64 Longines Very Unusual and Rare 13ZN Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 5699, Central Minute Register, Silver Telemetric and tachymetric Scales Dial

Estimate: € 45,000 –⁠ 90,000

Model: Chronograph
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 5699
Year: 1947
Case N°: 23086 (102)
Caliber: 13ZN
Movement type: Manual
Movement N°: 6940736
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 39.5 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: Certificate

Ideas are a bit like seeds thrown into the wind: some don’t make it, carried by the breeze and then forgotten. Others instead take root, dig deep, grow and spread, leaving an indelible mark of their arrival. Is this the case of the reference 5699 of Longines, equipped with the iconic in-house caliber 13ZN such as the lot offered here. The impressive stainless steel case of this watch is very well preserved and broke the patterns with the standard of the time in terms of dimensions given the 39.5 mm of diameter and immediately struck watch lovers. The silvered dial with blue tachometric and red telemetric multi scale immediately hits and attracts the attention for its beautiful geometric structure, but to an expert eye it will certainly not have escaped the red detail placed at the center of the quadrant, a hand slightly larger than the normal. It might be considered as a split seconds but instead it is an innovative idea brought by Longines. Also know as ‘doppia lancetta’ among Italian collectors, the equivalent of ‘double hand’, this model distorts the classic time recording system by adding a further, big, central hand capable of measuring the minutes. Slightly different from a similar model in this auction (lot 51), this is the chance to purchase one of those pieces which have remained in the collective imagination as absolutely unforgettable objects.

Accompanied by the Longines Extract from the Archives confirming case, movement, production and subsequent sale on 31 March 1947 to the company Longines – Wittnauer Company, INC., which was at that time the Longines agent for the USA.