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Brand :
Longines
Collection :
Heritage
Model :
Heritage
Reference :
Longines - 6630
Category :
Wrist Watch
Period :
1950's
Movement :
Mechanical
Caliber :
T
Case material :
Steel
Dial color :
Black
Reference Detail :
6630
Clasp type :
Folding clasp
Dimensions :
47 mm
Complications :
Date, Central second
Description :
Manufacturer: Longines;Year: 1957;Reference No: 6630;Movement No: 9’686’372;Model Name: Swissair;Material: Stainless steel;Calibre: Manual, cal. 37.9, 17 jewels;Bracelet/Strap: Leather;Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle;Dimensions: 47mm diameter;Accessories: Accompanied by Longines Extract from the Archives dated July 2017.;Literature: For other examples of the reference 6630 Swissair, see Longines Watches by John Goldberger, Damiani Editore, pages 88-89.;Catalogue Essay;Longines has a storied history manufacturing aviators’ timepieces, supplying many innovative models to aide pilots and military personnel across a variety of navigation methods – most notably, the Lindbergh Hour Angle and Weems Second Setting models developed from a design by the great American aviator, Charles Lindbergh. Amongst these, one of the rarest and most sought after is the legendary, oversized reference 6630 introduced in 1955. Scholarship tells us the reference was made exclusively for Swissair, the former national airline of Switzerland, in operation from 1931 to 2002, and now part of Lufthansa. According to Longines, the present watch, with case number 91, was invoiced to Swissair on December 20th, 1957, and belonged to a small group of less than 100 examples of the reference made. Scholarship tells us these special watches were given by Swissair’s management to pilots and staff members, and were never made available to the public. So rare is the model, the present example is believed to be only the third reference 6630 to ever appear at auction. With its oversized, 47 mm stainless steel case, large black dial, and inner 24-hour ring, the hardly ever seen watch has become a rare icon from the earliest days of jet travel. In exceptional overall condition, this impressive watch offers a rare opportunity for the connoisseur.
