13ZN Chronographs Inquiries and Information.

gemstar · Dec 19, 2017

Seiji
If subdials on a vintage 1960 and earlier Longines watch are completely flat, it is not in original condition. Skimming a dial to remove the original surface and print was a common method to prepare a dial for reprinting.

Oh sort of like watching out for raised engravings such as dollar bills?
Thank you.

Seiji · Dec 19, 2017

gemstar
Oh sort of like watching out for raised engravings such as dollar bills?
Thank you.

I have no idea what you said.

gemstar · Dec 19, 2017

Seiji
I have no idea what you said.

I meant like raised font and detailed ? Sorry still learning. I'm sure there are many traits.As paper conservation.There are always tell tale signs to look out for. Found a link
http://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9886009961/m/7091027491

Seiji · Dec 19, 2017

I am the wrong person to advise about dials.

But if a metal dial that should look like this

Looks flat like these below, it has to be a poor redial of a metal dial. Enamel is different story.

gemstar · Dec 19, 2017

Seiji
I am the wrong person to advise about dials.

But if a metal dial that should look like this

Looks flat like these below, it has to be a poor redial of a metal dial. Enamel is different story.

Thanks buddy.Much appreciated. Yes I was referring to the spirals in the first example.Sort of like raised engravings on a printed currency..A fake would be a print and flat.

Seiji · Dec 19, 2017

gemstar
Thanks buddy.Much appreciated. Yes I was referring to the spirals in the first example.Sort of like raised engravings on a printed currency..A fake would be a print and flat.

Generally correct for vintage metal dials. Genuine Enamel won’t have concentric circles.

Below vintage redials are as common as dirt. Seen so often on ebay you might think they are all originally made this way.

Bad redial example.

dragoman · Dec 23, 2017

DirtyDozen12
One of the worst redials that I have ever seen.

That's just because you still haven't meet Ugly Kid Joe, my recently acquired 13zn:

The funny thing is that its service story is fully documented in its case back (it must be a report of watchmaking in my city), and my watchmaker had a great time checking the signatures of his old masters...

He was telling me that he had worked for two of them when he chuckled and told me "This one sure was the one who did the deed..." (we had been laughing before about the dial)...

I still don't know if I'll try to solve that sorry mess somehow or if I'll leave like that and use it as beater, as I actually never expected to own classic Longines chrono.

And my feelings about the guy "who did the deed" are dual; one one hand, whithout his deed, I would have never own that watch, but on the other, watching those index going into the subdials...

minutenrohr · Dec 23, 2017

That´s my spare parts watch. Nice dial, can´t explain why the dial foot is copper colored:

Seiji · Dec 23, 2017

Wow, no attempt what so ever.

Gabe · Dec 28, 2017

Guys what do you think about this?
Longines 13ZN 1940s
Refinished dial, but good looking steel case, matching serial number on case and movement.

minutenrohr · Dec 28, 2017

...badly redialed!

Seiji · Dec 28, 2017

You mean this copy of a 5966 30CH with a fake dial labled a 13zn? With a fake caseback? So model is from wrong period as when Longines still stamped serial numbers in casebacks? Drop kick it into the trash.

I have pair of authentic 5966.

minutenrohr · Dec 28, 2017

The case looks a bit like a 30CH type and I never saw a late 13ZN steelcase matching with the movement number. Usually Longines did that with golden cases. Otherwise it looks pretty sharp...?

minutenrohr · Dec 28, 2017

correct, regarding the "EFCo" (the wings of the hourglass) the caseback looks very dubious.

Seiji · Dec 28, 2017

minutenrohr
The case looks a bit like a 30CH type and I never saw a late 13ZN steelcase matching with the movement number. Usually Longines did that with golden cases. Otherwise it looks pretty sharp...?

Wrong typeface fonts for serial numbers. Not Longines typeface for 13zn of 1930s

Seiji · Dec 28, 2017

Look at the lugs. The mid case is fake too. Authentic case is not one piece! The authentic case has lugs welded to it. This fake has them molded as part of mid case.

Seiji · Dec 28, 2017

The movement has the 30ch bridge replaced. Completely fake watch.

minutenrohr · Dec 28, 2017

Sorry, that´s impossible. It is a late (ca. 1945) 13ZN movement. Ugly but not faked.

Seiji · Dec 28, 2017

Ok, but that is not a Longines made case or dial.

minutenrohr · Dec 28, 2017

Probably it isn´t.