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"Paul Newman" Longines Chronograph (Ref. 8226-2), 1968 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

"Paul Newman" Longines Chronograph (Ref. 8226-2), 1968

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Longines (maker)
Date
1968
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 42 mm
Stock no.
LONGDM56
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (LONGDM56)
Catalogue title (original)
1968 "Paul Newman" Longines Chronograph (Ref. 8226-2) (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number LONGDM56), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated 1968. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 42 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Rolex wasn’t the only client of the Singer dial factory in the late 1960s and '70s. Being the leader in the market, Singer often copied their designs and the typical Paul Newman style subdials can be seen on brands outside of Rolex. The Longines 8226-2 is an example of the crossover design featuring Singer dials with art deco numerals and lollipop hash marks with the bulb dials. This model has the legendary Valjoux 72 inside and has a very unique tonneau style case. Additionally, the watch retains the original ladder style Gay Freres bracelet, stamped Longines, and original end links. SPECS Stock # 68LONG8226-2 Brand Longines Style Chronograph Model 8226-2 Serial 38XXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Black "Paul Newman" Millimeters 42mm Bracelet Longines CASE & BRACELET The case of this Longines 8226-2 has been previously polished yet remains wonderful vintage condition the original crown is signed Longines. The watch will come supplied on the original Gay Freres bracelet, stamped Longines, and original end links showing slight stretch normal from light use. DIAL & HANDS The stunning and eye-catching 3 color dial remains in a wonderful and original condition. The Paul Newman style subdials remain bright and free of any degradation. The original orange sweep second hand provides a striking contrast against the 3 color dial. The lume on the dial remains intact showing a slight patina. The hands are original and the original tritium lume remains intact like the plots on the dial. bot the hands and the lume plots when viewed under U.V. light respond correctly and show no lume loss. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is running at spec and is in perfect working condition.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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