Longines Twenty-Four Hours
The Watch used by Swissair Navigators
In the 1950’s Longines supplied watches to the Swiss national airline, Swissair. These timepieces, which had been developed specifically from the brand’s aviators’ watches, had a very distinctive 24-hour dial. This technical characteristic met the needs of navigators who, at the time, had to determine the position of the aircraft and set up a flight plan. Longines has now re-issued this watch for both historical and functional reasons, as well as for the aesthetic attraction it still holds. The new version has been given the name Longines Twenty-Four Hours.
Inspired by a watch created for Swissair navigators, the Longines Twenty-Four Hours is fitted with calibre L704.3, a self-winding movement whereby the hands make one full circle of the dial in 24 hours. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 47.50 mm; the dial is matt black with 24 white Arabic numerals coated with Super-LumiNova and has a railway-track minute circle. The time is indicated by hands coated with Super-LumiNova and the watch has a centre seconds hand, all for ease of use, like the original model. There is a date aperture at 3 o’clock. A sapphire glass covers the dial and this timepiece also has a transparent caseback, with its own cover, which reveals the delicate details of the movement. The Longines Twenty-Four Hours is mounted on a black alligator strap and is water-resistant to 3 bar (30 meters).
Longines Twenty-Four HoursTechnical specificationsReference number Longines Twenty-Four Hours L2.751.4.53.xCalibre Self-winding mechanical movement Calibre L704.3 (ETA A07 171) 16½ lines, 24 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour 48-hour power reserveFunctions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour circle on dialCase Circular, stainless steel, Ø 47.50 mm Engraved and numbered back cover (unlimited series) on top of a sapphire glassDial Matt black 24 white Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova Railway track minute circle Date aperture at 3 o’clockHands Skeleton pear steel hour-hand with Super-LumiNova Skeleton leaf minute-hand with Super-LumiNova Stick with drop counterweight seconds handWater-resistance 3 bar (30 metres)Glass Sapphire with non-reflecting coating
Bracelet Black alligator with buckle
