Longines · ref 13ZN · 1936–1951
The 13ZN is the movement that put Longines at the front of the chronograph business before the war. Longines filed its flyback patent in 1935 and had it registered in 1936, and the 13ZN was the first caliber to use it widely, so one press of the reset pusher snaps the running hand back to zero and starts it timing again. Longines made it from 1936 to 1951, with the 30CH taking over from 1947. Cases ran from about 37mm to 40mm in steel and gold, and the dials came matte silvered or glossy black, with tachymeter and telemeter scales and even sandwich numerals. The best known is the ref. 4270, nicknamed the Mushroom Pusher for its domed pushers, made in small numbers from 1937 to 1942. Longines' heritage department can check a serial number against its archive and tell you whether the case, dial and movement left the factory together. On a watch like this, that archive extract is the first thing to ask for.
The caliber
The 13ZN followed Longines' smaller 13.33Z, and it's the caliber the house patented its flyback on, filed in 1935 and registered in 1936. Flyback had turned up on a handful of 13.33Z watches before that, but the 13ZN was the first to use it widely, though not on every example. Some versions add a 12-hour counter, like the steel ref. 5699. Its successor, the 30CH, arrived in 1947, and the 13ZN was made until 1951.
Some original dials and hands on the Longines 13ZN Flyback Chronograph carry radium paint, which stays radioactive long after the glow fades. Worn with the case closed it’s generally considered low risk. The real hazard is dust from flaking paint, so leave the case shut, don’t scrape or touch the dial, and have a watchmaker who handles radium do any service.
More in our radium and tritium guide.
Dials from this era were often refinished, and loose 13ZN movements turn up in cases they didn't start in, so a mismatch between case, dial and movement is the main risk. A flyback that doesn't reset cleanly points to worn chronograph parts, which need a watchmaker who knows these calibers.
Buying guide
For a 13ZN to wear, we'd take the 1942 18k gold flyback titled serviced at $7,698 delivered from Switzerland, right at the bottom of the band. There are only about 13 for sale and most ask $7,350–19,150 delivered, a band split by case, with gold ones mostly asking $6,400–8,900 and the steel ones from Italy and Japan $16,900–20,700. Ask for a Longines archive extract, or the movement serial so you can request one, a movement photo signed 13ZN and a video of the flyback resetting while it runs, because refinished dials and recased movements are the main risk on these. Check the seller's feedback and return policy on the item page, since eBay's watch search doesn't show them, and expect import duty, since nearly all of them ship from outside the US.
$5,952.77est. delivered
The lowest ask on a 13ZN not listed for parts, $5,953 delivered from Italy, about $1,400 under the band. The title gives no case metal or reference, so ask whether it's steel or gold and for the movement serial before you make an offer.
LONGINES CHRONOGRAPH 13ZN FIRST SERIES - 1940s
$7,697.88est. delivered
Titled 1942, flyback and serviced, in 18k gold, at $7,698 delivered, the cheapest serviced 13ZN here. Ask who did the service and for a video of the reset, since a tired flyback is the costly fix on this caliber.
1942 Longines 13zn Fly Back Chronograph 18k Gold - Serviced
$8,441.25delivered
The other 13ZN titled serviced, an 18k gold 1940s watch with free shipping from Italy. Ask what the service covered and for the movement serial so you can check it against Longines' archive.
Longines Chronograph 13ZN 18kt Gold 40s Manual Serviced
$2,070.93est. delivered
Titled for parts or repair with an original dial, at $2,071 delivered from Italy, a fraction of what a running one asks. The title doesn't say what's wrong or missing, so ask, and only take it on if you have a watchmaker who knows vintage Longines chronographs.
Longines 13 ZN Chronograph Rare Original Dial Watch Parts Repair
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$5,952.77est. delivered
$5,852.60 + $100.17 shipping
Buy It Now$5,852.60
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Titled first series, 1940s. No case metal given. Ships from Italy.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Serviced$7,697.88est. delivered
$7,553.09 + $144.79 shipping
Buy It Now$7,553.09
Good buy
Titled 1942 flyback in 18k gold, serviced. Ships from Switzerland.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Serviced$8,441.25delivered
$8,441.25 · free shipping
Buy It Now$8,441.25
Good buy
18k gold, titled 1940s and serviced. Free shipping from Italy.
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For parts$2,070.93est. delivered
$2,014.65 + $56.28 shipping
Buy It Now$2,014.65
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Project piece
Titled for parts or repair, original dial. Fault not stated. Ships from Italy.
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Used$6,049.00est. delivered
$5,999.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$5,999.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Titled ref. 22185 with a two-tone dial and a box. Ships from Argentina.
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Used$6,390.00est. delivered
$6,350.00 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$6,350.00
Our take
36mm, titled solid 18k gold. Ships from Canada.
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Used$16,920.77est. delivered
$16,882.50 + $38.27 shipping
Buy It Now$16,882.50
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Steel case, the kind that tops the band. Ships from Italy.
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Used$34,525.00est. delivered
$34,450.00 + $75.00 shipping
Buy It Now$34,450.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
1936 sandwich dial with an extract, but about $15,400 over the band.
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Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 6, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Longines 13ZN Flyback Chronograph wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
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