Introduction
Founded by Alfred Lugrin in 1884, the company that would become Lemania established itself as one of Switzerland's great specialists in chronograph movements. Its calibres would eventually find their way into watches from some of the most important names in Swiss watchmaking, while Lemania also produced accomplished chronographs under its own name.
Dating to the 1940s, this example is powered by the manually wound calibre 15TL, an important large-format chronograph movement closely related to the architecture used by Omega as the celebrated 33.3. Its substantial 37mm stainless steel case is paired with a striking black dial featuring luminous Arabic numerals, cathedral hands, twin subsidiary registers and telemeter timing scale. The result is a purposeful wartime-era chronograph whose technical appearance reflects the practical origins of watches of this type.
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Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$3,000 – $4,000
The Details
Brand
Lemania
Dimensions
37mm × 14mm
Model
Chronograph
Movement
Manual-wind cal. 15TL
Reference
15TL
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
Circa 1940s
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
The black dial combines luminous Arabic numerals and cathedral hands with subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register. A telemeter scale allows the wearer to calculate the distance of an event that can be both seen and heard, historically most commonly artillery fire or lightning, by timing the interval between the flash and the arrival of the sound.
THE CONSTRUCTION
At 37mm in diameter, the stainless steel case is unusually substantial for a chronograph of the 1940s. Its stepped bezel, concave lugs and oval chronograph pushers give the watch the functional character associated with early purpose-built wrist chronographs.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case shows surface scratches and small nicks, as expected of a watch of this vintage. The pushers and winding crown are in excellent condition. The black dial is excellent, with some degradation to the applied luminous material on the Arabic hour markers. The cathedral hands show some oxidation. It is fitted with a black leather strap and a steel pin buckle.
Please note: The watch ticks at time of cataloging, but timekeeping is poor and a service is recommended.
Our Perspective
Long before Lemania movements became associated with some of the most celebrated chronographs in watchmaking, the manufacture was producing watches such as this under its own name. With its large-for-the-period steel case, black multi-scale dial and important calibre 15TL, this is an appealing example of the specialist chronograph engineering upon which Lemania built its reputation.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
