Lot 56

Longines

An extremely rare observatory competition chronometer in a later specially made steel case. In 1948 this watch took part in the chronometer test at the Neuchâtel observatory, category "Chronomètres destinés à être portés en bracelet" and achieved N = 13,0 points, which made it 39th of 52 chronometers - with extract from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding

Longines first produced calibre 15.68Z in 1939. At a diameter of 34 mm and a height of 5,2 mm; the observatory version is fitted with a steel coil with inner and outer curves as well as a Guillaume balance.
Tested over a period of 45 days in different locations and at different temperatures of 36,4 °C und 20 °C at the Neuchâtel observatory, the Longines calibre achieved a record result of N=5,0 in 1945. This record was only tied in 1955 by the Omega brand with a proprietary 30 mm calibre.
This movement is one of 126, which successfully took part in chronometer testing between 1942 and 1948. It was tested in 1948 and awarded a bulletin. Robert Chopard of Saint-Imier was the regleur.