Lemania Chronograph CH27 - Purchase Guidance

Hi all,

I've wanted a circa mid-century era chronograph for ages, and have come across a Lemania, described below. I must admit I am a bit enamoured, so would appreciate some further thoughts if there's any Lemania experts about (information on this brand is hard to come across, which doesn't immediately segway into a discussion of Omega and the moonwatch!). If anyone has any databases for Lemania (with references etc.), that would be amazing.

The seller's ad (on Chrono24) notes it's a CH27 from 1930, which is clearly wrong since the CH27 came out in c.1942, so I think the watch is newer. Seller seems friendly/helpful, but doesn't want to sell over Chrono24 (meaning no escrow) which I do empathize with (he called them the 3rd Reich which was highly amusing 😀).

Watch Details:
- Lemania triple register chronograph
- CH27 movement (it looks like the movement is indeed CH27 to me!)
- 35mm diameter
- Price: 1,800 euros
- watch appears in working condition, seller sent two videos, one starting and stopping the chrono and running it for 1 minute.
- Dial looks great in my opinion, even without the tachymeter.

My concerns:
- Movement appears very fresh/shiny, though some of that may be the photo, it just seems to contrast with the deal which appears to be older (albeit in a way I like).
- Chronograph Bridge appears unsigned which is worrying, though it has a number of scratches so I wonder if it's been like that for a while.
- Interior of caseback is also unsigned, which would be less of a concern if the movement was sign, but the combination together is concerning.
- Also on the inside of the caseback the burnished circles (I don't remember what this is called) seem a bit out of alignment, could something have been filed over?
- Crown appears to be a replacement.
- I won't be able to look at this in person as the seller is in Belgium and I am in the UK.

I've had a look at the thread here, which has provided some insight, but would be curious for some further views: https://omegaforums.net/threads/lemania-chronograph.82997/

Photos below.

If I can figure out how to add video here I will do so.

Thanks for any help.

Best,
Simon

I will see if this conversion of video to .gif works. The chrono stops fine at the end, but I had to cut that as I could only upload 1 min of video.https://imgur.com/a/uJSoTx2

Scouring the internet for Lemanias with unmarked casebacks & movements, I don't see many, only one decent example, but unsure if legit: https://bernardinimilano.com/collections/all-vintage-watches/products/lemania-screw-back-chronograph

Also seems the resolution of the extra photos in the OP was not good, so I've re-done them, and added photo of legit CH27 movement (courtesy of Hodinkee).

Crown and caseback looks ok to me. Here is a simular 27ch-12 Lemania
(With obvious wrong hands)

Thanks Radiumpassion! I think that supports my view that the case and dial look original. I'm not too worried if a caseback is a replacement or not original.

However, as I am really keen on ensuring I get the right movement for the case and dial, given the legacy of this movement, that leaves us with the predicament of the unsigned movement on the chronograph bridge, and the apparently (to my miniscule Lemania knowledge) too short serial number next to the balance wheel... any thoughts? Reading the other thread about these being ground down due to potentiall coming from other makers kinda spooked me!

Why is there another crown in this picture? I would also expect a Lemania signed bridge. But again, these chronographs arent my collection focus.

Fair comment and I should have mentioned in my OP; I am unsure, that photo was which seller had on Chrono 24, and leads me to believe it's from a pre-service shot (watch has apparently been serviced), as there's a different strap on the watch now and it looks cleaner.

Apart from signature and that all the serial numbers are very low (2-3 digits), another thing that appears missing from the movement (at least in the grainy whatsapp photo the seller sent) is the pin on the balance wheel (Breguet hairspring I think), which is present in other CH27 movements I have seen, and in the images you posted. If there's any experts, their views would be appreciated! I do love the dial and hands on this one.