Wristwatch, Hour Angle, Lindbergh, King Collection

FUNCTIONAL

A wristwatch with a stainless steel band. The watch face is white with Roman Numerals from I to XII in a circle around its surface. Below each of these numerals are the multiples of 15. A black hour, minute and second hand tell the time. A smaller darker circle is located inside of the Roman numerals. This smaller circle has multiples of 10 on its surface. The glass is flush with the metal frame. A ring around the glass as the numbers 1 to 15 in blue with the numbers 15 30 45 between each. One crown is located at three o'clock and a pin at 4. The pin is depressed opens the back of the watch, this back features a piece of glass that covers the working parts of the watch. The inside of this hinged section has an inscription that reads "Longines Hour Angle Watch Designed by Col. Charles. A Lindbergh Stainles Steel Water resistant Swiss Made 989.5215" The back of the watch features two wings around a box inside of a circle. The circle has the text "EFC LONGINES" engraved in it.

On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.