Jewellery & Watch News
The legendary tilted design of the Longines A-7 is back, this time inspired by a model worn by the US Air Force more than 80 years ago. It’s contemporary iteration, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935, does a fantastic job of bringing its historic predecessor to life by highlighting its key distinguishing element: the dial. Shifted 40% to the right, the unique yet purposeful orientation of the dial was engineered to allow pilots to read the indices effortlessly without having to release the plane’s control yoke.
The new Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 watch copies almost every design element from the original single-button chronograph first produced by Longines during the 1930’s – aside from a few contemporary improvements. Since the Swiss watch manufacturer relaunched the iconic A-7 design back in 2012, it has become an instant hit for vintage watch collector’s who can relive the era through these memorable reinterpretations.
Just like the original, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 is engineered from stainless steel and measures to 41mm in size. It’s chronograph functions which include a central 60 seconds hand and a 30 minutes counter at 3 o'clock are operated using a single pusher located at 12 o’clock. The oversized pusher, which is designed particularly for ease of operation, gives the timepiece a distinctive pocket watch feel as do the straight lugs that make no attempt to blend into the case. It is careful stylistic choices like this that make vintage-inspired Longines watches such as the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 so widely admired by collectors.
Continuing to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 watch showcases a stunning black dial, this time improved by Superluminova coated hands and Arabic numerals. The central hour and minute hands have also been designed in cathedral-style for a sophisticated touch and housed beneath contemporary sapphire crystal glass treated with an anti-reflective coating.
Housed beneath the dial is the L788 automatic winding movement, a Swiss made calibre that beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and promises a power reserve of 54 hours. The 27 jewelled movement provides classic central hands for hours and minutes, chronograph function, small seconds at 9 o’clock and a large date window at 6 o’clock. Assisting in its water resistance of 30 metres, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 watch features a screw down case back beautifully decorated with a stylised airplane to represent the timepiece’s history. To complete the look of the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 watch, a luxurious dark brown alligator leather strap is fitted to the case alongside a classic stainless steel pin buckle.
Expected to be released later this year, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 watch currently retails at £2,650 and can be pre-ordered on the W Hamond website here. For more information on the latest Longines watch releases and the interest free finance and free next day delivery available, get in touch with the team on 01947 603330 or send us a message at info@whamond.com.
Specifications: Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 (L2.812.4.53.2)
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Case Back: Closed with special engraving
- Movement: L788 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, central chronograph 60 seconds, chronograph 30 minutes counter
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Jewels: 27
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black
- Strap: Brown alligator
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £2,650
