Why This Watch Matters

One of the funkiest chronograph hands from the vintage watch world, this Longines Nonius will time within a 10th of a second.

The Full Story

If you haven't seen the Longines Nonius Chronograph before, then you're probably wondering exactly what you are looking at. With a uniquely curved chronograph seconds hand enabling the timing of events to within 1/10th of a second, it's one of the more interesting vintage chronographs one will encounter anywhere.

The Longines Nonius takes advantage of the smooth sweep of a chronograph hand doesn't jump in one-second increments. The curved extension of the hand features the numerals zero through nine, with hash marks that extend from each numeral to the seconds chapter of the watch's dial. When you stop the chronograph, only one of these moving markers will line up exactly with a line on the seconds chapter. If it's zero, then you've timed the event exactly to the second, but if one of the other numerals lines up flush – say, the numeral five – then you've timed it to the half second. Plus, it is fitted with the iconic manually would Valjoux caliber 72, just like the early Rolex Daytona models.

The Nonius gets its name from the Portuguese mathematician Pedro Nunes (Nonius is the Latinized version of his name), who is credited with an eponymous 16th century device and system for taking more precise measurements on instruments with circular scales.

We love this example's bright orange accents and crisp, unpolished case. We decided to pair this watch with our HODINKEE Sedona Strap in a neutral so the attention would stay on the funky seconds hand.

The Fine Print

What We Love And What You Should Know

Things We Love:

- Nonius system of precise timing
- Bright and funky orange chronograph seconds hand
- Unpolished case
- Venerable Valjoux 72 inside

Things To Know:

- Scratches on case

This Nonius is in overall excellent condition. The case is strong with some scratches and the finish on the case is still present. The case appears to be unpolished. The edges are sharp and the writing, including the case number, on the caseback is clearly visible.

The dial is clean with some patina and few light marks in the hour register. The hands and hour markers are in good condition with light patina.

The dial, case, and crown are signed by Longines. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.