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.

Included with the purchase is a one-year warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

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 perpetual calendar chronograph are not true "in-house' calibers which makes watches like vintage Longines chronographs even that much more noteworthy.

Partly because of the company's aviation niche and partly because of their involvement in sports and timing, the focus of development of the company's complicated watches pointed almost exclusively to chronographs. This specialized focus prompted their development of sophisticated, advanced, and beautiful chronograph movements beginning with their pocket watches and ending with their marvelous and historically important 13.33 caliber - the world's very first chronograph wristwatch.

While chronograph pocket watches were not uncommon at the time, the significance of having a chronograph that could be worn on the wrist and operated with only one hand cannot be overstated - and it naturally lent itself to aviation and military uses.

Manufacturer: Longines
Country of origin: Switzerland
Date sold: Invoiced by Longines on October 19th, 1918 to the A. Wittnauer Company and retailed through Tiffany & Co.
Serial no.: 2,972,940
Model: 13.33 Chronograph
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds, Chronograph
Designed for: Men
Case material: Sterling silver
Case condition: The dual signed sterling silver case - signed with the traditional Longines signature and also stamped Tiffany & Co., is in honest condition
Dimensions: 35.5mm wide (excluding crown), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip
Dial: White porcelain with black minute numerals and outer 1/5 second track, original, excellent condition with one discretely touched up small spot by 11.
Hands: Original luminous hour, minute, chronograph sweep hands and original blue steel small register hands.
Band: Hirsch Leather, designed for fixed lug use, remborde, brand new and unworn
Movement type: Signed Longines, caliber 13.33, 17 jewels, rhodium plated, crown wheel
Width between lugs: 16mm
Crystal type: Mineral glass, excellent condition
Serviced: 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!)
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is keeping very accurate time.
Warranty: 1-year warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. 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.
Box/Papers: BOX - Inner and outer vintage Longines boxes; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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