While some of the dials for these watches contained colorful scales, the dial on this very early example is more utilitarian and uncluttered and goes along well with the watch's somewhat trench style design. It's easy to read large numerals and prominent red twelve give it a natural suitability for military uses, particularly important at the time this watch was produced.
It is is pleasing original condition down to the crown and hour and minute and small register hands with matching serial and case numbers. The only part that appears that it likely is a replacement is a the sweeping chrono hand.
The silver case has a beautiful authentic patina, which have left on. It could be removed if desired.
Accompanying it is a vintage Longines box. It is running very well, and the chronograph starts, stops, and resets crisply.
Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
If you're familiar with modern Longines, the Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph 180th Anniversary Limited Edition was specially designed to mark the brand’s 180th anniversary's and is closely based on the original 13.33 watches.
In my opinion the 13.33 is not yet fully appreciated and still a bit under priced, and I would not be surprised to see it continue to increase in value closer to that of the 13ZN.
Longines 13.33 chronograph:
During Longines' golden era from the 1910's to the 1940's, while the idea of flight grew from the margins into a practical and valuable endeavor, the company's wristwatches earned a reputation as the constant cockpit companions of pioneering aviators.
One of the significant characteristics of the chronograph models of these watches were that they featured an "in house" Longines movement fully designed and built by Longines. Very few of even the top chronograph watches use "in-house" produced caliber; iconic movements that power distinguished watches like the Rolex Daytona, Gallet Multichron 12, or even the exceedingly rare Patek Philippe 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph are not true "in-house' calibers which makes watches like vintage Longines chronographs even that much more noteworthy.
Partly because of the company's aviation niche and partly because of their involvement in sports and timing, the focus of development of the company's complicated watches pointed almost exclusively to chronographs. This specialized focus prompted their development of sophisticated, advanced, and beautiful chronograph movements beginning with their pocket watches and ending with their marvelous and historically important 13.33 caliber - the world's very first chronograph wristwatch.
While chronograph pocket watches were not uncommon at the time, the significance of having a chronograph that could be worn on the wrist and operated with only one hand cannot be overstated - and it naturally lent itself to aviation and military uses.
- Manufacturer: Longines
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Year made: c. 1914
- Serial no.: 2,976,645
- Model: 13.33 Chronograph
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Chronograph
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: Silver
- Case condition: Better than excellent. We have left on the beautiful authentic patina. Case springs no longer hold the case back open.
- Dimensions: 35mm wide (excluding crown), 42mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Dial: White porcelain with black minute numerals and minute track, original, just short of perfect mint with a very faint short hairline near 2 that requires very close observation - nearly magnification - to see
- Hands: Original hour, minute, and small register hands. Appear to have been re-blackened. Chronograph sweep hand likely a replacement.
- Band: Crocodile, fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with vintage Longines buckle
- Movement type: Signed Longines, caliber 13.33, 17 jewels, rhodium plated, crown wheel
- Width between lugs: 18mm
- Crystal type: Acrylic, excellent condition. Please inquire if you would like us to discuss a mineral crystal being installed.
- Working order: Running very strong and true.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Vintage Longines box (missing insert); PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
