The Longines 13ZN - Introduced in 1936, the Longines 13ZN is widely regarded as one of the finest chronograph movements of the 20th century. Developed entirely in-house, the 13ZN was one of the first chronograph calibers to feature a flyback function, allowing the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push — a breakthrough for pilots and timing professionals.
The movement itself is celebrated for its smooth column wheel operation, elegant finishing, and robust architecture. It was produced in limited numbers throughout the late 1930s and 1940s, often housed in oversized steel or gold cases ranging from 34mm to 40mm, with various dial configurations, including two-register and three-register layouts.
What sets the 13ZN apart is not just its technical sophistication, but also its design purity and rarity. Many examples feature beautiful sector or gilt dials, blued hands, and vintage military or civilian provenance.
Today, surviving 13ZN chronographs are highly sought after by collectors, often commanding five-figure prices at auction. It remains a shining example of Longines’ pre-war watchmaking prowess, representing a golden era when the brand rivaled Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin in technical innovation.
