Longines 3501 cal.13.33 1935

Dear fellow collectors,

it is my pleasure to share with you my latest catch. It is not easy to dig down below the surface of the very little known and publicly accessibl facts and learn more about hard to get early "calatrava" Longines equipped with the excellent and robust caliber 13.33.

Based on all accessible information, it deals with the rare watch. Made in the very small time window, from 1934-late 1930s, where only very early specimen were equipped with the 13.33 caliber, as a predecessor for rather common 12.68 / 13.68 respectively.

This particular piece is, based on my limited knowledge, very special. All original, honest watch retailed by the renown retailer in Prague ( Kohn ) in 1935. Watch was bought from a local collector, who got it from an elderly gentleman in Czechia many years ago.

Reminiscence of early AP VZ13 is very strong, also the large flat coin shaped bezel, quality of craftsmanship revokes the iconic PP ref.96 calatrava.

The watch has 33mm case in diameter, snap caseback, reportedly replacement crown and new crystal.

Very similar piece was also listed in the book Longines watches from John Goldberger.

I would like to know approximate market value and if possible some historical reference of the realized sales. I suppose it is very valuable and rare piece, since I was able to track 4-5 pieces of this reference among them only three equipped with the 13.33 caliber and mine example has the lowest serial number.

Thank you for all comments and feedback.

Kind regards and nice weekend!
Luke

This is the only known ( correct me if I am wrong ) specimen of this particular reference, that hit the major auction house. Not sold, yet estimate CHF12,000 - 18,000 seems reasonable to me.

It is also worth mentioning, that it was powered by 12.68Z caliber. Since this caliber was embedded to the Longines watches from 1928 it is a bit mystery for me, why there were some examples equipped with the 13.33 mechanical movement ( experimental series?).

https://www.phillips.com/detail/longines/CH080219/196

This is the list of all 3501 I managed to look up during my online research.

The best example - identical configuration as mine:
Other piece with the same setup ( plus two other examples, one with the sector faded dial and one Frankenstein ) are mentioned in this post: https://omegaforums.net/threads/longines-13-33.148996/

And that's all, folks! May you have any other add ons, please share them with me/us.

Thanks in advance

Carpe diem
Luke

Well, well well!

Another specimen surfaced, coming from Italy. Configuration of the dial is unique, so is the preservation state of this particular watch from 1936.

So based on my humble research, this is the 6th known example.

There are definately few more..


This one looks like the same as your configuration (@cesar.zeit on IG)



This one sold by @matt.watches on IG.

Beautiful watches, enjoy yours 😀

Your contribution is much appreciated. Thank you and have a nice sunday

Luke

Here is one tucked into a tre tacche case. Obvious dial-swap IMHO

https://ebay.us/m/LuSBUU
Sold for around 2590 Euros

Thank you!

I decided to catch them all ( avaiable) of course.

Dating is incorrect. This watch was made most probably in 1935. Configuration of the hands, namely the hour hand is little bit awkward, but complementary to the rest.

Seller purchased the watch in Prague. It is stamped "Potuček" on the case back, that is characteristic bohemian ( of the czech origin ) surname. Also there is hand graved most probably inventory number on the inner side of the case back too.

It is my assumption, but based on all presented facts, it was ordered and sold to Kohn, the same retailer that commissioned also my 13.33Z variant of this particular preference.

Noteworthy, it really was used as a scientific watch, so another challenge - mystery to be resolved - is ahead of me 😀

Longines ref. 3501 rarely come up for sale. This example here is the second specimen with radium / luminous indexes, and second known black dialed.

https://andreafoffi.com/products/longines-ref-3501

very interesting! Thank you!

Nice dig! Thanks.
IMO the hour hand is replaced.

Can you please refer to the other known black dial? I’m aware of one non-luminous double signed. Will try to find a picture of it

Your contribution is much appreciated, yonlo!