Community Stories

Longines 13ZN ref. 5415: three dial variants

DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,753
Likes
4,793
I was recently looking at examples of ref. 5415, and noticed that there is some variation in the 'basic' dials. By 'basic', I mean dials without radium or tachymeter/telemeter scales. This style of dial is common in ref. 5415.

The first major difference I noticed is the hour markers. The first two examples below have what I will call 'wide' numerals. The third example has 'narrow' numerals. This is particularly evident when viewing the zero of the "10" marker.

The second major difference is the outer scale. The first example has more rounded 3s and 5s, and 'larger' 4s. The second and third examples have 'flatter' 3s and 5s, and 'smaller' 4s.

So far, I have observed three distinct variants: (1) wide 10 marker with small 4s, (2) wide 10 marker with large 4s, and (3) narrow 10 marker with large 4s.

Type 1

Source: https://www.carsandwatches.com/watches/rare-longines-13zn-doppio-linguetta
upload_2023-4-30_11-59-48.png


Type 2

Source: https://curious-curio.jp/watch/36519
upload_2023-4-30_12-0-52.png


Type 3

Source: https://www.bukowskis.com/en/auctions/630/44-longines-flyback-chronograph
upload_2023-4-30_12-1-23.png
 
S.H.
Posts
1,548
Likes
3,703
in the first one some numerals bleed in the subdials (10 and 2 in particular). As it does not feels like a top quality dial like the other two, is it possibly an old redial?
 
Modest_Proposal
Posts
2,926
Likes
6,224
A few things I noticed:

The indices are cut cleanly off the subdial on one example and bleed over on another. (sorry, I see that S.H. noticed this, too).

Also, the subdial ink seems thicker on the bottom (especially at 40 and 20).

Lastly, and this is a somewhat dubious claim - but the subdial of the top one seems to have more empty space on the edge.
.
Screen Shot 2023-04-30 at 2.06.38 PM.png Screen Shot 2023-04-30 at 2.06.29 PM.png
Edited:
 
khmt2
Posts
1,632
Likes
14,545
Adding mine. Type 2 and I believe the bleeding into the sub dial isn't indicative of a redial, given the history.

20220823_191124_1.jpg
Edited:
 
DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,753
Likes
4,793
@S.H., @Modest_Proposal, and @khmt2 Thanks for your input.

At present, I do not associate the overlapping printing with a refinish on these dials. I have seen it on a few examples, including watches that were in excellent overall condition. As well, the rest of the printing (e.g. signature font, outer scale font, hour numerals) appeared to match original dials with no overlap.

@Modest_Proposal I agree, there seems to be variation in both line thickness and space around the sub-dial printing. However, I think that this variation is within the expected tolerances for these dials. I will mention that the Curious Curio dial (Type 2) has a white dial foot, which I find intriguing.
 
Modest_Proposal
Posts
2,926
Likes
6,224
DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
@S.H., @Modest_Proposal, and @khmt2 Thanks for your input.

At present, I do not associate the overlapping printing with a refinish on these dials. I have seen it on a few examples, including watches that were in excellent overall condition. As well, the rest of the printing (e.g. signature font, outer scale font, hour numerals) appeared to match original dials with no overlap.

@Modest_Proposal I agree, there seems to be variation in both line thickness and space around the sub-dial printing. However, I think that this variation is within the expected tolerances for these dials. I will mention that the Curious Curio dial (Type 2) has a white dial foot, which I find intriguing.

To clarify, I don't think these differences suggest a redial.
 
S.H.
Posts
1,548
Likes
3,703
Interesting! We are so used to sterile flawless modern dials...

I must keep in mind that one of the worst misaligned minute track l have ever seen was on an original 1950s Rolex step dial, so why not some overlap on a Longines dial indeed.
 
DirtyDozen12
Posts
2,753
Likes
4,793
S.H. S.H.
I must keep in mind that one of the worst misaligned minute track l have ever seen was on an original 1950s Rolex step dial, so why not some overlap on a Longines dial indeed.
I would say that Longines dials from the 1940s are among the most consistent and well-executed. Longines dials with this sort of overlap are in the minority.
 
wsoto002
Posts
14
Likes
32
khmt2 khmt2
Adding mine. Type 2 and I believe the bleeding into the sub dial isn't indicative of a redial, given the history.

20220823_191124_1.jpg

Absolute stunner.
 
JohnLy
Posts
422
Likes
716
khmt2 khmt2
Adding mine. Type 2 and I believe the bleeding into the sub dial isn't indicative of a redial, given the history.

20220823_191124_1.jpg
Doesn't get much better than that....
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

minutenrohr

Longines 13ZN Ref. 23485

minutenrohr Longines Watches
JimJupiter
JimJupiter
Posts
15
Views
5K