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A very (very) early 13.33z - find me one older!

J_pilot
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Update:

Happy to share that Longines has confirmed this example’s eligibility for an extract (provided dial-side movement serial matches case number).

They also shared that the distinctive hinged lugs “correspond to the description given by their registers”, but obviously could not guarantee their originality without conducting the full in-person authentication process.

Notably, the archives also confirm the dial as having “Roman numerals, a red "XII", and the Longines signature.”

Exciting news for me on this Wednesday!
 
LesXL
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J_pilot J_pilot
Update:

Happy to share that Longines has confirmed this example’s eligibility for an extract (provided dial-side movement serial matches case number).

They also shared that the distinctive hinged lugs “correspond to the description given by their registers”, but obviously could not guarantee their originality without conducting the full in-person authentication process.

Notably, the archives also confirm the dial as having “Roman numerals, a red "XII", and the Longines signature.”

Exciting news for me on this Wednesday!
Very nice! Excited for you too 😀
 
nicola1960
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J_pilot J_pilot
Thank you!! Also, I shared this post on another active forum, Orologi & Passione, where it has generated some interesting discussion on the evolution of the 13.33z movement architecture, for those interested:

https://orologi.forumfree.it/?t=75987664&st=30#lastpost

A user there, nicola1960, shared the attached image from April 1913. He does not recall where he first came across it, but it seems plausible to me that it is from the original patent, which neither he nor I can find. Has anyone ever come across it?

IMG_2305.webp
Ora ricordo. L'ho presa da qui, con modifiche.
Now I remembered . I took the picture from here, with modifications.
Libro Longines.webp
 
J_pilot
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nicola1960 nicola1960
Ora ricordo. L'ho presa da qui, con modifiche.
Now I remembered . I took the picture from here, with modifications.
Libro Longines.webp

You are the best Nic! I have a buddy with this book, and was able to get the original color image as well as a photograph of what I’m assuming is an unfinished early 13.33z ebauche. I can’t imagine it was ever sold as-is without finishing, and there appears to be a slide on the case it is housed in, which is very atypical. That said, it also has the “mystery component” exactly as shown in the Apr. 1913 drawing, and not “hollowed out” as on my example (which I presume was done during fine-finishing. I also translated the corresponding text of the 13.33z section but it offered no new insights on the movement, or the origins of the included drawing and photo.

Great lead!
IMG_2363.webp IMG_6859.webp
 
J_pilot
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A positive update for 2025: Several weeks back, I had a close friend hand deliver the watch to Longines in Switzerland for a full service and COA (with careful instructions to avoid any polishing/refinishing).

Today I head back from the Heritage Group that, having disassembled and inspected the watch, they can confirm the movement serial matches the case, and also that they recognize the case as being unaltered. Very exciting news for me, naturally, given the watch’s distinctions from other known examples.

-Juergen
 
tigertom
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Great news Jürgen! 👏 Did they give you any information about the expected time they need for servicing the watch?

Have my ref. 6922 with them since February, also for full service and COA. Authenticity already confirmed, but e.t,a, August 25! 😱 😂
 
J_pilot
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tigertom tigertom
Great news Jürgen! 👏 Did they give you any information about the expected time they need for servicing the watch?

Have my ref. 6922 with them since February, also for full service and COA. Authenticity already confirmed, but e.t,a, August 25! 😱 😂

No word yet, but I’m also in no rush! I sent it in with my other keeper 13.33z, so I’m not sure if one will get priority, or both will be returned together. For now, I’m quite happy with the statement on originality!
 
gilb12
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Amazing news Jürgen. You have an Astonishing watch. Orologi & Passioni italian forum Say hello!

😊😊😊
 
J_pilot
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gilb12 gilb12
Amazing news Jürgen. You have an Astonishing watch. Orologi & Passioni italian forum Say hello!

😊😊😊

Thank you, and great to see you over on this forum! This watch is proving to be quite the crossover research exercise! 😊
 
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