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

J_pilot · Dec 11, 2024

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 · Dec 11, 2024

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 · Dec 12, 2024

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?

Ora ricordo. L'ho presa da qui, con modifiche.
Now I remembered . I took the picture from here, with modifications.

J_pilot · Dec 12, 2024

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

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!

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

J_pilot

LesXL

nicola1960

J_pilot

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