13ZN Chronographs Inquiries and Information.

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Dial looks original but is a relatively uncommon variant. This is the earliest example that I have seen with this type of pulsation dial (sub-dials with 3 numbers). Crown is correct. Chronograph second hand should have a circular counterpoise. Sub-dial hands correspond to another example that I have seen, but this example was from 1946 (6.98 million serial). Assuming dial, movement, and case were born together, the price is not unreasonable. I would strongly suggest contacting Longines to get an extract, prior to proceeding.
 
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Dial looks original but is a relatively uncommon variant. This is the earliest example that I have seen with this type of pulsation dial (sub-dials with 3 numbers). Crown is correct. Chronograph second hand should have a circular counterpoise. Sub-dial hands correspond to another example that I have seen, but this example was from 1946 (6.98 million serial). Assuming dial, movement, and case were born together, the price is not unreasonable. I would strongly suggest contacting Longines to get an extract, prior to proceeding.
Thank you - the watch is offered together with Longines extract information. They did confirm the numbers, watch was sold in 1939
 
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Thank you - the watch is offered together with Longines extract information. They did confirm the numbers, watch was sold in 1939

The extract will not mention the dial.

I think what he means by "contact Longines" is to both get the extract information (which you have) and also to see if they have dial information. Many times (but not always) they will say something like "this serial corresponds to a silver colored dial with pulsations scale and Arabic numberals" or something like that. Before buying a 13Zn recently, they told me the serial refers to copper dial with tachy, for example, which matched the watch I was looking at.

It's worth asking this before proceeding, in my view.
 
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I have a question - I've seen some information here on case sizing....what sizes were offered, what were most/least common and were there different sizes offered according to types/models or years made?
 
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I have a question - I've seen some information here on case sizing....what sizes were offered, what were most/least common and were there different sizes offered according to types/models or years made?
Cases range from around 34 mm to around 40 mm. Cases between 34 mm and 37 mm are most common. I would say that a higher proportion of later 13ZNs have larger cases.
 
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Cases range from around 34 mm to around 40 mm. Cases between 34 mm and 37 mm are most common. I would say that a higher proportion of later 13ZNs have larger cases.
Thanks DD12. So when you say "higher proportion...have larger cases"..…are you meaning 40mm?
 
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Thanks DD12. So when you say "higher proportion...have larger cases"..…are you meaning 40mm?

The largest cases, like 40mm, are uncommon from any era and HIGHLY sought after. Anything 36mm or over commands a decent premium, and prices go up from there. I have heard people say that the price double every 2mm. I'm not sure the doubling rate is quite so dramatic, but you get the idea.
 
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The largest cases, like 40mm, are uncommon from any era and HIGHLY sought after. Anything 36mm or over commands a decent premium, and prices go up from there. I have heard people say that the price double every 2mm. I'm not sure the doubling rate is quite so dramatic, but you get the idea.
Intersting to read - I dont remember to have seen a "real" 40mm 13zn - but of course the well known 13zn12 Sommatore has 39,5mm. I did see 40mm with a Longines Valjoux 22GH. They majority of 13zn have 35 or 37,5mm up to my mind. An interesting sample not a true comparison is the price difference between an "ordinary" vtg. Patek chrono Ref 130 with 33,5mm and the big model Ref. 530 with 36,5mm - see attached pictures:

 
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I dont remember to have seen a "real" 40mm 13zn - but of course the well known 13zn12 Sommatore has 39,5mm.
Agreed.
So when you say "higher proportion...have larger cases"..…are you meaning 40mm?
As others have said, 40 mm (really 39.5 mm) is likely limited to a single reference, 5699. When I referred to a higher proportion of larger cases, I was thinking of cases that are around 37.5 mm and above (e.g. ref. 5041, 5415, 5699).
 
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Agreed.

As others have said, 40 mm (really 39.5 mm) is likely limited to a single reference, 5699. When I referred to a higher proportion of larger cases, I was thinking of cases that are around 37.5 mm and above (e.g. ref. 5041, 5415, 5699).

Forgive me for all the questions....so the 13zn-12 reference....they were all 40mm? Which model was the 5699?
 
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Forgive me for all the questions....so the 13zn-12 reference....they were all 40mm? Which model was the 5699?
No, not all 13ZNs with hour counters are 40 mm. Ref. 5699 is 39.5 mm and ref. 5161 is around 39 mm in gold and similar in steel.
 
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I just discovered this one offerd for 8,5k € Whats your opinion?


Is it just me, or do the hour and minute hands not seem proportionate? They are stylistically identical, but the hour hand seems too thin and short, or the minute hand seems too fat. Does anyone have an example of this handset elsewhere?
 
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Is it just me, or do the hour and minute hands not seem proportionate? They are stylistically identical, but the hour hand seems too thin and short, or the minute hand seems too fat. Does anyone have an example of this handset elsewhere?
Agreed. Judging by the first example that I posted above (which appears to have an entirely correct handset), the minute hand of the watch in question appears to be too wide.
 
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Agreed. Judging by the first example that I posted above (which appears to have an entirely correct handset), the minute hand of the watch in question appears to be too wide.

I agree.
 
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No, not all 13ZNs with hour counters are 40 mm. Ref. 5699 is 39.5 mm and ref. 5161 is around 39 mm in gold and similar in steel.
I can confirm that the 5161 is 39.25 not including the crown so 39.5 in total. I have a stainless steel one
 
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I can confirm that the 5161 is 39.25 not including the crown so 39.5 in total. I have a stainless steel one
Thanks for the confirmation.