Longines 13ZN Ref. 23485

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One of the last "regular" 13ZN (7,37) showing a non-flyback movement (and a nice red dial foot) - just for entertainmaent:
IMG_5933_zpsebiap6ts.jpg IMG_5932_zpsap8rytrf.jpg IMG_5931_zpshz57knd5.jpg IMG_5930_zpszbvd6krg.jpg IMG_5929_zpsiayb887n.jpg IMG_5927_zpsvsouodei.jpg IMG_5928_zpsiwejqk16.jpg 13zn%20hinten_zpsh4stfb0z.jpg
 
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Lovely! I have not seen many from that period with any marking on the outside of the case back.
 
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Thank you. I believe, from 1944 it´s almost common, but only the waterproof cases. F.i. 23485, 23020, 21521, 23432 + 23086. Earlier waterproof models sometimes, sometimes not. I looked for that in Goldbergers Longines book.
 
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A lovely "doppia linguetta". I am curious as to why Longines went with this snap-on caseback design when they had already done the tre and sei tacche.
 
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I would be pleased, if it had a tre tacche. Perhaps it was cheaper to produce a press on?
 
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Yes, I think that cost was certainly a factor. I also wonder why this design was not used on more watches. Did it ever appear on non-chronograph models? Also, are there any gaskets? It seems as though the protruding "ring" on the caseback simply mates with the groove in the periphery of the main case.
 
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I don´t know non-chronos with that double tongue. My watch has no gasket because the watchmaker threw it in the garbadge can when he serviced it. Others have one (never saw a tin gasket, originally it seems to be a fawn colored kind of rubber) and it lies in the groove you mentioned.
 
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Correct - it´s lead not tin. Tin becomes "powder" below zero degrees. I forgot about that...
I don´t know when Longines began to use modern materials for their gaskets.
I wish they had not. I think lead is better concerning the disposal of humidity (?).
Probably there are fawn AND grey gaskets.
Edited:
 
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Hey guys, I promised a guy from the German Uhrforum to show you his watches, another similar example and ask some questions for him 😁 I really dont like to be a gravedigger, but this 8 years old post, looks to be the best place 😁

Ok, lets start with the watch, that started the discussion in the German Forum:




The owner of the watch asked Longines for the authenticity and they answered the watch has a dial swap. The story could end here, but another guy (the one I was in contact with) chimed in, who bought two other "Doppia Linguetta" 40 (!) years ago from a guy who bought them himself in the US. Both have the same dial as the first watch:



So according to my own rule, if you find three similar watches they should be most likely legit, shouldnt they?
His theory is, that maybe an airline used and modified them (Longines also answered him regarding his watches that they were sold in the US and the dial is swapped).

Also interesting are the numbers on the caseback, that are relatively close together. So kind of an marking,...of an airline, military, any other user? Maybe some of you guys know more and could help here.

Thanks in advance,

Nico
 
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All these three watches are different ref numbers IMO The bottom one looks like a
5415 but I have never seen that order number before, interesting.
 
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Thanks for sharing these watches, @JimJupiter

As @Radiumpassion stated, these three 13ZN examples are not entirely comparable. The first example appears to be reference 4813, whereas the second two look like reference 5415. Also, Longines' statement that the dial(s) has been replaced is likely based on a note in their records about an attribute of the original dial (e.g., silver dial with tachymeter scale). It seems possible that their records do not perfectly correspond to reality, but unlikely in the vast majority of cases.

I am intrigued by the numbers on the outside of the case-backs.
 
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I am intrigued by the numbers on the outside of the case-backs
Me too. They must be some kind on inventory number
 
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Fortunately its not the watch from the guy who ask me to show them here 😉