According to Christie's , in spring of 1936 both Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin were "approached by a private to develop, produce and supply a very small series of hour angle wristwatches for testing". These five watches are never presented togeth...
A pilot actually needed a watch on the plane, rather than on the ground 😁 Thanks a lot for the explanation - the only question remaining what the significance of the split seconds complication was in this context? 🤷🏻♂️
Maybe it was a way to make it more easy to measure the extra degrees to fly before a change of direction (and latitude). Each "second"=0,25°, so starting from zero, it's very easy to count 1 or 2 more degrees (4 or 8 "seconds")... Best, Emmanuel
It was obvious to me from the start that these were professional use watches and somehow worked for aviators but at this size they make even a Panerai look small. I kind of understand how they work in the cockpit of a plane but wouldn't be able to make th...