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Northernman
··LemaniacI 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..
The good part first: It’s a Lemania movement.
Cal 19.
The not so good part is that this watch movement was originally installed in a pocket watch case.
Someone have fitted/converted it into a wristwatch case and sold it as a pilots watch.
These “conversions “ are very common. Sellers, especially in the former east block countries, are pumping these out.
Lemania never fitted these movements in wristwatches of any sorts.
For pilots they used their cal 15 movements mostly.
To your questions:
I guess my questions are
1) is This a Lemania Movement and if so when would it have been made.
1930s-40s.
2) Was it common for cases and movements not be signed during this time period.
No. Your case is not original to the watch
3) Does my assumption of the case material being nickle plated brass?
It could be.
4) My assumption that this is a pilots watch appear to be correct?
No. It has been converted from a pocket watch into something people of lesser moral is selling as Pilots Watches.
They are not.
