180 YEARS OF
180 YEARS OF
180 YEARS OF
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A nyone who is interested in collecting Longines watches<br />
should take these guidelines to heart. ey address the<br />
most desirable chronographs, navigational watches and<br />
elegant three-hand watches of this important brand and<br />
will help ensure that fans of historical timepieces do not<br />
overlook important pieces – and this in turn will help<br />
Chronographs<br />
give their collections a representative overview of wristwatch<br />
production at Longines.<br />
CHRONOGRAPHS<br />
Any ne Longines collection begins with a model containing<br />
the Caliber 13.33Z. is single-pusher chronograph<br />
was built between 1913 and 1936 and is usually<br />
found with a 14- or 18-karat gold or silver<br />
case with a hinged cover. Steel versions are<br />
much rarer. Gold watches from the 1920s<br />
and 1930s (that is, not the earliest models)<br />
currently go for around 6000 euros at auction,<br />
while silver watches can be had for<br />
around 4000 euros. At the time of their production<br />
the case and movement numbers<br />
were identical and care should be taken at the<br />
time of purchase for verication. (Unfortunately,<br />
matching numbers were no longer used at<br />
later dates.) Special attention should also be paid to the<br />
hinge on the back cover. Any damage will need to be repaired<br />
by a goldsmith and this can become quite expensive.<br />
Another important feature is an original, unrestored<br />
dial with correct fonts. Enamel dials should never<br />
have breaks, hairline cracks, or chips along the edge.<br />
e next acquisition for any chronograph fan should<br />
be a watch with the Caliber 13ZN. is movement has a<br />
y-back function, column-wheel, screw balance and<br />
hairspring with overcoil, and was built from 1936 to<br />
1947. It is one of the most famous chronograph calibers<br />
in watch history. Even passionate collectors will nd it<br />
dicult to have just one. ere are still some gorgeous<br />
steel models with two- and three-tone dials at prices between<br />
5000 and 8000 euros, and also with enamel dials. A<br />
gold version was also made in a waterproof case with a<br />
threaded caseback that can cost up to 20,000 euros. More<br />
dicult to nd are the models beginning in 1942 with a<br />
central minute counter. A steel watch of this type in new,<br />
pristine condition will cost anywhere from 30,000 to<br />
40,000 euros at auction.<br />
with the<br />
Caliber 13.33Z: a rare<br />
steel model from 1925<br />
(above) and a gold<br />
version from the 1930s<br />
The last chronograph<br />
movement built by<br />
Longines: The Caliber<br />
30CH was cased in<br />
steel and gold watches<br />
from 1947 onwards.<br />
Photos: Antiquorum<br />
Valuable piece of<br />
watch history: steel<br />
chronograph from<br />
the 1940s with the<br />
Caliber 13ZN<br />
LONGINES SPECIAL WatchTime | 135