Introducing the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 in detail

Among vintage watch reproductions, there are few pilot's watches that are as clearly and faithfully recreated as this one. With a history spanning more than a century, Longines is expanding its Heritage Collection today. One such model is the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935. As the name suggests, the original model was created in 1935 and was worn by American pilots during World War II.

Longines
"Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935"

First impression

　Let's start with the dial design. Like many other pilots from the same era, the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 features large, retro-style Arabic numeral hour markers, a railway minute scale, pocket-watch-style subdials, and an onion-shaped crown. And, as the name suggests, it's a product of its time, adhering to the U.S. military's 1935 standards for precision and timekeeping (the original U.S. Air Force was created before it became an independent service in 1947).
　These specifications were required for all watches bearing the "Type A-7" ​​name, and required not only the highest accuracy but also robustness and legibility in the cockpit during airborne operations. The dial was tilted 40 degrees to the right, allowing pilots to quickly and easily read the time on the watch worn over thick gloves without taking their hands off the control column. For those interested, the word "aviation" is a combination of "aviation" (related to aviation) and "navigation" (navigation).

Case and dial

　The 41mm polished stainless steel case sits comfortably under the wrist and shirt cuff, with the onion-shaped crown and its central chronograph pusher protruding at a unique angle. The white lacquered dial is framed by a railway-style minute scale, providing a clean backdrop for the large, vintage-style Arabic numerals. The Arabic numerals are honey-toned to create a patina, the same color as the pair of central blued steel skeleton hands. Each subdial is surrounded by a distinctive railway track. The 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock is positioned to almost completely hide the 12 o'clock index, and like the dial's hour markers, the numerals are displayed in a vintage-style font. The small seconds subdial is positioned at 6 o'clock. Like the 12 o'clock subdial, it also hides the "6" and features a slim Arabic numeral index and a date display with a different typeface inside.

　The hands of the two subdials are also different: the chronograph counter has a curved diamond shape, while the small seconds has a baton shape. The various numerals, as well as the words "LONGINES" and "AUTOMATIC," also feature a variety of typefaces on the dial. In my opinion, this contributes to both the overall harmony of the design and legibility.

　The off-center time display is a distinctive feature. As mentioned above, this design was born out of a practical necessity in 1935: the prototype watch had to be legible while holding the steering wheel. Today, it's also known as a "driving watch," as it can be read while holding the steering wheel of a car. However, for those who spend a lot of time walking and regularly check the time, it takes some getting used to. The clockwise tilt of the dial (and, of course, the movement itself) can easily lead to confusion at first glance, such as misreading 10:10 as 11:15. Wearing this watch encourages you to look at the numbers the hands are pointing to rather than checking their position, or to bend your arm at a 45-degree angle when checking the time. The upside is that even if you misread the time, you won't end up late because you're reading an earlier time than the actual time.

Operability

　So far, we've looked at the retro aspects of this watch, but we mustn't forget its functionality. It's worth noting that Longines' craftsmen have managed to avoid the common pitfalls of chronograph monopushers through their robust design. A monopusher built into the crown can cause the chronograph mechanism to malfunction when the crown is pushed back into the case after setting the time. However, because a certain amount of pressure is required to reset the chronograph mechanism to zero, the simple act of pushing the crown in to wind it poses no problem. There's also an unexpected benefit to operating the crown. The crown only has one pull-out position for setting the time; there's no position for fast-forwarding the date. However, there's a pusher located near the 7 o'clock position on the case—near 8 o'clock on a typical watch—that allows the date to be fast-forwarded using a pen, small screwdriver, or other pointed tool.

　These functions are powered by the caliber L788.2, based on the reliable ETA Valgrange A08.L11. The chronograph mechanism employs a column wheel with a vertical clutch and swing pinion. It features a single-wind automatic movement with a power reserve of approximately 54 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vph. The off-center movement, mounted at the same angle as the dial displays, gives the dial its distinctive tilt. The watch is adorned with luxury-grade decoration, though its solid stainless steel caseback obscures its appeal. The caseback features a depiction of an airplane surrounded by a sunburst pattern, reinforcing the watch's pilot's watch aesthetic, with the Longines logo on the wings. While some may lament the lack of visibility of the movement through the caseback, it clearly has historical significance.

strap

　A simple, plain calf leather strap seems appropriate for a pilot's watch given its historical accuracy. However, the brown alligator strap paired with this watch is comfortable and easily coordinates with formal attire. The stitching is contrasting, just like on pilot's watches of the time. If the case had been, say, 50mm with a brushed finish rather than the 42mm polished case, a more suitable strap might have been found, but the alligator strap is a perfect choice overall. By the way, did we mention the reasonable price? The Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935, Longines' tribute to the history of pilot's watches, is priced at just 412,000 yen (excluding tax).