Fine Swiss stainless steel antimagnetic precision watch Circa 1940

Stainless steel watch from the Royal Canadian Air Force
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A rare and unusual Swiss Staybrite stainless steel open faced center seconds antimagnetic keyless precision watch with chronograph and 24 hour power reserve made for the Royal Canadian Air Force by Longines Watch Co, circa 1940. Retailed by Hughes Owens Co. Ltd. in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Accompanied by the original numbered fitted box signed Hughes Owens Co. Ltd. Ottawa Ontario. The polished case with an inner antimagnetic cover. Matte silver dial with inner 24 hour graduation, outer minute divisions with Arabic five minute numerals, power reserve indication below 12 o’clock and blued steel spade hands. Movement with Geneva striping decoration,
21 jewels, a gold straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperature and five positions, self compensating Breguet balance spring, combination cam and swan neck micrometre regulator. Dial, case and movement signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Longines Watch Co Swiss
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G.C.T. watches were used for navigational purposes on military aeroplanes. Typically ordered from American watchmakers such as Hamilton, Elgin and Waltham by the Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. Army Corps. With increased demand due to World War II, Swiss companies like Longines and Agassiz supplied similar precision timepieces. The watches were normally fitted with black dials for readability. Those with a silver dial are rather unusual. The movement’s eccentric regulator allows for extremely accurate timing.