Important Watches: Part I

Important Watches: Part I

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 94. 'Double Hand', Ref. 5699 Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch Circa 1945 | 浪琴 5699型號「Double Hand」精鋼計時腕錶,年份約1945.

Property from a distinguished Texan collector

Longines

'Double Hand', Ref. 5699 Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch Circa 1945 | 浪琴 5699型號「Double Hand」精鋼計時腕錶,年份約1945

Auction Closed

May 11, 01:00 PM GMT

Estimate

30,000 - 40,000 CHF

Lot Details

Description

Property from a distinguished Texan collector

Longines

'Double Hand', Ref. 5699

Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch 

Circa 1945

浪琴 5699型號「Double Hand」精鋼計時腕錶,年份約1945


Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. 13ZN manual winding, 17 jewels

Movement number: 6'989'695

Case: stainless steel, screw-down back

Case number: 305

Dimensions: 39.5 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: no

Papers: no  

Accessories: none

The Longines reference 5699 is known as the 'Doppia Lancetta' (which translates to 'double hand' from Italian) and stands out with its considerable case size, measuring 39.5 mm in diameter. At first glance the watch appears to be a split-seconds chronograph, however, the red central chronograph hand is in fact a minute counter, which differentiates this chronograph from standard ones and is also the reason for the nickname 'Doppia Lancetta'. Furthermore, this interesting complication is rarely seen on watches from that time period and therefore attractive for collectors. The in-house calibre 13ZN is commonly accepted as one of the best chronograph movements ever made and thanks to the minute hand in red the elapsed time can be read with ease.

Offered in attractive condition, the numbers on the case are crisp and the '305' on the case back is repeated on the underside of the lug, thus correctly matching middle case and case back. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a sought-after vintage steel chronograph wristwatch and surely a great addition to any collection.