1918 Longines Tiffany & Co. Caliber 13.33 Mens World War I Military Chronograph
By Longines
Located in Suwanee, GA
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1918 Longines for Tiffany & Co. Caliber 13.33 Mens Single Button World War I Military Chronograph Watch - Sterling Silver
World's First Chronograph Wristwatch - A True Legend - Original - 1 Year Warranty
Today's showcases this very collectable and rare caliber 13.33 late World War I era chronograph. First developed in 1913, like many chronograph pocket watches, the 13.33 relies on a single pusher to start, start and reset the chronograph.
Invoiced by Longines on October 19th, 1918 to the A. Wittnauer Company, it was retailed through Tiffany & Co. significantly adding to its desirability.
While some of the dials for these watches contained colorful scales, the so-called "military style" dial on this very early example is much more utilitarian and uncluttered and goes along well with the watch's trench style design. It's easy to read large numerals and luminous cathedral hands gave it a natural suitability for military uses, particularly important at the time this watch was produced.
It is in pleasing original condition down to the all of the register hands and has matching serial and case numbers.
The dual signed sterling silver case - signed with the traditional Longines signature and also stamped Tiffany & Co., is in honest condition
Its clean dial is in excellent condition with one discretely touched up small spot by 11.
Two of our Master Watchmakers worked for the last year and half years restoring the movement of this special watch to breathe new life into the chronograph which works well (restoration value $2195). Photos of the beautifully finished movement available upon request (you should ask for one!)
It is keeping very accurate time.
For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a brand new Hirsch leather strap designed for fixed lugs use and a vintage Longines buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Also accompanying it are inner and outer vintage Longines boxes.
If you're familiar with modern Longines, the Longines Column-Wheel Single Push-Piece Chronograph 180th Anniversary Limited Edition was specially designed to mark the brand’s 180th anniversary's and is closely based on the original 13.33 watches.
In my opinion the 13.33 is not yet fully appreciated and still a bit under priced, and I would not be surprised to see it continue to increase in value closer to that of the 13ZN.
Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Longines 13.33 chronograph:
During Longines' golden era from the 1910's to the 1940's, while the idea of flight grew from the margins into a practical and valuable endeavor, the company's wristwatches earned a reputation as the constant cockpit companions of pioneering aviators.
One of the significant characteristics of the chronograph models of these watches were that they featured an "in house" Longines movement fully designed and built by Longines. Very few of even the top chronograph watches use "in-house" produced caliber; iconic movements that power distinguished watches like the Rolex Daytona, Gallet Multichron 12, or even the exceedingly rare Patek Philippe 1518...
Category
Vintage 1910s Swiss Wrist Watches
