Wristwatch · Chronograph

Longines 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch

Partially verified

According to the auction house, this circa 1945 Longines flyback chronograph wristwatch features a three-piece brushed and polished 18 karat yellow gold case with a snap-on back, measuring 38.00 mm in diameter and 10.80 mm in thickness. The matte silvered dial is signed 'LONGINES' and displays applied gilt Arabic and index numerals, an outer telemeter chapter ring, a 30-minute register at 3 o'clock, and continuous seconds at 9 o'clock. It features gilt index hands and a central blued steel chronograph seconds hand. Hindman reports the watch is powered by a manual-wind Calibre 13ZN gilt shock-absorber movement and is fitted with a later strap and buckle.

Front three-quarter view of the Longines flyback chronograph wristwatch on a brown leather strap — Hindman. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bidsquare.com
Category: Wristwatch · Chronograph
Form: Flyback chronograph
Maker / attribution: Longines
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 3001
Source-reported date: Circa 1945
Source-reported place: Switzerland

Maker profile: Longines — history, key models and current watchmaking.

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Construction

The timepiece features a three-piece brushed and polished case in 18 karat yellow gold, measuring 38.00 mm in diameter and 10.80 mm in thickness. It is equipped with a snap-on case back and two rectangular chronograph pushers.

The case exhibits minor to moderate wear, including superficial scratches and scuffs on the outer band, lugs, and case back, which also shows several subtle dents. The bezel displays a significant scratch near 6 o'clock and a moderate-to-significant nick near 12 o'clock.

Evidence for this section

“three piece brushed and polished case”
“38.00 mm case diameter, 10.80 mm case thickness”
“snap on case back”
“The bezel has a significant scratch near 6 o'clock, moderate-significant nick to the outer bezel edge near 12 o'clock”
“The outer band, lugs and case back show minor-moderate wear overall consisting of superficial scratches and scuffs, the case back has several subtle dents.”

Dial and Configuration

The matte silvered dial is signed 'LONGINES' and features applied gilt Arabic and index numerals. It includes an outer telemeter chapter ring, a 30-minute register at 3 o'clock, and a continuous seconds subdial at 9 o'clock.

The dial displays an even patina of spotting, a dark area at the outer edge near 2 o'clock, and fading to the tachometer chapter ring and the signature. The hands exhibit spotting, and the crystal shows minor to moderate scratches.

Evidence for this section

“matte silvered dial signed LONGINES”
“applied gilt Arabic and index numerals”
“outer telemeter chapter ring”
“subdial at 3 o'clock for chronograph minutes, subdial at 9 o'clock for seconds”
“The dial shows a fairly even patina of spotting, moderately sized dark area at outer edge near 2 o'clock”
“outer painted tachometer chapter ring shows minor to significant fading”
“painted signature shows slight fading to the "S"”
“the minute and hour hands show spotting”

Mechanism and Provenance

The watch is powered by a manual-wind Calibre 13ZN gilt shock-absorber movement. The auction house reports that the watch winds, sets, and runs, with functional chronograph seconds, minutes, and flyback features. The timepiece is fitted with a later strap and buckle.

The internal condition of the movement and the interior of the case back are not visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section

“Cal. 13ZN manual wind gilt shock absorber movement”
“The watch winds, sets and runs but has not been timed for accuracy.”
“The chronograph seconds progress correctly and the flyback feature functions correctly, the chronograph minutes progress correctly.”
“The later strap and buckle show no obvious wear.”

Open research questions

What specific hallmarks are present on the interior of the case back to confirm the 18 karat gold composition?
Does the movement serial number correlate with the circa 1945 production period?
Are there additional details available regarding the watch's provenance prior to the 2014 auction?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Longines 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Case Material	18 Karat Yellow Gold	“An 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch”
Case Diameter	38.00 mm	“38.00 mm case diameter”
Movement Calibre	Cal. 13ZN	“Cal. 13ZN manual wind gilt shock absorber movement”
Dial Signature	LONGINES	“matte silvered dial signed LONGINES”
Case Back	Snap on	“snap on case back”
Dated Period	Circa 1945	“Circa 1945”
Auction Result	Sold at auction April 2014	“sold at auction on 8th April”

Visible details

Two rectangular chronograph pushers flanking the winding crown
Dual subdial layout at 3 and 9 o'clock on a light-colored dial
Mounted on a brown alligator-grain leather strap with contrast stitching

Research qualifications

Movement and interior of case back are not visible in the provided imagery
Dial exhibits spotting, edge darkening, and fading as noted by the auction house
Later strap and buckle noted in source

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.