Longines first Limited Edition release Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch

[Bill Sohne]

Hello everyone ....

I remember when this was first offered ... like in 1987/1988 is the full size Lindbergh Hour Angle Replica ( I will refer to it as LHAR watch.. this is 47.5 mm in diameter ( issued in an edition 1000 in steel and 100 in 18k yellow gold) and not to confuse with the other 1987 Limited edition Lindbergh Hour Angle with the automatic movement that is 4/5 of the original size ( aka 38 mm) .

There is very little info on this model on the internet, due in most part when it was issued ... for the 60th anniversary of the first solo flight across the Atlantic between NYC and Paris, 1987. The only source I came across was a brief reference to the 4/5 hour angle watches being announced at a major press event at the Aéroport Le Bourget in Paris, France. Where Longines had a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis recreate the landing on the 60th anniversary of the solo flight May 21 1987 and also had a Air France Concorde do a " touch down and go" on another runway. I dont know if the LHAR was also announced ( cant find any printed matter on this model ). But from what I can determine it was for sale in 1988 ..

I checked my library my first issue of IW mag was fall or winter of 1989. There is no specific info on the release of the LHAR . Longines marketing department released an entire LINE based on the design style of the Longines Hour angle.... to include Ladies , Chronographs and watches... even in multi colors it reminds me of the Omega Schumacher Speedmaster of the time ( 90's ). Longines did saturate the market with hour angle styled watches .... which did not help matters in reference to do research.... Any of the articles you can find online does not even have correct ref numbers for the different LHAR models produced... and they kind of blur this issue.... ( this is no fault of the authors its due to the fact there is just about no info available.)

So the start
The first Limited edition 60th Anniversary of 1000 from 1988 in Steel LHAR 47.5 mm Ref is 876.5238
The first Limited edition 60th Anniversary of 100 from 1988 in GOLD LHAR 47.5 mm Ref is 876.5239 (new data)

The second Limited edition 75th Anniversary of 75 watches from 2002 in Steel LHAR 47.5 mm Ref is L2.638.4
Titled the" Spirit of St. Louis Edition "

Back to the watch itself...

When I first saw one of the LHAR It was love at first sight! I was working a show trade show for Aldus in the UK... and a customer I was talking with was wearing it... I said it was great and he told me the movement is manual wind and was NOS that was upgraded to current tech and Longines issued it . More about that later.....

I have an 8 inch wrist so a 47.5 mm diameter watch is not a far reach for me.
It came in a fullsize leather briefcase in a hardwood individually number watchbox and it even has a matching number wooden model of the Spirit of St. Louis plane!

I wrote to Longines....
this is the reply I got...

Dear Mr Sohne,

Thank you for your message and the information provided.

Further to your request, we are pleased to provide the information contained in Longines' handwritten registers.

According to the images, we identify the model reference 5238. This Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch in stainless steel is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 876 and was launched in 1988.

The recommended retail price of this model at that time was CHF 3'500.-

We hope this information will be of help to you and remain at your entire disposal for any further information you may need.

Truly yours,
Cayetano Selfa
Brand Heritage

--------

Now it gets interesting Longines says it has caliber 876..... doing more searching it appears to be based on the vintage longines caliber Longines 37.9 ABC ( that is the caliber 878 sub seconds ).



What is in the LHAR is a sweep seconds version based on a Longines 37.9 ABC.... which @Tony C. has done some detailed research on here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-unique-vintage-longines-and-its-connection-to-one-of-the-“princes-of-precision”.77020/

Now in comparing the LHAR to what @Tony C. has looks like Longines" modernized " the 876 ...

So this limited edition has alot to offer...... Well I got run to work ... will continue when I have more time.... as Longines did issue more full sized 47.5 mm watches but more and more of them have modern automatic movements... which I find to be less interesting... .

here are photos of My 1988 limited edition...
these are the sellers photos...


You gota love the Box and papers of the first limited edition ! The plane , the book and the inner box is also individually numbered and all matching..

NEW PHOTOS>>>> 1 of 100 edition in 18k yewllow gold and notice the center disc is mother of pear ! thanks to the owner of this Ref is 876.5239 ( it was his fathers ).






Next are pic of the second limited edition from 2002 .... I found some seller pics online I am posting them here as a reference only.. and I have no association with the sellers ... I handled one of the watches as it was in NYC...










Once again this is a work in progress.....

I just find that these early Limited edition full size replicas with the manual wind movement were overlooked...
I will post a few wrist shots in a follow up post !

Good Hunting
Bill Sohne

Edited: Feb 26, 2021

 

[Bill Sohne]

Hi guys

ok time for my photos on wrist and off shots ... I am amazed no replies to my post .... Maybe that is the reason for the misinformation in other post on these early limited editions just not enough interest. That is ok as well ...



and my dads Seiko !

good hunting

bill

 

[Larry S]

Cool piece ... assume the pusher below the crown engages it for time setting?

 

[Bill Sohne]

Larry S

Cool piece ... assume the pusher below the crown engages it for time setting?

Wow a reply !!!

to answer your question , yes for setting the time!

thanks
Bill

 

[zoohannover]

Thanks for the interesting write up and the photos!
Really need to learn more about Longines.

(At least the use of the word ‚replica‘ should have made some people freak out. 😉)

 

[BlackTalon]

Bill Sohne

Wow a reply !!!

I read it, and appreciate the time/ effort you put into it (and your willingness to share). I think it is great that you posted this. 👍

 

[Larry S]

Bill,

Re: Lack of response. When we use the word “replica” it implies something not entirely genuine. This is really a reissue of a Longines classic. Perhaps change the title using the word “Reissue”. Just a thought.

 

[Bill Sohne]

Larry S

Bill,

Re: Lack of response. When we use the word “replica” it implies something not entirely genuine. This is really a reissue of a Longines classic. Perhaps change the title using the word “Reissue”. Just a thought.

Longines used the word " REPLICA" see inside of the caseback ....

"How about this is a real post ! "

hahahah

 

[Bill Sohne]

its done.

 

[STANDY]

Crown reminds me of a

 

[JimInOz]

STANDY

Crown reminds me of a

A lot safer on your fingers though!

 

[CJpickup57]

It just so happens I was in D.C. in September for work and was able to visit some museums and monuments as anyone from the US should do on their first visit to the area. Here are a few photos I happened to take of the original watch at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum:



I took photos of all the watches in that area for my own photo collection and fancy that, they have already proved useful to share. Beautiful watch in my opinion. I really love the blued hands.

Thank you for sharing your LE version!

 

[Evitzee]

I was living in Saudi Arabia in the late 80's and I remember seeing one of these at a Longines dealer in Jeddah, just didn't appreciate it at the time. Sometimes you don't understand some things until later. CHF 3,500 in 1988 was about US$2,350. With typical discount you could have picked one up for about $1,800.

Thanks for the detailed report.

 

[Walrus]

Very interesting write up and what a damn fine watch. Looks fine on you I couldn’t do 47mm but it is a stunning piece.

 

[JimInOz]

The faux leather manufacturers from the 1980s have a lot to answer for, looks like the pillow is degrading in the same way many of my Omega boxes have.

You need a new pillow Bill.

 

[Mark020]

Very cool watch Bill!!

 

[Bill Sohne]

CJpickup57

It just so happens I was in D.C. in September for work and was able to visit some museums and monuments as anyone from the US should do on their first visit to the area. Here are a few photos I happened to take of the original watch at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum:



I took photos of all the watches in that area for my own photo collection and fancy that, they have already proved useful to share. Beautiful watch in my opinion. I really love the blued hands.

Thank you for sharing your LE version!

Tanks for posting these ...... I used to live in Northern Va... and would go to the air and space.... Plus after I moved back to NY... The opened the Air and Space Annex... which I went to once and was totally over whelmed .

Best
bill

 

[cicindela]

Fantastic piece Bill. Just don’t try flying the Atlantic, we don’t want to lose you. 😁

 

[Bill Sohne]

JimInOz

The faux leather manufacturers from the 1980s have a lot to answer for, looks like the pillow is degrading in the same way many of my Omega boxes have.

You need a new pillow Bill.

HI
Your right about the pillow and inside the inner box... Real shame from Longines... as the briefcase is all leather , interior as well... The only item that was faux leather was the interior of the real hardwood inner box! I guess I can get its relined in leather .. but its not a priority.

Best
Bill

 

[MCC]

That is certainly not your run of the mill watch and you are unlikely to meet anyone else that has one.

Way too big for my puny wrists, but very cool.