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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Gimballed marine chronometer

Longines Marine Chronometer in Wood Box

Partially verified

This manual-wind marine chronometer by Longines is housed in a hardwood box and reported to date from circa 1940 or the end of the 1940s. The brass-cased instrument is suspended in a gimbal ring mounted to the internal baseplate. It features a light dial signed 'LONGINES' and 'CRONOMETRO', decorated with faceted applied hour markers, central hour and minute hands, an auxiliary up-and-down power-reserve indicator subdial beneath 12 o'clock, and a subsidiary seconds counter at 6 o'clock. The lower wooden housing mount bears an applied metal plaque reading 'LONGINES'.

Longines gimballed marine chronometer fitted in a hardwood presentation box
Longines gimballed marine chronometer fitted in a hardwood presentation box — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Marine chronometer · Gimballed marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Longines
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
78
Source-reported date
circa 1940
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
7320381

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Object Identification and Dating

This Longines marine chronometer is housed in a hardwood box. The source material provides inconsistent dating, stating the year as 'circa 1940' in the specifications while referencing the 'end of the 40's' in the biography.

The object is identified by case number 7320381. The source explicitly disclaims guarantees regarding the functioning, precision, or completeness of the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Year circa 1940”
  • “From the end of the 40's”
  • “Case No. 7320381”
  • “we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement”
  • “movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete”

Construction and Mounting

The instrument consists of a gilt brass bowl mounted within a gimbal ring on support brackets inside a hardwood case. The wooden housing features an applied metal plaque reading 'LONGINES' on the angled front tier.

The auction source notes the item is signed on the dial, case, and movement, although the movement is not visible in the provided materials.

Evidence for this section
  • “GILT BRASS”
  • “Circular brass instrument bowl mounted within a gimbal ring on brass support brackets.”
  • “Applied metal lettering spelling 'LONGINES' affixed to the angled front wooden tier.”
  • “Signature dial, case and movement”

Dial Configuration

The dial features applied faceted markers and painted tracks. Inscriptions include 'LONGINES' with stars above the center and 'CRONOMETRO' below the center.

The layout includes a power-reserve indicator subdial positioned beneath the 12 o'clock marker and a subsidiary seconds register located above the 6 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial inscriptions include 'LONGINES' with stars above center and 'CRONOMETRO' below center.”
  • “Auxiliary power-reserve indicator subdial located beneath 12 o'clock.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned above 6 o'clock.”
  • “White or silvered dial with applied faceted hour markers and painted tracks.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber associated with case number 7320381?
  • Can the production date be reconciled between the 'circa 1940' specification and the 'end of the 40's' biographical claim?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines Marine Chronometer in Wood Box
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
BrandLongines, Switzerland“Brand Longines, Switzerland”
Case Number7320381“Case No. 7320381”
Yearcirca 1940“Year circa 1940”
WindingManual wind“manual wind”
MaterialGilt brass“GILT BRASS”
Dimensions230mm (L) x 130mm (H) x 230mm (W)“Length 230 Height 130 Width 230”
WindingManual wind“manual wind”

Visible details

  • Circular brass instrument bowl mounted within a gimbal ring on brass support brackets.
  • White or silvered dial with applied faceted hour markers and painted tracks.
  • Dial inscriptions include 'LONGINES' with stars above center and 'CRONOMETRO' below center.
  • Auxiliary power-reserve indicator subdial located beneath 12 o'clock.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned above 6 o'clock.
  • Applied metal lettering spelling 'LONGINES' affixed to the angled front wooden tier.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • The auction text contains inconsistent date attributions, listing 'circa 1940' in the specifications table and 'the end of the 40's' in the biographical section.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

LONGINES, SWITZERLAND, MARINE CHRONOMETER CASED IN A WOOD BOX, GILT BRASS | Only Online Auction | Milan April 4th to 17th, 2025

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record f90e8c06e5

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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