Collecting watches, for me, is as much about the story/history behind the watch as it is about the actual watch itself.. I was fortunate to pick up a pair of watches thanks to a friend, Hans Wang. The watches could not be more different in style and design but did have one thing in common. That would be the inscription on the case back. One watch is a Longines 13ZN and the other is a rectangular Grana. Both have the inscription: B.R. Nilson….Assume this is the owner of the Jewelers shop? 24-12-85….Date it was gifted Steinkjer…..Name of city/jewelers shop? The story I was told is the importer/Authorized Distributor for Longines (and assume Grana) in Norway was a gentleman named A. Haussman. He passed away in the early 80’s and the person who took it over also bought all his leftover inventory. Apparently he had all these NOS watches sitting in inventory for at least 35 years. Back then the 13ZN’s had not been as desired as they are now and this new importer/authorized distributor gave away a 13ZN and a Grana from his inventory, engraved them, and gave a set to each of the jewelers he supplied watches to, this was in 1985, 35 years after the last 13ZN’s were last made. I hope I got this right but I would be interested if anyone else has heard this story and can add to it or substantiate it. I find it very interesting.
Steinkjer in a small town. Can't see that there ever been a jeweller/watchmaker by the name of Nilssen there. There is a Nilsen jeweller but he started in 1990. The Grana must have been very old i 1985 as far as I know they became Certina in 1955. 24 th of December is when Norwegians celebrate yule and give each other presents btw
Some new photos of the 13zn above. Thanks @JohnLy! The handset is a dead ringer for those on my early 30ch! Closeup of the interesting caseback that gave rise to its "doppio linguetta" nick by the Italian collectors.
Did not see this thread before now Yes, the story about theese NOS Norwegian 5415's are true. If I may ask, is it close to this in the serial number?
So now that you have that 13zn with the same hands, I guess you won't be needing that 30ch anymore, right...?
Thanks for the confirmation! Wow, yours still has the original hang tags! What's the inscription on the back of yours? Mine is about 20k away in terms of serial.
Unfortunately the watch pictured is not mine. I was on the "Rolex path" when it was available for a very reasonable price Caseback batch number 23485 45 No inscription visible in the ad, it also came with a Grana. But couple of years later I got my revenge
