Fine Watches
Fine Watches
Longines
References 7411, 8350, A pair of stainless steel split seconds chronograph stop watches, owned and used by Jean Pitallier, Former President of the French Cycling Federation, and time keeper and race official of the Tour de France 1973 - 1980
No reserve
Lot Closed
March 8, 05:56 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
References 7411, 8350
A pair of stainless steel split seconds chronograph stop watches, owned and used by Jean Pitallier, Former President of the French Cycling Federation, and time keeper and race official of the Tour de France 1973 - 1980
Dials: silvered
Calibers: cal. 262 mechanical
Cases: stainless steel
Closure: genuine leather carry cases with straps
Size: approximately 66 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: The present lot is accompanied by a folio of documents accumulated during Pitallier's tenure as the Tour De France Time Keeper and Race official, including chronometer papers, contracts, instructions, speeches, private correspondences and racing results
The present lot encompasses a venerable time capsule from the unique point of view of Mr Jean Pitallier, a former competitive cyclist, President of the French Cycling Federation, and the official timekeeper and race official of the Tour de France from 1973 to 1980. Committed to precision timekeeping, Mr Pitallier chose to record the Tour de France with a pair of Longines split-second chronographs. The Reference 7411 and 8350 are each housed in oversized stainless steel cases that are protective and durable while being light weight for utilitarian use. Housed within, the caliber 262 was the successor of exceptional precision models known for recording the Olympic games from the 1950s to the early 1970's.
While collectable on their own, these watches are elevated by an incredible treasure trove of documents and photographs - score cards of meticulously recorded and calculated times tables, photographs, and timing results from the many years in which these watches were heartily used.