Well I would have to agree with your watchmaker(s). Most people seem to be more interested in the flyback function than the instantaneous minute recorder. I happen to feel that the flyback is not nearly as impressive. Many simple stopwatches have the same ability. If I forced you to choose your favorite Longines chronograph wristwatch movement, could you?
I think I´d choose the 13ZN12, although it has no flyback (which is denied by the Hodinkees...). rgds - h.u.
...that´s a matter of taste. I believe, if it takes 3 seconds to get the feeling called "it stinks", a refinishing can´t be so nice. To state somethig positive: it´s UNIQUE, because Longines Tachy-Dials (and some other factories) are showing the word "base" on the outer track. The subdials are very fanciful, the "Swiss Made" at that place too and - if the appearance isn´t deceiving - the printing is blueish, not black. Etc.etc.etc... regards - h.u.
It's an Italian case, look at BO (Bologna) on the maker stamp.Happened in the 60's , there were Longines and Omega watches imported from Swiss with steel cases, then recased in gold ones made in Italy. Agree with other opinions about the dial, too bright compared with movement and hands conditions, so redialled since it is not an original due to graphics.
This one is for sale in a local shop. It's a bit smallish with 35mm, but what's with the strangely alligned bolts (?) on the dial edges?
Correct - a sandwich dial with the unusual "very BIG Longines signature", unusual minute/second markers, unusual "wide-space design" around the printed area. I would not say "fake" but it´s surely UNIQUE. The hands could be original, but they don´t fit to the dial because the hour hand should point at the hour markers and the minute hand should not point at the telemeter area. Ergo: seems to be assembled by using parts from the spare parts box (in my opinion - I know, it´s boring...) rgds - h.u.
I think that the dial below is original but there are a couple of interesting things that I noticed. I am intrigued by the encroachment of the 4 into the chronograph minutes subdial. On many 13ZN dials, this is avoided. I imagine that a dial with encroachment would be easier to produce as the engraver would not have to account for the precise interruption of the numerals. After inspecting this 13ZN and a number of others, it seems that the 4th wheel arbor and the minute counter wheel arbor are not symmetrically located (with respect to the diameter).
...the more I search...just made this for comparison, and now I see the same dissymmetry. Very interesting! rgds - h.u.
Crikey, you're right. I'm sitting here in the office measuring dials on my ipad with a ruler. My colleague thinks I've lost my mind.
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...3009&sid=4cfa0719-5ac7-4b5e-864e-def30b154866 Sold for a bargain 5K! Anyone here was the successful bidder??
But, incl. buyers premium, it´s 6,5k. Perhaps a good price, but the watch is 36mm (not nearly 38 as the bigger ones) and golden cases are not as sought after as steel types. rgds - h.u.