This beautiful presentation watch from 1932 was offered as a gift to the President of Peru and is manufactured by Longines, a luxury Swiss watchmaker that has developed a reputation for manufacturing one of kind timepieces for heads of state.

Origins

Longines was established in 1832 at Saint-Imier by Auguste Agassiz. The watchmaker is distinctive for its winged hourglass insignia which it first registered around 1889, making it one of the world’s oldest trademarks. The watchmaking business in Switzerland is highly competitive and the company needed to distinguish itself early, which it did by developing pocket watches that were crown wound instead of key wound models, which were the standard at the time.

By 1867 the company initiated mass production through establishing their very first factory, at a location called Long Meadows (Les Longines) which became the basis for the company name. Jacques David played a key role in this process, as he was an experienced engineer who became the company’s Technical Director.

This allowed the firm to develop its first watch movement in house, which was called the 20A. It used an anchor based escapement which was typically utilized inside a pendulum clock which could be wound and then set through the pendent crown. The design was so successful that it received an award during the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1867. Around the same time, the watchmaking industry in the United States was taking off, prompting Francillon to send Jacques David on a trip to the U.S. were he attended the World’s Fair of 1876 to discover new strategies and techniques. Upon his return to Switzerland he wrote a report on the things he witnessed.

Design Characteristics

The Longines 1932 Presentation watch uses a three body case that is made with eighteen carat white gold. It also features sapphires which are French cut along the bow and rim, with a back that is plain. The interior case lid has an engraved description which says “Al Dr. Ernesto Delgado G. Su Amigo Agradecido.”

The dial is made with silver that has Arabic numerals applied with white gold. A white golden spear is also present, along with silver based minute dots, fleur de lis type hands and subsidiary seconds. Its movement consists of a nickel bridge that is 16 jewels with a lever escapement that is straight line. There are also prominent rubies along with a micro metric style regulator.

Features

This is a historical timepiece that was awarded to Luis Miguel Sanchez Cerro, who was the President of Peru between 1931 and 1933. He came to power via coupe d’etat and the watch was offered in appreciation for treatment received on behalf of Lima Doctor Ernesto Delgado. By 1933 President Cerro was assassinated. However, this watch is in outstanding condition with excellent movement and a natural patina can be seen on the dial in close proximity to the numerals.