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The Heart Rate Monitor.
If you were a physician during the 30s, you'd wear this watch because it does more than just tell the time. It helps measure your patient's heart rate. You'd place a stethoscope on their chest, reveal this Longines on your wrist and count the beats while watching 60 seconds pass. The resulting heart rate? Likely very high.
This timepiece has Art Deco written all over it. The 14K yellow gold case displays a minimalist and understated design. The champagne coloured dial contrasts the blued steel hands and the printed Longines brand name. It has 2 small dials (Duo Dial) - one for the hours and minutes and the other for the seconds. Both windows are surrounded by two levels of black enamel indices that allow for precise time keeping. While proving itself as a handy medical instrument, this watch is undoubtedly a unique piece from the golden era of Longines.
The caliber 9.32 is a manual wind, 6.5 ligne with 17 jewels and is arguably the most sought after of all Longines movements. The case and movement numbers both match. While steel variations are out there, it's the gold version that is the rarest and also the most desirable by collectors.
I personally love the petite case size because it adds to its elegance and charm. For those who are wary of wearing an all gold watch (I hope very few), the 20mm size makes it discreet but equally more intriguing to the keen eye. I know, we're all about oxymorons here.
The watch has been paired with a gorgeous NOS pigskin leather strap made in London in the 1940s. It feels like the right match.
The accompanying Letter of Authenticity sheds some light to its historic past. Originally retailed by Wirth in Switzerland on December 19 1933, my best guess is that this was someone's Christmas gift at the height of the Great Depression. Must've been special. Interestingly enough, the case back is decoratively engraved with initials HCI. This begs the questions - who was HCI? What was he like? Ah, the rabbit holes with collecting vintage.
With close to 90 years to its name, we are excited to continue the story of this beautiful Longines with the next collector.
Enjoy.
Considering its age, this watch is in excellent condition.
The case lines are well preserved with the case number and engraving still deep and visible.
The black enamel indices are immaculate and the dial is in good condition with some blemishes visible only under a loupe.
The leather strap is in new old stock condition.
The movement is super clean, recently serviced and keeping accurate time.
