Every now and again a watch sticks in my head because of its visual appeal, even though it is not in the mainstream of my collecting interest - probably not an alien experience to anyone here. Usually I've seen the watch in person or in a pic on this forum, but in this case, it was in a period advert Well, not long ago, the same popped up in a slightly different case The dial is in exceptionally good shape with only a little schmutz of time in the lower right quadrant The movement is unmarked, but well finished and clean. The case bears no Leonidas markings either (although properly hallmarked for 18K on casback and side), so there's a chance the piece may be a bit of a franken, as cases for cal 72C came from many manufacturers and suppliers but when something is burned into your mind, what the heck, we're here to have fun.....(gotta get that date pointer painted blue, though)
Nice original dial, but in my eyes the corroded hands reduce the overall condition. Here`s a pic of a calendar watch of my collection (NOS condition).
The movement is likely a replacement. Leonidas was a great manufacturer, especially known for their chronographs, before being purchased by Heuer in the early 1960s. They made their own movements, but did modify some ebauche movements. In both cases, Leonidas marked the movements. Unfortunately, Heuer used Leonidas as an inexpensive sub brand some years after the acquisition and tainted their brand recognition as a result.
The only two "Leonidas" named chronograph movements I know of are the 196 (a Venus ebauche) and the 45C (a Unitas ebauche).
That's more than I knew. As long as we are at it, a very casual survey of the internets reveals a fairly high number of unmarked engines in Leonidas chronographs, including Valjoux and Landeron movements - surely many of these are original equipment? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Leo...499049531?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3ce28ed63bPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LEO...51329316294?pt=AU_Watches&hash=item233bee1dc6Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.com/itm/EARLY-VINTA...241326519?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item27dec747b7Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEONIDAS-CH...430249864?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3f3280ed88Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.de/itm/LEONIDAS-HAN...soires_Uhren_Armbanduhren&hash=item4d1f19f0a3Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.de/itm/Leonidas-mit...1255251023?pt=Ersatzteile&hash=item35d7e3184fPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.de/itm/HERRENARMBAN...soires_Uhren_Armbanduhren&hash=item1e8959a18dPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
Sorry Gents, I stand corrected on the 72C. They did use the 72C in triple calendar Chronographs from the late 1950s and 60s. Mine is marked Leonidas on the bridge, but the Valjoux marking is also visible.
I do have an original pre-WW2 Leonidas catalog buried somewhere in my chronograph library collection. I'll check as it lists many of their chronograph models, board timers and stop watches. It's a bit earlier than the one posted on On the Dash site.