George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The quote, forever immortalised by Winston Churchill, is a great reminder that the education of our past is necessary to through the future. In the ever-evolving world of watches however, it’s a note to the wise that sometimes, there’s a need to revisit history. As far as brands go, Longines is one of the few that has put this in practice without fault. The Swiss watchmaker celebrates its 185th anniversary this year and with that much history to learn from, its Heritage line has been the perfect manner to revitalise old timepieces for the modern day.
The Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935
The latest iteration of Longines’ tradition is the new Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935. In true throwback fashion, Longines took inspiration from its early days of association with pioneer aviation to produce a chronograph fitting for the time. Designed with the glory days in mind, the Type A-7 sees large honey-coloured Arabic numerals contrasting the polished white lacquer dial that allows for increased legibility. The pear skeleton hands in blued steel and honeyed varnish, a common style in those days, stand out as well. What makes the Avigation Watch Type A-7 a unique piece in this day and age is obviously, the angled dial. Tilted at just 40° to the right, this function allowed for pilots back then to read the time easily when the watch was worn on the inside of wrists. While you may not be able to fly a plane any time soon, the same ease at reading applies to your daily car ride.
Powering the Type A-7 1935 is the automatic L788.2 calibre that features a base ETA movement, upgraded exclusively for Longines to feature a column wheel movement and a monopusher function. This allows for the user to control the different chronograph functions just by pressing the single push-piece at the top of the case. Like many timepieces in Longines’ Heritage collection, the Type A-7 1935 is a timepiece that blends both old and new. With modern horology beating inside the piece, you can rest easy enjoying the vintage aesthetic without worrying about an aged movement.
While Santayana’s quote may sum up life, perhaps a better quip for Longines’ and its success in tradition is Mark Twain’s – “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” The Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 is a prime example of that poetry between years. On top of 2017 being the brand’s 185th anniversary, the year also marks its 90th anniversary of the partnership between Longines and famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh.
For more information, visit Longines’ boutiques at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #B1-90A/B and Marina Square #02-132