Longines 13zn Reference 3901

mod221
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DirtyDozen12 DirtyDozen12
Though the dial (brass disc) may be original to the watch, it has been refinished at some point in its life. The quality of the refinish is relatively poor. This is evident when comparing the execution of the printing with the other examples shown in this thread. Further, the dial has a number of anomalous features such as the sub-dial designs and font of the hour markers.
you are correct-it was refinished....i am doing some research on dial variations of ref. 3091. I found one that was black, some that were done with color variations..etc...So i might send it back to Longines to have them redo the dial per original specs, but i wonder how good their quality of work is now vs 90 years ago...In not so distant future the refinished dial will become a vintage dial with patina anyway...Again, someone like you will be sitting around with a high powered loop analyzing the patina of the dial vs the patina of the rest of the case etc...Others will be more concerned about the functions of the watch and how well it runs...etc...
 
Knebo
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mod221 mod221
you are correct-it was refinished....i am doing some research on dial variations of ref. 3091. I found one that was black, some that were done with color variations..etc...So i might send it back to Longines to have them redo the dial per original specs, but i wonder how good their quality of work is now vs 90 years ago...In not so distant future the refinished dial will become a vintage dial with patina anyway...Again, someone like you will be sitting around with a high powered loop analyzing the patina of the dial vs the patina of the rest of the case etc...Others will be more concerned about the functions of the watch and how well it runs...etc...

I don't think it's worth spending an arm and a leg for a Longines in-house redial. A redial is a redial.
Just enjoy it.

A cool thing to do could be to open the case and take a high quality picture of the movement. Maybe by a professional photographer. Then make a 30x30cm print and put it up in a picture frame.
The movement is the real star here.
 
mod221
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they are $800 for a redial. Which is not bad -depending on how good it looks....Totally agree with you about the movement-it is a real beauty....
 
Knebo
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mod221 mod221
they are $800 for a redial. Which is not bad -depending on how good it looks....Totally agree with you about the movement-it is a real beauty....

Ok, that's less than I expected. Still a bunch of money. But maybe worth it... tough one.
 
mod221
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Knebo Knebo
Ok, that's less than I expected. Still a bunch of money. But maybe worth it... tough one.
i wish i could see one redone by them to see the quality...The movement service is 2k plus!
 
Knebo
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mod221 mod221
i wish i could see one redone by them to see the quality...The movement service is 2k plus!

That's an insane price for a movement service, even for such a special calibre. Was that a quote for your specific watch or a general estimate? If they have to re-make parts (because even they won't necessarily have them all in stock), it gets very expensive.
 
DirtyDozen12
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mod221 mod221
you are correct-it was refinished....i am doing some research on dial variations of ref. 3091. I found one that was black, some that were done with color variations..etc...So i might send it back to Longines to have them redo the dial per original specs, but i wonder how good their quality of work is now vs 90 years ago...In not so distant future the refinished dial will become a vintage dial with patina anyway...Again, someone like you will be sitting around with a high powered loop analyzing the patina of the dial vs the patina of the rest of the case etc...Others will be more concerned about the functions of the watch and how well it runs...etc...
Below is an example of a 13ZN dial that was reproduced by Longines. I say "reproduced", because this dial was made from scratch, with the original dial left intact. This watch was listed for sale on Chrono24 two years ago. I think that the quality of the work is quite good, but it is still distinguishable from an original dial.
chrono24 listing1.1.webp
 
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