has a storied history manufacturing aviators’ timepieces, supplying many innovative models to aide pilots and military personnel across a variety of navigation methods – most notably, the Lindbergh Hour Angle and Weems Second Setting models developed from a design by the great American aviator, Charles Lindbergh. Amongst these, one of the rarest and most sought after is the legendary, oversized reference 6630 introduced in 1955. Scholarship tells us the reference was made exclusively for Swissair, the former national airline of Switzerland, in operation from 1931 to 2002, and now part of Lufthansa. According to Longines, the present watch, with case number 91, was invoiced to Swissair on December 20th, 1957, and belonged to a small group of less than 100 examples of the reference made. Scholarship tells us these special watches were given by Swissair’s management to pilots and staff members, and were never made available to the public. So rare is the model, the present example is believed to be only the third reference 6630 to ever appear at auction. With its oversized, 47 mm stainless steel case, large black dial, and inner 24-hour ring, the hardly ever seen watch has become a rare icon from the earliest days of jet travel. In exceptional overall condition, this impressive watch offers a rare opportunity for the connoisseur. Read More Maker Bio Longines Swiss • 1832 Follow Auguste Agassiz founded Longines in 1832, and today is considered to be a pioneer in the evolution of the chronograph. During the 1930s, Longines' chronograph wristwatches were used as tools for wartime aviators and military personnel. As one of Switzerland's largest manufacturers, Longines was an important supplier of wristwatches to militaries of multiple nations. Today, they are owned by the Swatch Group and produce wristwatches for both men and women. Their vintage wristwatches continue to grow in desirability amongst collectors. Some of the most sought-after models include such oversized chronographs as the Lindbergh Hour Angle designed by Charles Lindbergh, Chronostop, Tre Tacche, A-7, Tasti a Spillo and Doppia Lanchetta. View More Works
44 Longines Follow Ref. 6630 A very rare and unusual oversized stainless steel aviator’s wristwatch with center seconds, and hack feature, made for Swissair. 1957 Case, dial and movement signed 47mm diameter
Manufacturer: Longines Year: 1957 Reference No: 6630 Movement No: 9’686’372 Model Name: Swissair Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 37.9, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 47mm diameter Accessories: Accompanied by Longines Extract from the Archives dated July 2017. Literature: For other examples of the reference 6630 Swissair, see Longines Watches by John Goldberger, Damiani Editore, pages 88-89. Catalogue Essay Longines has a storied history manufacturing aviators’ timepieces, supplying many innovative models to aide pilots and military personnel across a variety of navigation methods – most notably, the Lindbergh Hour Angle and Weems Second Setting models developed from a design by the great American aviator, Charles Lindbergh. Amongst these, one of the rarest and most sought after is the legendary, oversized reference 6630 introduced in 1955. Scholarship tells us the reference was made exclusively for Swissair, the former national airline of Switzerland, in operation from 1931 to 2002, and now part of Lufthansa. According to Longines, the present watch, with case number 91, was invoiced to Swissair on December 20th, 1957, and belonged to a small group of less than 100 examples of the reference made. Scholarship tells us these special watches were given by Swissair’s management to pilots and staff members, and were never made available to the public. So rare is the model, the present example is believed to be only the third reference 6630 to ever appear at auction. With its oversized, 47 mm stainless steel case, large black dial, and inner 24-hour ring, the hardly ever seen watch has become a rare icon from the earliest days of jet travel. In exceptional overall condition, this impressive watch offers a rare opportunity for the connoisseur. Read More Maker Bio Longines Swiss • 1832 Follow Auguste Agassiz founded Longines in 1832, and today is considered to be a pioneer in the evolution of the chronograph. During the 1930s, Longines' chronograph wristwatches were used as tools for wartime aviators and military personnel. As one of Switzerland's largest manufacturers, Longines was an important supplier of wristwatches to militaries of multiple nations. Today, they are owned by the Swatch Group and produce wristwatches for both men and women. Their vintage wristwatches continue to grow in desirability amongst collectors. Some of the most sought-after models include such oversized chronographs as the Lindbergh Hour Angle designed by Charles Lindbergh, Chronostop, Tre Tacche, A-7, Tasti a Spillo and Doppia Lanchetta. View More Works
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
