In this instance, we can immediately note the difference in proportions, but not in style. Instead, it adapts the historic concepts to modern tastes but plays on different levels of adaptations, from a simple resizing to more in-depth evolutions, like here. Longines can be very accurate in its Heritage collection however, it rarely reproduces entirely the watches. This 2020 model is clearly playing on the evocation of the past, and shouldn’t be considered a 1-to-1 re-edition of the original model. The 2020 edition of the Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 is, on the other hand, far more practical than the black version of 2012, and will also be more easily accepted thanks to its black dial. The numerals, the hands and their colour gave the watch a rather bold presence.
![vintage rado watch crooked dial vintage rado watch crooked dial](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/b5/f7/c3b5f7df9e6fe7054073a25459770990.jpg)
In the same vein, the 2016 white dial model is quite charming and exotic, yet its style is not what you could call consensual. Certainly, it was the most authentic of the re-editions, yet not one you could simply strap on the wrist to go to the office. Indeed, the 2012 model was a beast on the wrist, which was barely wearable due to its 49mm case. Modern re-editions of the Longines Avigation Type A-7 have always been very cool yet unusual watches – and we’re not talking about the signature tilted dial here. The 2020 Longines Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 For 2020, this model is back in its classic black version, yet with daily-practicality in mind. In 2016, the brand also revived the white dial model with a 41mm case, as seen here. In 2012 Longines resuscitated this unique design with the first Longines A-7 Avigation, a monopusher chronograph with a shifted black dial and a 49mm steel case: a collector’s piece with no concession to ergonomics. The 2016 Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 Chronograph, white dial and 41mm case. Different dials were available, such as this black dial with Arabic numerals or white porcelain dials with Gothic numerals. These watches were massive with their 51mm diameter chrome-plated metal (military examples) or stainless steel cases (civilian models, rare). The watch has a specific “tilted” dial, with the display rotated by 40 degrees – this odd angle was designed to make consulting the time easier without the pilot having to take his hands off the stick. The Longines A-7 “Avigation” was built around a mono-pusher chronograph movement produced by Longines and Meylan during the 1930s and is an immediately recognisable watch. The Longines A-7 “Avigation” was designed for aircraft navigation, “Aerial Navigation”, from which derives the conjunction Avigation.” According to Phillips: “ The US Army Air Corps (1926-1941), predecessor of the US Army Air Forces (1941-1947), and later on renamed US Air Force (1947 – present days) adopted Type designations for many of their issued equipment watches such as the “Type A” specification. Another important watch in this field was based on a military specification by the US Army. Regarding pilot’s watches, Longines partnered with Charles Lindbergh as the official timekeeper of his historic flight across the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. While primarily designed for sports – Longines began timing horse races and other equestrian events in the late 19th century – and timing events (also used in production and medicine), the chronograph quickly found its way on the wrist of military forces, in particular pilots who rapidly found this complication useful for in-flight calculations (such as average speed, consumption, ascent speeds…) An oversized, circa 1935, Longines A7 “Avigation” watch, chrome-plated case, 51mm diameter, issued to the US Army.
![vintage rado watch crooked dial vintage rado watch crooked dial](https://i.etsystatic.com/27745171/r/il/a98216/3483038992/il_340x270.3483038992_gqxp.jpg)
![vintage rado watch crooked dial vintage rado watch crooked dial](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/194047763800_/Vintage-Rado-Purple-Horse-Gents-Gold-Plated-Automatic.jpg)
![vintage rado watch crooked dial vintage rado watch crooked dial](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/334226175558_/Vintage-Rado-100m-44MM-Quartz-Movement-Gold-Plated.jpg)
This is a feature that is also found on the Avigation watch, with a co-axial pusher integrated into the crown. The brand quickly specialised in manufacturing chronographs, such as the 1878 Calibre 20H, its first-ever stopwatch movement – which was a mono-pusher chronograph for that matter, since the two-pusher chronograph was only patented by Breitling in 1934. There are countless watches to be found in the brand’s museum with solid historical credentials. Longines was founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier and is one of the Swiss brands with the richest history. The era between the two wars remains a slightly overlooked theme for watch brands, unless your name is Longines and you have some absolutely stunning pieces to display in your museum, including the Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 and its modern re-editions… which includes the all-new for 2020 model that we’ll be looking closely today. Yet, when referring to military watches, we are often referring to WWII-inspired models or watches issued later. Think bomber jackets or, for today’s matter, military-inspired watches. It is surprising how, in these times of peace in the Western world, pieces of military and pilot’s equipment have become so fashionable.