1940s Lemania Chronograph: Bent Chrono Hand Fix

Vintage Lemania · Oct 8, 2025

Dealing with a bit of a dilemma. During the summer of 2024 I had my Lemania chrono (approx 1947) serviced. I have had the watch since the end of 2015 and figured it was time as it had an unknown service history. Unfortunately upon re-assembly the watchmaker damaged the "tail" of the central chronograph hand. I brought it back and an attempt was made to bend it back, and it was slightly improved, but the bend is still very much present and it bugs me to the point of essentially retiring the watch.

Wanted to gather some thoughts on here. Could this be feasibly straightened? Or, would it be better to try and source a new hand (not sure how I would even begin). I have added a pic below. The bend can be seen below the pinion.

TexOmega · Oct 8, 2025

leave it, unless it butts the other hand and will not run

Vintage Lemania · Jun 4, 2026

Does anyone know where I might be able to source a replacement central chrono hand that looks like the (unfortunately damaged) one currently on the watch? I have searched high and low with very few results.

lightweight · Jun 27, 2026

Chiming in again with a vote to leave it as it is. If its TRULY beyond the pale for you then you are in a rough spot. As far as I can tell you have three options.

1. Purchase a second watch, have a trusted watchmaker swap the chrono hands, then sell on the donor.

2. Purchase a reproduction hand I know there are some people that do make these to fit vintage speedmasters. Problems being:
a). Its obviously not original to the watch
b). The style will not be full congruent with your watch. Some 2951's did come with steel hands which could be plated to match the gold colour but the yellow will not be a perfect match and the hands are stamped as opposed to rounded like the hour minute hand on your example.
c). While the CH27 and Cal 321 are almost identical (particularly early 321's) I am not sure if the posts/pinions are identical in size

3. Become incredibly patient. Watch parts for any vintage watch are not abundant. Its only more difficult for movements like the a CH27 which while desirable were never produced in staggering numbers. Set as many ebay alerts as you possibly can for any variation of 'watch hands for CH27/Cal. 321/Cal. 320/CH27.41h/..."

Edit: If you need a replacement hand there is currently and auction for a BEATEN watch with a compatible looking chrono hand. Probably your best option for parts in the near future as long as the price remains palpable.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/23690060419...dAoXseSI+WY0uMD+SXA1EDwA==|tkp:Bk9SR9KipbDhZw

Vintage Lemania · Jul 5, 2026

lightweight
Chiming in again with a vote to leave it as it is. If its TRULY beyond the pale for you then you are in a rough spot. As far as I can tell you have three options.

1. Purchase a second watch, have a trusted watchmaker swap the chrono hands, then sell on the donor.

2. Purchase a reproduction hand I know there are some people that do make these to fit vintage speedmasters. Problems being:
a). Its obviously not original to the watch
b). The style will not be full congruent with your watch. Some 2951's did come with steel hands which could be plated to match the gold colour but the yellow will not be a perfect match and the hands are stamped as opposed to rounded like the hour minute hand on your example.
c). While the CH27 and Cal 321 are almost identical (particularly early 321's) I am not sure if the posts/pinions are identical in size

3. Become incredibly patient. Watch parts for any vintage watch are not abundant. Its only more difficult for movements like the a CH27 which while desirable were never produced in staggering numbers. Set as many ebay alerts as you possibly can for any variation of 'watch hands for CH27/Cal. 321/Cal. 320/CH27.41h/..."

Edit: If you need a replacement hand there is currently and auction for a BEATEN watch with a compatible looking chrono hand. Probably your best option for parts in the near future as long as the price remains palpable.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/236900604199?_skw=CH27&itmmeta=01KW5G9A1ZXMM25H5XPMFP7YAD&hash=item3728605927:g:gagAAeSwKNZqPuri&itmprp=enc:AQALAAAAwGfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xB2+h/WMLyxhldWV8r7sUiFAvfH26553nj4Pk07jNFd9OnLQghWN/i7zROHu5+be8Jabu04WIsItLtDwGC91ICw0v4Ra3S5FuYrAqz70WzOxXfiIqSu9Ef62hNaeyv8s7mPM/QCvgwg6LFcySdak2FetkbLA5AZdp0hFqQf26mmcEMuc2jBVMZNarwMD9K6p0/XJe9nRm/MDs3N5AbU7odAoXseSI+WY0uMD+SXA1EDwA==|tkp:Bk9SR9KipbDhZw

Thanks for the detailed response. Ive worn the watch a few times since I got it back with the bent hand and my eyes go to it immediately. Bugs me to no end unfortunately. Aggravates me more than anything as the hand was damn near perfect before the watchmaker damaged it. The explanation I was given when I confronted the shop was even more ridiculous. The head watchmaker (who apparently did the work) stated "The hand was bent at the tail so that it would line up with the hour subdial hand." The fact that it was bent on purpose really pisses me off. They did make an attempt to bend it back, but it still doesn't look right. They may have a hand in stock that is a very close match, but I really hesitate to send it back to the people that did the damage in the first place.

That ebay listing does look like a pretty close match, but the hand seems to be more of a rose color. obviously i could have it replated, but i'd hate to cannibalize a relatively intact watch for the hand.

noelekal · Jul 5, 2026

I would have though careful attentiveness to straightening the hand would have pulled you through.

Vintage Lemania · Jul 9, 2026

noelekal
I would have though careful attentiveness to straightening the hand would have pulled you through.

I may try to pursue that with another watchmaker. They didn try to straighten it a bit..but didnt seem to put too much care into it. Not sure how much more manipulation it could take before it snaps, which is the concern of course. But I agree.

1940s Lemania Chronograph: Bent Chrono Hand Fix

Vintage Lemania

TexOmega

Vintage Lemania

lightweight

Vintage Lemania

noelekal

Vintage Lemania

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