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13ZN Chronographs Inquiries and Information.

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DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
After only viewing the image of the dial, I had not doubts that it was original. The white foot is intriguing but the obverse displays nothing that suggests restoration/alteration. "Fab. Suisse" matches with the French case and "M" on the movement, which can be seen on watches that were bound for France. What is odd is that the letter is "M" (metal) and not "O" (or = gold), as these letters refer to the case material. I wonder if the watch was originally cased in stainless steel.

So it seems that you were not wrong!! This is the message that I got from Longines just now:

After extensive researches and discussion with our chief watchmaker, we do think the serial number on both movement and inner part of the case back is 7'044'xxx

Please find here below the information contained in Longines' handwritten registers.

Originally, the serial number 7'044'xxx identifies a wrist-chronograph in stainless steel bearing the reference 5009. It is fitted with a Longines manually wound mechanical movement, caliber 13ZN and was invoiced on 15 June 1946 to Longines France.

It is then possible the case was changed for a gold one by our agent in France. We can see that the gold case was not made by Longines Switzerland.

We also confirm that as per our archives, the dial of the serial number 7'044'xxx must have the name Longines and Fab. Suisse on it and the movement has the letter M engraved on it.

We hope this information will be of help to you and remain at your entire disposal for any further information you may need.

Truly yours,

Jennifer Bochud
Brand Heritage

Now of course.....it's very pretty in gold and I wouldn't change it for the world, but would it have been even more "extra special" if had been left in its original factory dispatched steel?

and @jljl123 I'm still looking for a photo but of course typically my father took all the family photos, so less of him to work through. I have found one, but the watch is so small in picture that it could be anything!! Just a hint of gold.
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W
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here's an image of the dial that I rather liked....I took it with my iphone, after having fought with my 35mm Nikon/tripod/macro extension tubes and achieved nothing better

FsjpuiOl.jpg
 
DirtyDozen12
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@watchwatcher Thank you for following up with this intriguing response. Generally, collectors prefer watches that have not been re-cased. Locally-made cases are less desirable than Swiss ones, for the most part. And steel is usually more sought-after than gold. What is neat about this watch is the known history. The evidence seems to suggest that the watch was re-cased prior to being sold. In the past, I had wondered about this possibility but there was no way to confirm. I am still curious about the silver dial foot but that is another topic.
 
W
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DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
... I am still curious about the silver dial foot but that is another topic.

Could it be that in re-casing it before it was sold, they would have removed the dial and then reset it? I know nothing about watch movements so apologies if this makes no sense....just guessing!!
 
DirtyDozen12
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I am not certain that removing the dial would be necessary when re-casing. Still, if the dial was removed, I would not expect the color of the foot to be affected.
 
PHPHD
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DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
@watchwatcher Thank you for following up with this intriguing response. Generally, collectors prefer watches that have not been re-cased. Locally-made cases are less desirable than Swiss ones, for the most part. And steel is usually more sought-after than gold. What is neat about this watch is the known history. The evidence seems to suggest that the watch was re-cased prior to being sold. In the past, I had wondered about this possibility but there was no way to confirm. I am still curious about the silver dial foot but that is another topic.
I’ve spoken to Longines in the past about the recasing; they seem to suggest this was done because of sizeable tariffs put on gold imports into France during the 40s. As such, most of these watches were imported into France (from St. Imier) cased in steel, and subsequently recased locally.
 
minutenrohr
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I believe the dial belongs to a watch that has been exported to France. The LXW-movement (and rest of the watch?) has been exported to the US.
I don´t know, but it seems if dial and movement were not together when the watch was produced. Asking Longines would be useful.
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minutenrohr
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Correct. I didn´t notice that it´s the same watch from a different perspective. Pardon...
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W
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minutenrohr minutenrohr
Correct. I didn´t notice that it´s the same watch from a different perpective. Pardon...
No need to apologise!...Think this must be doing the rounds....shame...
 
minutenrohr
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I saw it in german Ebay. It endet at 4000 Euros. I don´t understand that auction...
Untitled-1 copy.JPG
 
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