Hello guys! Sorry for the crappy photos, they are sellers pics. Saw this guy right after it was listed on Ebay and hit BIN. Hopefully, I've gotten a ~40's Chrono Stop in decent condition but there is no knowing until it gets in next week.

Relatively unfamiliar with the watch/movement. If anybody has one, I'd love to see some pics!

Thanks,

Andrew

 

Looks correct. Unfortunately, these were often made in gold-filled cases, which degrades the overall quality. But the movement is superb, so let's hope that yours is well-preserved.

Surely you are capable of doing a simple google search to learn more...

 

Well, I appreciate you giving me the benefit of the doubt regarding Google @Tony C. My intention was partially an invitation for members that do have an example to show them off, as stated in the second sentence.

Let me be more specific, however, as that may prove useful. The 13ZN and 30CH are widely lauded as (arguably) the best chronograph calibers Longines produced. The 12.86z, in contrast, seems to me like a slight overlooked cousin. I'm curious as to why it doesn't receive more attention. I guess some of it might have to do with the fact that the 12.86z is a modification of the existing 12.86 caliber?

Also, interesting that you consider a gold filled case as detrimental to overall quality. I guess in comparison to solid gold or stainless, although I'd prefer gold filled to gold capped.

 

It's a bit of an apples and oranges comparison, as the stop-second movement is more simple than the chronograph movements.

Also, the 21j. caliber that powered Longines' Olympic rattrapante stop-watches were certainly equal to in many respects, and in some ways superior to the 30CH and 13ZN. They were not worn on the wrist, of course, but nevertheless...

 

The 12.68Z is a great time-only movement but the stop-seconds version is far less complex than either the 30CH or 13ZN. These were designed from the ground up to be fly-back chronographs. One neat detail is that the stop-seconds versions of the 12.68Z always had Breguet overcoils like the 30CH and 13ZN.

 

Thanks @Tony C. and @DirtyDozen12! Appreciate your insights. Would love a 30CH someday, but that is well outside of my budget range at the moment. Quite pleased I found the 12.86z at the price I did. Hopefully it's in good condition.

 

That's a lovely example and you got it at a very reasonable price. In hand, it is a very colorful and well balanced chronograph with a lot of action going on in the dial (gold, blue, red...). It was cased in the US (in a locally made case to avoid import duties) and is the most common version of the 12.68Z stop second. Some 12.68Z stop second in steel are works of art.

 

I saw the one Hodinkee had for sale. Stunning lugs.

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1947-longines-one-button-fly-back?variant=19148667524

 

Yes, and there are 4 of them; that makes $7250/lug! Jokes aside, that's a stunning example.

 

Haha, I know. The price is enough to make you choke.

 

Nice catch! My 37.5mm 12.68Z on the left

 

What a trio @Mark020!