Longines

Li Quartz (Lithium) No. 20526337 LONGINES Quartz watch in gold metal and steel that belonged to General de Gaulle

Barrel case, gilded metal bezel, snap-on caseback marked "Lithium" and numbered "20526337". Painted dial with Roman numerals, central railway minute track, central second hand and date window, signed with the words "Li Quartz". Quartz movement (plan for a complete overhaul). H.: 37 mm W.: 33 mm Provenance: - Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) - Then Admiral Philippe de Gaulle (1921-2024) - Then descendants Comment: The first quartz watches at Longines marked an important turning point in the history of the brand and watchmaking in general. Longines, a renowned Swiss watchmaker founded in 1832, has distinguished itself by its pioneering role in the adoption and development of quartz technology, particularly in the second half of the 20th century. Like many Swiss brands, Longines entered the quartz race during the 1960s, a period when the watchmaking world was in upheaval due to technological advances. In 1969, the quartz movement was first introduced on a large scale by Seiko with the Astron, but Longines and other Swiss brands quickly followed. Longines has continued to innovate in the field of quartz, producing ever thinner and more efficient watches, as evidenced by our example whose numbering corresponds to the year 1969. Today, Longines continues to produce quartz watches alongside its mechanical models, combining watchmaking tradition with modern technology. The brand's quartz models remain highly prized for their reliability and careful aesthetics.