Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle (1930s Original)

A Watch Born from Solo Transatlantic Flight

The Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle watch is one of the most historically significant timepieces ever created. Designed in collaboration with Charles A. Lindbergh following his historic 1927 solo transatlantic flight, this watch was conceived as a practical navigational instrument that allowed pilots to determine their longitude during flight. The original 1930s production models, manufactured before World War II, represent both horological excellence and aviation history in a single wristwatch.

Lindbergh conceived the Hour Angle watch based on his experiences navigating across the Atlantic. During his 33.5-hour flight from New York to Paris, accurate time-keeping and celestial navigation were critical survival skills. The watch he designed with Longines addressed the specific mathematical requirements of aerial navigation by displaying time in a format that could be directly applied to longitudinal calculations.

The Design

The Hour Angle watch is instantly recognizable by its large case (47.5mm in the original) and distinctive rotating bezel. The oversized case was deliberate, as it needed to be readable in the cockpit of an aircraft.

Design Features

• Large silver or steel case (approximately 47.5mm diameter)

• Rotating center dial graduated in degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc

• Outer chapter ring showing hours in the 24-hour system

• Inner revolving hour ring that can be set to Greenwich Mean Time

• Applied luminous hour markers for cockpit visibility

• Brown or black leather strap (original versions)

• Manual-winding movement

The watch's navigational function works by allowing the pilot to read the hour angle of Greenwich directly from the dial. When combined with a sextant reading of a celestial body and the appropriate navigation tables, this information yields the aircraft's longitude. In an era before GPS, radio navigation, or even reliable radio communication, this was life-or-death technology.

Production History

Longines introduced the Hour Angle watch in 1931, and production continued through the 1930s. Pre-WWII examples are the most historically significant and valuable. After the war, Longines continued to produce the watch in various forms, including modern re-editions.

Production Periods

• First Series (1931-1939): Original production. Sterling silver or stainless steel cases. Manual-wind movements (typically Longines caliber 18.69N or similar). These are the most valuable and collectible.

• Post-War Production (1940s-1960s): Continued production in smaller numbers. Still manual-wind but with updated movements.

• Modern Re-Editions (1987-present): Longines has issued several re-edition models that honor the original design. These use modern movements and are available new from retailers.

Condition and Value Guide

1930s Original Models

• Excellent (original dial, case, and movement, recently serviced, minor wear): $30,000 to $50,000+

• Very Good (original dial and case, working movement, moderate wear): $20,000 to $35,000

• Good (original case, possible dial refinishing, working movement, significant wear): $15,000 to $25,000

• Fair (replacement parts, non-original dial or case modifications, needs service): $8,000 to $15,000

Post-War Models (1940s-1960s)

• Excellent condition: $8,000 to $15,000

• Good to Very Good: $5,000 to $10,000

Modern Re-Editions

• Current retail: approximately $3,000 to $5,000

• Secondary market: $2,000 to $4,000

Authentication

Original 1930s Hour Angle watches are high-value items that attract reproductions and misrepresentations. Key authentication points:

• Serial numbers should correspond to 1930s Longines production records

• Movement should be a period-correct Longines caliber

• Case markings should include appropriate hallmarks for the era

• Dial printing style and luminous material should be consistent with 1930s production

• The rotating bezel mechanism should use period-appropriate construction

• Case back engravings and markings should match known genuine examples

Always purchase through reputable dealers or auction houses with expertise in vintage watches. Independent authentication from a vintage watch specialist is recommended for any purchase above $10,000.

Charles Lindbergh and Aviation History

Charles Lindbergh's solo crossing of the Atlantic on May 20-21, 1927 was one of the defining achievements of the 20th century. Flying a single-engine Ryan NYP monoplane (the "Spirit of St. Louis") from Roosevelt Field, New York to Le Bourget Airport, Paris, the 25-year-old airmail pilot became the most famous person in the world overnight.

The experience of that flight directly informed the Hour Angle watch's design. Lindbergh understood that accurate time-keeping was fundamental to aerial navigation, and he worked with Longines' technical team to create a watch that addressed the specific needs of long-distance pilots. The collaboration between a legendary aviator and a premier watchmaker produced one of the most purposeful timepiece designs in history.

Collecting Context

The Lindbergh Hour Angle sits within the broader category of pilot's watches, which has become one of the most active segments of the vintage watch market. Key competitors and contemporaries include:

• Breitling Navitimer (1952)

• IWC Pilot's Watch (various models from the 1930s onward)

• Zenith Pilot Type 20 (1930s military)

The Lindbergh Hour Angle is distinguished from these by its direct connection to aviation's most famous figure and its genuinely functional navigational capability.

Care and Maintenance

• Service the movement every 3-5 years with a watchmaker experienced in vintage Longines calibers

• Store in a watch box or roll away from moisture and temperature extremes

• The leather strap should be replaced as needed, though original straps add value

• Avoid exposing to strong magnetic fields

• If the watch is not worn regularly, wind it periodically to keep the movement lubricated

Final Thoughts

The original 1930s Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle watch is a rarity that combines horological craftsmanship, aviation history, and the legacy of one of history's most celebrated adventurers. For collectors who appreciate watches that were designed with genuine purpose, not merely as luxury accessories, the Hour Angle represents one of the most meaningful acquisitions in the vintage watch world.

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