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L2 Longitude

Paying homage to the hydroplane record (1933)

(50 builds)

Our 44mm Longitude Marine Series watch acknowledges the achievement of Hubert Scott-Paines’ record breaking Miss Britain III hydroplane boat, and powered by a beautiful ETA 2824 automatic movement, there is no doubt that it will keep impeccable time.

Its classic black enamelled dial with contrasting white indexed Roman numerals evoke the halcyon days of great British world record achievement and the polished diamond cut hands are true to the elegant clean lines of Scott-Paines’ hydroplane.

L2’s beautifully smooth polished case and DSL lugs effortlessly sweep into the black custom ZW aerospace grade rubber strap, with bespoke stainless steel pin buckle, but what really sets this watch apart is the polished and deep engraved half exhibition globe watch back. The movement is displayed under a sapphire crystal window with the engraving denoting Hubert Scott-Paines’ 1933 100mph record-breaking run on Southampton water, over 80 years ago.

We also handcraft our own leather straps in-house, If you would like to order an additional custom strap to go with you L2 please see our straps page

Delivery 2 weeks – Click here for info on purchasing outside the UK

£2,750.00 Inc. VAT
£2,291.67 Exc. VAT
L2 watch close up
L2 Longitude watch Zero West

Design Attributes

  • Latitude and Longitude reference Greenwich where Miss Britian III is now exhibited
  • Dial design follows our L1 Longitude watch with period hands
  • Half exhibition watch back display with record event text engraving

Case

  • 44mm diameter 316L stainless steel billet machined & polished case
  • Match machined & polished 316L stainless steel DSL lugs
  • Polished and engraved 316L stainless steel back with complex engraving and exhibition sapphire crystal window

Main Crown

  • Screw lock & sprung deep straight knurled & polished 316L stainless steel with triple seal technology

Crystals

  • Custom double curved domed sapphire glass with blue AR coating on the internal surface

Movement

  • ETA 2824
  • 28,800vph
  • 25 jewels
  • Self-winding ball bearing rotor
  • Date function
  • Power reserve ~38 hours
  • Water resistance: 10ATM (100m) 100% tested

Dial

  • Black enamel over brass substrate with over printed white numerals

Hands

  • Polished steel with inset SuperLuminova X1 luminous pigment
  • Polished steel diamond cut sweep hand

Dimensions

  • 44mm diameter
  • 14.1mm thick
  • 22mm lug width
  • 49.6mm lug to lug pin spacing

Strap

  • 22/20mm Zero West custom Military and aerospace grade cross-linked fluoroelastomer rubber. 1 fixed and 1 sliding keeper
  • Reverse sculptured relief
  • Matt finish
  • Black PVD stainless steel buckle with engraved ZW logo
L2 technical drawing
L2 Longitude watch on the wrist with white shirt
L2 watch with black leather strap on map
Back of L2 watch
L2 watch with black strap on map
Illustration of hydroplane

BRITISH ENGINEERING

Hubert Scott-Paine, Miss Britain III, Hydroplane record

Hubert Scott-Paine was a British designer, engineer, businessman and successful powerboat racer who epitomised the qualities of a great entrepreneur. Born in Shoreham-by-Sea in 1891, Scott-Paine would go on to forge an illustrious career which would see him mastermind the creation of the Supermarine AviationCompany as well as the first cross-Channel flying-boat service, the British Power Boat Company and Imperial Airways. He was a thrill seeker and with his Supermarine aircraft company, won the coveted 1922Schneider Seaplane Trophy.

 Not satisfied with sitting back on the Schneider Trophy success, Scott-Paine turned his attention to his love of the water by designing a groundbreaking hydroplane boat. The project was cloaked in secrecy at his Hythe based British Power Boat Company and within just ten weeks, the iconic world record breaking single engined craft named Miss Britain III was launched.

Miss Britain III hydroplane record, black and white illustration

The 1933 single engined hydroplane was designed by Scott-Paine and Fred Cooper to challenge for the International Harmsworth Trophy. It was a revolutionary design with aluminium reinforced wooden stringers and a highly polished Alclad pure aluminium skin and because of its groundbreaking geometry and lightweight materials, it weighed in at just 1.5 tons. Powered by a 1350 horsepower Napier Lion engine, and with a specially designed propeller, Miss Britain III was able to travel in excess of 100mph.

Miss Britain III hydroplane record, Southampton water, black and white photograph

In September 1933 Scott-Paine piloted Miss Britain IIIin the Harmsworth Trophy challenge. He was narrowly beaten in a thrilling contest by Miss America X, a 38ft four engined, 7,800 horsepower colossus of a boat. The racing was close and the losing margin less than 1.5mph, but despite his defeat, Scott-Paine was lauded a British hero in what was described by the press as a “David vs Goliath” contest.

 Just two months later on 16th November 1933 on Southampton Water, Scott-Paine set a new world water speed record in Miss Britain III, being the first single engined speedboat to exceed 100mph. A record that remarkably stood until the 1980’s.

Hydroplane racing with spray from water behind

TIME: 16/11/1933 – PLACE: 50.845°N 1.328°W