1942 Longines 13ZN Chronograph ref. 4994 with its archive extract

Founded in 1832, Longines has always played a great role in the watchmaking industry for its watches and movements which, even today, are considered as some of the most reliable and precise. Their vintage wristwatches continue to grow in desirability amongst collectors. Some of the most sought-after models include such oversized chronographs as the Lindbergh Hour Angle designed by Charles Lindbergh, Chronostop, Tre Tacche, A-7, Tasti a Spillo, Conquest and Doppia Lanchetta.

As a purely innovative company, Longines launched the 13ZN chronograph movement in 1936, at the forefront of chronograph production, introducing the world’s first flyback function. The 13 ZN allows the wearer to reset the chronograph without having to stop it first, thus reducing the intervals between timing events. This function became a favorite of aviators, who used it to take quick readings of navigation.

This additional feature increased the case size of the early ZNs, making them quite large for the time (a man’s watch was often 30mm or less) and set the tone for pilot’s watches that tended towards larger cases. Extremely well finished from an aesthetic point of view, this watch is extremely rare and beautiful.

Extremely rare and beautiful, the present watch features a stunning 36mm case, and a beautiful 2-tones dial. This is a pure watchmaking gem, built around the mythical 13zn movement, for many the best chronograph movement ever produced.

It was produced and invoiced in 1942, for Ostersetzer, which was at that time Longines’ agent for Italy.