132 Longines Very Fine and Graceful Oversize Military Style Wristwatch in Steel, With Black Dial, Radio Hands and Numbers
Estimate: €18,000 – 35,000
Sold (Premium)€23,400
Model: Military
Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1930s
Case N°: 20118-13
Caliber: 17.26
Movement type: Manual
Movement N°: 5677947
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 43 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
There was a time when, before being luxury items, status symbols or collector’s objects, watches were necessary accessories for the equipment of soldiers and militaries. Before being preserved in secure safe boxes, these watches coexisted with explosions and shots, with rainy, windy or hail conditions. Given the difficult life most of these watches have spent, it is always difficult to find interesting pieces in good conditions but yet, it happens to make pleasant discoveries. Among the Switzerland’s largest manufacturers of timepieces is listed for sure Longines, which was an important supplier of wristwatches to militaries of multiple nations. The here offere wristwatch is a beautiful example equipped with the famous caliber 17.26. Its stainless steel case has a strong and solid appearance: entirely made of steel, a cheaper and more resistant material, it presents solid curved lugs still sharp, a looping bezel and a delicately knurled winding crown. Although it has presumably faced various warlike adversities, the watch still has excellent storage conditions. The dial reflects the typical characteristics of military quadrants: matte black, large Arabic numerals with luminous material, seconds separated at six and large luminescent hands to easily indicate the time. The charm that it is able to emanate is evident with the amber yellow color of the indexes and hands, the patina that with the passing of time has taken over the entire black background giving it an almost three-dimensional effect and the simplicity of the single Longines writing at hours 12. Rich in stories to tell and with a simple but extremely efficient style, this watch is a perfect object for every fan of war period timepieces.