Longines was founded in 1832, and since that time it has become one of the superstars of fine Swiss watch manufacturing. They have outfitted some of the world’s most famous explorers—aviator Charles Lindbergh and polar explorer Roald Amundsen to name but two. 

The Longines Weems Pilot watch is a handsome limited-edition timepiece, of which only 1,000 pieces were produced. As it was created by Longines in celebration of earlier twentieth-century Longines models, it reads Replica upon the closed engraved caseback.

A dashing pilot watch inside and out, it celebrates a curious and essential time-setting technique developed by U.S. Navy officer and instructor Philip Van Horn Reems. 

What Reems did was to create an inner disc that rotated with a 60-second scale that accurately synced up with radio signals that provided a time signal. This “seconds-setting watch” was important to achieve an accurate time that allowed pilots to stay on course. It should be noted that Charles Lindbergh ranks among his most esteemed students.

As a manually wound watch, we encounter the L453.2 Y3 caliber in the engine room, which possesses 17 jewels. The silver-toned dial is clean and clear, as it should be. Look for printed, easy-to-read Arabic numerals along with blued steel leaf hour and minute hands with a center seconds hand.

The stainless steel case measures a comfortable 33 mm in diameter and rests upon a leather strap with a tang buckle. Look for a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a push / pull winding crown. The bezel-locking crown at 4 is used to accurately set the time.

From its limited-edition availability to its historic importance, we believe this Longines Weems watch will make an essential addition to your collection.

Standout features: Limited edition of only 1,000 pieces produced; celebrates historic Longines Weems timepieces; unique “seconds-setting watch” design.

Details at a glance:

• Model Reference: L2.606.4
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Case Dimensions: 33 mm
• Case Height: 11 mm
• Movement: Manually wound; 17 jewels
• Caliber: L453.2 Y3
• Complication(s) / Feature(s): Standard time, central seconds
• Dial: Silver tone
• Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire
• Winding Crown: Push / pull
• Water-resistance: 30 m / 3 atm
• Band: Black calfskin leather strap
• Clasp: Tang buckle
• Country of Origin: Switzerland
• Condition: Pre-owned in very good condition; tested for all functionalities, timed for accuracy performance and water resistance
• Comments: Includes a gift box