Lemania Military Chronographs

mgennone · May 7, 2015

Some of this current auction seem reasonable yet a few I know have been re-dialed, frankenwatches....some maybe outright fake. Still some interesting ones by brands I do not know so hard for me to tell.

bill5959 · May 7, 2015

Northernman
No experience, but Auctionata seems to be a serious actor (and seriously expensive).

I bought from Auctionata. It put me off auctions because the photos were crap and well I got an overly polished watch. Still a great little TypeXX. Yes I know they didn't make me bid. As they register with customs you will most likely pay customs fee into the US. As for serious, I suggest you read some of what Eric Wind has said about them lately

Northernman · May 7, 2015

🍿

bill5959
I bought from Auctionata. It put me off auctions because the photos were crap and well I got an overly polished watch. Still a great little TypeXX. Yes I know they didn't make me bid. As they register with customs you will most likely pay customs fee into the US. As for serious, I suggest you read some of what Eric Wind has said about them lately

As stated no experience with them, however the operation seems solid. They are also connected to Chrono24 which I have sold some high quality watches through.
I would be interested to hear if people have good or bad experiences with them as I might consider a bid at some point myself.
🍿😀

marturx · May 9, 2015

One more auction result to marvel over:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151668011167?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

michaelmc · May 21, 2015

Amazing what a few years makes in values. As said anything of quality seems to rise more than the average.

Fost · Feb 21, 2017

Sorry to bump but i was searching to learn more about those rare pieces (issued Lemania 5012) and when I red the sentences from @michaelmc ... I think it is another exemple of how prices are going crazy...

https://whitelabel.globalauctionpla...a66e00b39a1e?clienturl=watchesofknightsbridge

Hammer price : 9000 GPB

Finnaly price in 2015 where bargain 😀

chipsotoole · May 27, 2017

Hi,
I just picked up this Lemania 5100 driven Eberhard Frecce Tricolori Master Chronograph for under 300 USD...Sure it needs a new screw down crown and a service, but I'm really stoked!!

georgeszaslavsky · Aug 21, 2017

You can stil lfind some nice 5100 in good shape if you hunt well and long enough, taht is part of the pleasure of the hunt

tapaptpat · Aug 31, 2017

Fost
Sorry to bump but i was searching to learn more about those rare pieces (issued Lemania 5012) and when I red the sentences from @michaelmc ... I think it is another exemple of how prices are going crazy...

https://whitelabel.globalauctionpla...a66e00b39a1e?clienturl=watchesofknightsbridge

Hammer price : 9000 GPB

Finnaly price in 2015 where bargain 😀

Let's see if the 2016 prices were a bargain too. SAAF 5012 lot 138 on 16 Sept.. Anyone care to guess?

https://whitelabel-2.globalauctionp...0022/lot-09d4fbd3-5a72-40ce-87fc-a7d800c1b1d3

andy_s · Aug 31, 2017

Bearing in mind that one has an incorrect minute counter, but it'll be interesting to see as there have been a few to market in the past 6 months.

tapaptpat · Aug 31, 2017

andy_s
Bearing in mind that one has an incorrect minute counter, but it'll be interesting to see as there have been a few to market in the past 6 months.

You are correct of course Andy, I got abit over excited.. Woo sa.. Breath.. That's enough coffee for me today. Correct minute recorder can be seen on the previous link. It should be an arrow /|\ not triangle /_\. Thanks for the spot. Did you notice anything else?

/P

tapaptpat · Aug 31, 2017

tapaptpat
You are correct of course Andy, I got abit over excited.. Woo sa.. Breath.. That's enough coffee for me today. Correct minute recorder can be seen on the previous link. It should be an arrow /|\ not triangle /_\. Thanks for the spot. Did you notice anything else?

/P

Taking a second look at hand set, I think I'd like to see lume "all the way" to center point or hand fastening. On hour minute hand more/similar to chronograph second hand. Would you agree? @andy_s

Cheers again
P

andy_s · Aug 31, 2017

Yes, that's correct; it's difficult to say with these as during service they may have just replaced parts with what was available -I've seen a few strange hands on these - in fact, they are pretty much individual when you get into detail - mine has a white minute hand, others a white second hand - remember these were just working watches [note characteristic crude lume application etc) so I wouldn't say necessarily this was added to 'deceive' but may have been like that post-service while in service...if that makes sense?! Baring the lume matching problem it'd be an easy one to get the correct hand (stock, unlike the second hand) if you felt the need - I personally wouldn't mind it as is, but others may disagree.

Otherwise a nice, first batch, watch.

I think I still have an extract of the QM register somewhere - will have a look and see if I can match the serial.

tapaptpat · Aug 31, 2017

andy_s
Yes, that's correct; it's difficult to say with these as during service they may have just replaced parts with what was available -I've seen a few strange hands on these - in fact, they are pretty much individual when you get into detail - mine has a white minute hand, others a white second hand - remember these were just working watches [note characteristic crude lume application etc) so I wouldn't say necessarily this was added to 'deceive' but may have been like that post-service while in service...if that makes sense?! Baring the lume matching problem it'd be an easy one to get the correct hand (stock, unlike the second hand) if you felt the need - I personally wouldn't mind it as is, but others may disagree.

Otherwise a nice, first batch, watch.

I think I still have an extract of the QM register somewhere - will have a look and see if I can match the serial.

I did see a replacement hand set floating around a little while back. I agree with you again regarding the utilitarian approach to turning a watch around from non working to back on duty.

How many "stacks/crates" did you part with for a QM register? Well done sir!!!

/P

andy_s · Sep 8, 2017

Unfortunately just the one page, but gives a nice insight into the 'behind the scenes'.

tapaptpat · Sep 11, 2017

Thanks @andy_s you're a legend for sharing that one page. Truly thankful.

/P

Gaz6263 · Oct 7, 2017

Furze
Hello,

I know there are some Lemania fans here, so thought this might be of interest, Lemania Royal Navy 2 button Chronograph issued in 1975, this version was only issued in '75 and '76, so pretty rare. Powered by Lemania Calibre 1872. There are many other issued Lemania chronographs issued to other armed forces, but this is distinct in it's case is assymetrical. Hence commonly referred to as an assymetrical chronograph. I believe there is only this version in 2 button configuration form, from Lemania, other assymetrical cased issued chronograph exist made by CWC, Hamilton, Precista and Newmark. More common is the single button chronograph, again issued to British and other armed forces.

Here are a couple of single button chronographs issued to Air Ministry and Royal Navy.

The White dialled one is that a non lumed nuclear submarine issued.

tr2 · Oct 10, 2017

Furze
Hello,

I know there are some Lemania fans here, so thought this might be of interest, Lemania Royal Navy 2 button Chronograph issued in 1975, this version was only issued in '75 and '76, so pretty rare. Powered by Lemania Calibre 1872. There are many other issued Lemania chronographs issued to other armed forces, but this is distinct in it's case is assymetrical. Hence commonly referred to as an assymetrical chronograph. I believe there is only this version in 2 button configuration form, from Lemania, other assymetrical cased issued chronograph exist made by CWC, Hamilton, Precista and Newmark. More common is the single button chronograph, again issued to British and other armed forces.

Here are a couple of single button chronographs issued to Air Ministry and Royal Navy.

These are superb watches.....even better on the inside....very very underrated...and a pleasure to wear...!!!!

Dial & Bezel · Oct 10, 2017

Love those Lemania mono pusher!

JohnLy · Oct 18, 2017

I also know very little about Lemania but I just picked up I what I believe is a pilots watch. It's 50mm in diameter single button chronograph. The movement is angled for what I assume is ease of reading. The crown is extended away from the case and not sure if it was that way when it originally left the factory. I can see where it was extended for ease of winding I assume. There is no sign of corrosion but I don't think the case is made of stainless, perhaps brass and nickle plate? the case in numbered 131528 but no other identification. Also has fixed lugs.
The gilt movement is unsigned and has a serial number 189952 and runs great.
It has an enamel dial which has some small hairlines under the bezel. with the bezel one you cannot see them. The Breguet hands appear to enameled or a very thick paint job, never seen any like it before.

I guess my questions are
1) is This a Lemania Movement and if so when would it have been made.
2) Was it common for cases and movements not be signed during this time period.
3) Does my assumption of the case material being nickle plated brass?
4) My assumption that this is a pilots watch appear to be correct?

Thanks for any help you can give me with this..