218 Longines Unusual Oversized and Historically Important Wittnauer Pilot’s Wristwatch in Stainless Steel, Reference 4356, With Weems Second Setting System, Box, Papers and Extract from archives.

Estimate: €35,000 –⁠ 70,000

Model: Weems
Reference: 4356
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1948
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 37.9
Case N°: 23431
Movement N°: 7298460
Dimensions: 47 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Accessories: Box,Papers and Extract from Archives

This oversized watch anticipated the times for its big dimensions and can now be considered in the standard size with its 47 mm case diameter. Born as a tool watch, this watch has to be worn over an aviator suit and handled with very bulky gloves. Giving this, there’s another important and distinctive characteristic of the “Weems” and is the large ball-sized winding crown, allowing a pilot to rewind the movement without taking off the gloves. The present watch is very special since it is in incredible conditions. The stainless steel hinged cuvette has been really well preserved still very clean and reflective. The two-tone dial with white enamel chapter ring and silvered rotating inner disc to set the time in seconds shows Breguet numerals blued steel moon hands. A true “time capsule” piece, its pristine state of preservation makes it a trophy watch for the connoisseur. With the Longines Extract from the Archives confirming case, movement, production and subsequent sale on 28 June 1948 to the company Longines-Wittnauer Watch Co., which was at that time the Longines agent for the U.S.A.