13ZN Chronographs Inquiries and Information.

DirtyDozen12 · Feb 27, 2016

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?

minutenrohr · Feb 27, 2016

I think I´d choose the 13ZN12, although it has no flyback (which is denied by the Hodinkees...)😁.

rgds - h.u.

DirtyDozen12 · Feb 27, 2016

A sensible choice, irrespective of "the Hodinkees" (I like this phrase) 👍.

BartH · Mar 10, 2016

What do the brethren say about this supposedly 1940's 13zn. Italian recase at the very least?

minutenrohr · Mar 10, 2016

Hi,

the case does not belong to the watch. The dial is a redone for 30CH.

rgds - h.u.

BartH · Mar 10, 2016

Yeah, you'd say refinished? Not a poor job then.

minutenrohr · Mar 10, 2016

...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.

aldo · Mar 10, 2016

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.

BartH · Apr 13, 2016

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?

LouS · Apr 13, 2016

BartH
but what's with the strangely alligned bolts (?) on the dial edges?

It's a sandwich dial. The pins hold the outer dial in place

minutenrohr · Apr 13, 2016

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.

aldo · Apr 13, 2016

...redial....IMHO

minutenrohr · Apr 13, 2016

Yes, for sure.

DirtyDozen12 · May 16, 2016

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).

minutenrohr · May 16, 2016

13zn%20ST%2037mm%20WD%2010-2012%202%20copy_zpsjh5yxl5y.jpg

...the more I search...just made this for comparison, and now I see the same dissymmetry.
Very interesting!

rgds - h.u.

BartH · May 18, 2016

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.

Traveler · May 18, 2016

This one just got posted up in the Hodinkee shop

minutenrohr · May 18, 2016

...looks like it appeared on the "Hodinkee Photoshop"...

khmt2 · May 20, 2016

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...3009&sid=4cfa0719-5ac7-4b5e-864e-def30b154866

Sold for a bargain 5K! Anyone here was the successful bidder??

minutenrohr · May 21, 2016

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.