1930s Longines rare "Stop-second Minutes-recorder" with Two-tone tachymetre dial in Staybrite

Manufactured in the late 1930s, this Longines “Stop-Seconds Minute Recorder” is powered by the renowned Cal. 12.68Z and features a two-tone tachymeter dial. Unlike the standard Stop-Seconds model equipped with a 60-second counter, this watch is fitted with Cal. 12.68Z, which adds a 60-minute counter. By setting the hour and minute hands precisely to 12 o’clock and activating the chronograph, it is possible to measure elapsed time for up to 12 hours. In addition to the Stop-Seconds function, which stops the seconds hand when the button is pressed lightly, it also features a simple flyback function whereby the chronograph resets when the button is pressed more deeply. This is a remarkable example of Longines’ distinctive ingenuity during an era when manufacturers were experimenting with various approaches to chronograph design. The mechanical character unique to the four-hand Minute Recorder layout, combined with the substantial and beautifully shaped case, gives this watch an exceptional vintage appeal. This is a particularly rare Minute Recorder model among Longines Stop-Seconds watches.