Longines Weems Second-Setting wristwatch, circa 1930s

Technical characteristics

Type

Navigation wristwatch

Bezel design

Bi-directional rotating bezel with locking crown at 2 o'clock

Case diameter

27.5 mm

Case material

10K yellow gold filled

Place recorded

Switzerland

Movement calibre

Cal. 10L (10.68 Z), 15 jewels

Maker / attribution

Longines

Case back inscription

Longines - Weems Second-Setting Watch - Invented by Lt. Com. P.V.H. Weems USN

Design

Visible features

• Light-toned matte dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and central hands • Dial signed 'LONGINES' below the 12 o'clock position • Calibrated rotating bezel with engraved numerals and calibration indices • Dual crowns on the case band: locking crown at approximately 2 o'clock and main winding crown at 3 o'clock • Fitted with a brown leather strap

Case and Bezel Structure

The seller reports that the watch features a 10K yellow gold-filled case measuring 27.5 mm across excluding the crown, accompanied by a bi-directional rotating bezel with a locking crown at 2 o'clock. Visual observation confirms dual crowns on the case band—a locking crown at approximately 2 o'clock and a primary crown at 3 o'clock—as well as a calibrated rotating bezel with engraved numerals and calibration indices. The case back is not visible in the provided front view. The vendor reports that the exterior case back is inscribed: "Longines - Weems Second-Setting Watch - Invented by Lt. Com. P.V.H. Weems USN", and states that the case is signed.

Dial and Reported Movement

Visible observation shows a light-toned matte dial with Arabic numeral hour markers, central hands, and dial signature "LONGINES" situated below the 12 o'clock position. The source describes the dial as matte silver with gold hands, gold Arabic numeral markers, and a rail track outer seconds marker ring. The watch is shown on a brown leather strap. The movement is not visible in the photograph. The vendor reports it to be a 15-jewel hand-wound Calibre 10L (10.68 Z) movement, noting that the movement itself is signed.

Identity and Design Context

The source describes this item as a vintage Longines Weems "Second-Setting" navigational wristwatch dating to circa the 1930s, while also listing it in the title as circa 1937. According to the seller, the model is based on the navigation system devised by Captain Philip van Horn Weems and measures 27.5 mm across excluding the crown, leading it to be classed as the "baby" Weems. The seller specifies that this piece is the model featuring the bezel locking crown at 2 o'clock (distinguishing it from larger versions with crowns at 4 o'clock) and notes that it lacks military ordnance inscriptions on the case back.

Identification

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.