Some extra pics of not one, but 2 Longines 13 ZN. ( Take your pills! ).

May 12, 2012,19:36 PM
 

When it comes to Vintage Chronographs, I don't fear to say that the Longines 13 ZN is the King, the Milestone, and in some configurations, a grail.

You saw some quick pictures of the two beauties we saw at the Paris GTG, here are some other photos.

Sensible souls, stay away!

1/ The Cream Dial:







2/ The Black Dial:













To say all, among all the 13 ZNs I saw, these 2 are my favourites.

1/ Their cosmetic is breathtaking: Nice case, good size ( 37 mm ), great bezel ( which makes me think about the PP 5070 one, in a certain way ), superb dials.

2/ The Mushroom pushers are the cherry on the cake.

3/ What to say about the movement, one of the most exciting, if not THE most exciting of this era ( these two 13 ZNs were made in the mid thirties ).



4 / The only small thing is that the bars are fixed, so it will limit the choice in terms of straps, but a good Nato would perfectl do the job, here.

5/ For the price of a Vintage PP Chrono, you can afford these 2 + a Weems + a Greenlander + a Diver + your cigarettes, newspapers and a good bottle of what you want.

Isn't Life wonderful?

Best.

Nicolas.

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Comments: view entire thread

 

I'd take one of these...

 
 By: dxboon : May 12th, 2012-22:59
...over a Patek any day! The pushers are charming. One of the nice things about these watches is the generous size of the cases -- especially considering their year of manufacture. The cream dialed variant is amazing. Love, love, love! Cheers, Daos

I like the superimposed subdials

 
 By: docsnov : May 12th, 2012-23:49
on the cream colored dial along with the red telemetre track. Both watches are fantastic. Seeing Andrew's GP chrono and these two has reminded me how much I love vintage/vintage style chronographs. Thanks for the pictures. Stewart

Simple and sober is beautiful, or should I say Powerful!

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-00:17
The Champions League of Chronography. Best, Nicolas

OMG

 
 By: DonCorson : May 13th, 2012-00:02
I didn't take you seriously - no pills. Need cream to restore life! Don

Then you'll need a whole pack pof pills when I post a topic dedicated

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-00:18
To the several 13 ZN I saw, recently. Best, Nicolas

I took "my pills"

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : May 13th, 2012-01:13
Now I'll have these two and Weems and Greenlander and Diver as well as Gitanes, Talisker and Jutarnji Thank you Best my friend Looking forward your next Longines watches post and your GMT post and Pan Am post and ...what a series...what a series.... D

Well, first the Pussy Galore series, my friend.

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-01:18
Then, the Pan Am posts, as yes, there are two. Then we'll see, but the Longines 13 ZN may well be for June, yes. All the best, my good friend. Nicolas

La Creme de la Creme, for sure. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-02:32
No message body

Yes Nicolas, Life is wonderful! And these great chronographs...

 
 By: Subexplorer : May 13th, 2012-09:49
... easily confirm that. These little marvels make life more wonderful, with the enjoyment they produce in the wearer. The movement, is just a thing to marvel, even for a person like me, with little knowledge about watch mechanics, but with the sensibilit... 

Pues, Abel...

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-10:13
Wait to see what I have under the sleeve... A While collection of 13 ZN... When you compare these 13 ZN to modern Chronos, well, how to say it politely? The battle is not at the advantage of modern Chonos, even the prestigious ones, and you will get these... 

As Uncle Jake would say, "Delicious . . .

 
 By: Dr No : May 13th, 2012-13:01
. . . and nutritious!"

Very few vintage chronos rival either one of these.....

 
 By: Darren : May 13th, 2012-20:30
I've never ranked the older chronos, but if I did these would be on my "first hand". Both are magnificent, from the movement to the dial. Darren

Well, you have some Patek and Vacheron which come to mind.

 
 By: amanico : May 13th, 2012-21:59
But they used an outesourced movement, as many others, at this time, and they play on another ground, as they were more dressy, I think. But nicer? Best, Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-05-13 22:00:07

Wow, beautiful watches.

 
 By: VMM : May 14th, 2012-04:58
Really nice dials and movements. Nada que ver con los Longines de hoy en dia, a pity. Thxs. Vte

+1, my friend. Sadly.

 
 By: amanico : May 14th, 2012-05:00

the cream dial is just stunning Nicolas

 
 By: G99 : May 15th, 2012-04:43
i have no idea what colour it was when it was new, but it has patinated to perfection and the nato is a match made in heaven. are these both yours or ones i saw in Paris ? G

Just woke up again ...

 
 By: bimbeano : May 15th, 2012-09:43
... forgot to take my pills and fell in a deep coma because of the shock ... ... feeling better now .... just a bit I'm bedazzled my friend, even though i saw them in Paris a couple of weeks ago ... Bim

Please educate us ...

 
 By: nilomis : May 15th, 2012-12:16
Why the Longines 13ZN is considered a "cult" movement? Based on what I can see, it even does not have an Incabloc (shock absorber). Of course, the overall watch is extra cool with a design that is to die for. Cheers, Nilo

i am going to bed, more pills for me, please...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : May 21st, 2012-09:52
... wow recently you show us few top vintage chrono. you know these are within my radar now!!! stefan

Lovely Nico and the movement is simply great isn;t it

 
 By: ArthurSG : May 21st, 2012-18:16
I'm waiting for mine to arrive... I hope nothing has gone wrong. Will post when it does.

I am totally biased when it comes to the 13 ZN, and

 
 By: amanico : May 21st, 2012-22:22
Also to the 30 CH... But I think we have some objective reasons to love these movements, don't you think? I am eagerly waiting for your pictures, Arthur. Best, Nicolas

Hi nicholas, I accidentally fell...

 
 By: ngap2 : July 6th, 2013-02:04
Hi nicholas, I accidentally fell on your beautiful post while looking for mushroom pushers longines information. I have been bitten a few years back, and have been collecting 13zn while slowing down on other things... It has been very enjoyable, even thou...  

Of course I have access to them, but they belong to collectors, not sellers, most of the

 
 By: amanico : July 6th, 2013-02:42
Time. So, they were not for sale, at the moment I wrote this post, and I don't think they currently are. But I can understand your love and passion for them. I consider them as the finest Vintage Chronos. And am badly tryting to get one. ;) Best, Nicolas.... 

Thanks for your reply. I...

 
 By: ngap2 : July 6th, 2013-04:41
Thanks for your reply. I have assembled quite a few of them, and curious enough, I "cannot" re sell them. They re addictive like few other watches are. Do you have any? Best, nabil Ps. Easiest to email me at nabilgholam at gmail dot com.

For the moment I only have 4 Longines, and among them

 
 By: amanico : July 6th, 2013-06:08
Only one 30 CH, no 13 ZN. I've put in my list 8 other Longines: Another 30 CH, and 2 13 ZNs. I don't find curious that you cannot re sell any of them, they are the epitome of fine chronograhps, and when you have one, you fully know how Lucky you are to ow... 

Very nice and rare 13zn houre recorder

 
 By: Ubik : July 11th, 2013-07:24
Anymore pictures of this beauty?

Doxa had a similar vintage chrono, no? How does it compare?

 
 By: Epilogue : July 7th, 2013-13:14
Lovely watches and pictures! In the same genre, what do you think about the Longines Calatrava with second dial at 6 and a similar style bezel to the 13ZN? Thanks!

You cannot compare the epitome of Chronography with Doxa, my friend;

 
 By: amanico : July 7th, 2013-13:40
Even if Doxa is a respectable brand with some cool watches, they don't play in the same category than Longines, and especially the 13 ZN / 30 CH Chronographs. As for the Longines with the sub second at 6, which one, as there were several? Best, Nicolas

Dear Longines,

 
 By: fitz : July 9th, 2013-01:16
please please please expand your Legend collection, or at least make more modern tributes. P.S. without date functions.

Well, my wish list is much bigger than my Longines collection.

 
 By: amanico : July 9th, 2013-04:18
;) Still have to find 2 13 ZNs, 1 special 30 CH, 1 chronometer, One Military, a big and very special one, + a Majetek, +++... ;) Best, Nicolas PS: And NO DATE, of course! :)

black Longines for sale

 
 By: RDL : July 9th, 2013-06:45
Seems the black one (same watch from looks and number) is currently for sale. Edited as per forum rules: Please no links to external and commercial websites.

A lot of technology

 
 By: Ubik : July 11th, 2013-07:27
in those mushrooms. (credit - ) These are some of Longines earliest attempts at creating waterproof cases - great pictures Nico. ...  

And very desirable, too! I already saw these pictures.

 
 By: amanico : July 11th, 2013-11:49
Thanks for your input, my friend. Best, Nicolas