Large Swiss stainless steel 1/10th second timer Circa 1939

1/10th Second timer with split seconds
–
A fine and large Swiss staybrite stainless steel open faced keyless 1/10th second timer with split-seconds feature and instantaneous 30-minute recorder in 30-second increments, circa 1939. Olympic Skiing Timer. Rhodium-plated movement, Geneva Striping decoration, 21 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, mono-metallic balance with screws beating at 36,000 VPH, self-compensating Breguet balance spring with swan neck micrometric regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Hinged stainless steel cuvette. White enamel dial with outer black Arabic numerals 1-30, inner red Arabic numerals from 31-60, 1/10th second track, subsidiary dial for the 30-minute register in 30-second increments, original blued steel hands. Polished case, button at 1 o’clock for the stop/start of the chronograph, button at 11 for the split seconds. Accompanied by the original fitted box.
–
Diameter: 66 mm
–
Signed: Longines
–
Timing the World Downhill Skiing Championships in Chamonix marked Longines’ involvement with the sport. In 1939, they introduced the split-seconds chronograph with 1/5th seconds and a 30-minute totalizer. That same year they introduced this watch, the famed 1/10th second ‘Olympic Timer’, available with or without split-seconds hand, but using a very rare movement for the period that beats at 36,000 VPH. This was again updated for the upcoming Winter Olympics for which Longines had been appointed official timekeeper. However, due to the outbreak of World War II, the games were cancelled and these exceptional instruments were consigned to Longines’ St. Imier workshops.