Most enthusiasts recognize the Longines cal. 13ZN as the cornerstone for early Longines movement making and for good reason, however, the cal. 12.86Z was produced by Longines around the same time and is also an incredible movement but it just doesn’t receive the same level of recognition.
The cal. 12.86Z was based on the cal. 12L platform and is a mono-pusher stop-seconds flyback Chronograph movement, similar to the 13Z, though the 12.86Z featured a central minute counter hand in blued steel that worked in conjunction with the central Chronograph hand. An operation that closely resembles an Omega Chronostop however Longines designed this movement far earlier in the 20th century. The cal. 12.67Z movements were also fitted into Military-issued Timepieces during the Second World War for pilots and aviators as a reliable source for tracking the timing of multiple events.
Regardless of the prestige the movement encased in this Longines holds, the story of the watch is engraved into the case back. This 10k Gold-filled Longines Cal. 12.68Z was gifted to Joe Paparella, a famed umpire in Major League Baseball from the 40s to the 50s. The hand-engraved case back is signed with Joe’s name, and the years of his All-Star Game appearances as an umpire — 1948 and 1954, as well as the World Series he umpired in — 1949, 1951, and 1957. Interestingly enough, this Longines must have been gifted to Joe Paparella prior to the 1960s as he also participated in the 1963 MLB World Series and the 1964 MLB All-Star Game. In Joes’ 20 year career he umpired 3,142 major league games and is remembered as one of the greatest officiators the game has seen.
SPECS
| Stock # | LNGFCHSS1268Z | |
| Brand | Longines | |
| Style | Flyback Stop-Seconds Chronograph | |
| Model | Cal. 12.68Z | |
| Serial | 88XXXXX | |
| Size | Men’s | |
| Material | 10K Gold Filled | |
| Dial | Aged Silver | |
| Millimeters | 31 | |
| Bracelet | 2pc Leather Strap |
CASE & Bracelet
The 10k Gold-filled case is beautifully well preserved and remains Unpolished with light signs of previous use. The case retains its original unsigned crown and mono-pusher. The case back is hand engraved “Joe Paparella, All-Stars 1948-54, World Series 1948-51-57”, the engraving remains deep and untouched. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc Leather strap.
DIAL & HANDS
The original silver dial with Breguet numeral and red accents shows appropriate age throughout, showing consistent spotting and a handsome dial warmth. The hands all remain original to the watch and in excellent condition.
Accessories
None. The watch is functioning perfectly and keeping time, previous service history is unknown.
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