The Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch

​

Edith learned instrument flying, and was very aware of Lt. Philip Weem's pioneering role in aviation navigation.  In 1937, she presented a young student pilot a copy of Weems' "Air Navigation" book (see Photo Album section).

​

In 1937, she was presented with this 10k gold Longines Weems second-setting watch, beautifully engraved with "M. Edith Lackner ~ Cincinnati ~ Ohio".  It is a small watch -- just 27mm across without the dual crowns.  The watch dial features gold baton hands, a sweeping second hand, and a black "railroad track" on the outer edge. The movable bezel is numbered from 0 - 60, and has a serrated coin-edge.  The outer edge of the back is engraved "Invented by Lt. Com PVH Weems U.S.N ~ Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch".

 

The watch has a high grade Longines caliber 10L manual wind movement with direct center seconds and breguet over-coil hairspring.  It  is signed Longines Watch Co. Swiss, 17 Jewels. 

 

Probably the most eye-catching feature of the Weems watches is their distinctive two winding crowns. The lower crown, positioned alongside the 3 o’clock numeral, winds the watch and sets the correct time. The upper crown is a locking device, and when loosened, the bezel is free to rotate in either direction. When the seconds scale has been aligned to that of a correct radio transmission time source, the crown is screwed down and the bezel is then locked in place and cannot move. 

​