Longines 13ZN Chronograph (1930s-1940s) Value and Price Guide

In 1936, Longines introduced a chronograph movement that would rewrite watchmaking history. The Caliber 13ZN was the first chronograph movement with a widely produced flyback function, allowing the pilot or driver wearing it to stop, reset, and restart the chronograph with a single press of the button instead of three separate operations.

The 13ZN was produced for roughly a decade, from 1936 to about 1947, when it was replaced by the Caliber 30CH. Fewer than a few thousand were made. Today, surviving examples with flyback functionality are extraordinarily rare. According to collector George Pakkos, fewer than 10 flyback-equipped 13ZN watches have been documented. At auction, the finest examples sell for $100,000 to $300,000 or more.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: Longines Caliber 13ZN Chronograph

• Years: 1936-1947

• Category: Watches

• Condition Range:

  • Steel case, standard pushers, fair condition: $10,000 - $20,000
  • Steel case, good condition, original dial: $20,000 - $50,000
  • Gold case or rare dial configuration: $50,000 - $150,000
  • Flyback function, excellent condition: $100,000 - $300,000+

• Record Sale: Exceptional gold flyback examples have exceeded $300,000 at Phillips and Christie's

• Rarity: Very Rare (standard pushers); Extremely Rare (flyback/mushroom pushers)

The Story

Longines had already established itself as a chronograph innovator. In 1913, the company produced one of the earliest wristwatch chronographs using the Caliber 13.33Z movement. That movement served the brand well for over two decades, but by the mid-1930s, aviation and motorsport demanded something better.

Pilots needed to time multiple legs of a flight in rapid succession. With a standard chronograph, timing a second interval required three button presses: stop, reset, start. In a cockpit at altitude, that sequence cost precious seconds and attention. The flyback function solved this problem: a single press reset the chronograph hand to zero and immediately restarted it.

The 13ZN was a large movement by the standards of its time, measuring 34mm in diameter. It was robust, accurate, and built to withstand the vibrations of aircraft and racing cars. The movement featured a column wheel switching mechanism, considered superior to the cam-actuated systems used by many competitors.

The most distinctive versions of the 13ZN feature what collectors call "mushroom pushers" (pulsanti ad ombrello in Italian). These are large, rounded pushers that sit flush with the case band, giving the watch a clean, streamlined profile. They are functionally excellent for gloved hands in a cockpit. Watches with mushroom pushers are significantly rarer and more valuable than those with standard round pushers.

Production ended around 1947 when Longines transitioned to the Caliber 30CH, a smaller and more refined movement. The 13ZN had served its purpose. But over the following decades, collectors began to recognize the movement's historical significance and mechanical quality. By the 2000s, the 13ZN had become one of the most sought-after vintage chronograph movements in the world.

How to Identify It

Movement identification:

• Open the case back (or have a watchmaker do it). The movement will be engraved "13ZN" along with a serial number.

• 34mm diameter movement

• Column wheel chronograph mechanism (visible through the back)

• Two sub-dials on the face: running seconds and 30-minute register

Key visual markers on the watch:

• Case diameter typically 35-38mm (considered large for the era)

• Two pushers flanking the crown (standard round or mushroom style)

• Dial configurations vary: silver/white dials, black dials, and multi-tone "panda" or "reverse panda" layouts exist

• Arabic numeral or applied index hour markers

• Tachymeter or telemeter scales on some dials

Flyback vs. non-flyback:

• The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted simultaneously

• Not all 13ZN movements have flyback capability. Standard models require the traditional stop-reset-start sequence.

• Flyback examples are identifiable by testing the function (press the reset pusher while the chronograph is running; on a flyback, the hand snaps to zero and immediately restarts)

Value by Condition

Fair condition, steel case ($10,000 - $20,000): Watch runs but may need service. Case shows significant wear. Dial may have been refinished. Crystal replaced. These represent the entry point for 13ZN collecting. A steel-cased example on Chrono24 listed at $20,999 in this condition range.

Good condition, original dial ($20,000 - $50,000): Watch runs accurately. Original dial with natural aging (patina). Case shows wear consistent with age but retains its original shape. Pushers and crown are original or period-correct. Crystal may be replacement.

Gold case or exceptional dial ($50,000 - $150,000): 18K gold cases are significantly rarer than steel. Original multi-tone dials (contrasting sub-dial colors) command strong premiums. Longines offered its own collector's corner listing of an 18K gold flyback 13ZN from 1940 that sold through their program.

Flyback with mushroom pushers ($100,000 - $300,000+): The pinnacle of 13ZN collecting. Original mushroom pushers, flyback function confirmed, original dial, complete case. These watches attract bidding from the world's most serious vintage chronograph collectors. Heritage models at Phillips and Christie's in this category have exceeded $300,000.

Authentication and Fakes

The 13ZN is a high-value target for franken-watches (cobbled-together watches using parts from different eras or models).

Common issues:

• Replaced dials: The most frequent modification. Refinished dials destroy value. Look for consistent aging across all dial elements. UV light can reveal repainting.

• Non-original cases: The 13ZN movement was sometimes recased after its original case was damaged. Only original, matching cases command top prices. The case serial should correspond to Longines production records.

• Added flyback: Some collectors have attempted to modify standard 13ZN movements to include flyback functionality. Expert watchmakers can identify post-factory modifications.

• Replaced pushers: Standard round pushers are sometimes replaced with reproduction mushroom pushers. Original mushroom pushers have specific dimensional and finishing characteristics.

Professional authentication is essential. Before purchasing or selling a 13ZN, have it examined by a specialist in vintage Longines chronographs. Longines maintains an archive in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, that can provide extract from their production records confirming the watch's original specifications.

Archive extract cost: Approximately CHF 100-200 through Longines directly.

Where to Sell

Best venues:

• Phillips, Christie's, or Sotheby's: For exceptional examples worth $50,000+. These auction houses have dedicated watch departments with specialists in vintage Longines. Buyer's premium is typically 20-26%. Seller's commission is negotiable, often 5-10%.

• Specialized vintage watch dealers: Companies like A Collected Man, Eric Wind Vintage, and Davide Parmegiani specialize in high-end vintage chronographs and have established collector networks.

• Chrono24: The largest online marketplace for watches. Suitable for all price ranges. Commission is 6.5% for sellers.

• Hodinkee Shop: Curated marketplace that attracts knowledgeable buyers. Consignment terms vary.

Cost considerations:

• Professional servicing before sale: $500 - $2,000 (use a specialist in vintage chronograph movements)

• Longines archive extract: CHF 100-200

• Insurance for shipping: 1-2% of declared value

• Auction house photography and cataloging: typically included in seller fees

Not sure about the value of yours? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for an estimate in seconds.

Explore More

Browse all Watches →

Related Items