While they might be best known for their movements, Lemania also produced their own watches over the years, with one of their models being this chronograph that we have here. Produced for the South African Airforce (the SAAF) in the early 1980s with around 800 units being produced, the ref. 5012 (named after its automatic cal. 5012 movement), is a rare and intriguing chronograph that points at a time when mechanical tool watches were still functional pieces of kit issued to members of the military. While the watch served the SAAF for several years, they were eventually replaced by quartz Seiko chronographs. SAAF pilots were then given the choice of buying the Lemania ref. 5012 for around the equivalent of $5, which many of them did, only to then turn them in for their Seiko replacements. In finding this out, the SAAF destroyed the remaining ref. 5012’s that were in stock, or were turned in, and so very few of the 800 examples originally produced still remain today, making it a rare and unique piece of horological history. With four central hands, two for the time and two for its chronograph functions, the ref. 5012 features a single running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, and a date aperture at 3 o’clock. A large watch at 41mm in diameter, the ref. 5012 benefits from short thick lugs to wear close to the wrist, making it a watch that both wears large, but also wears with a rather elegant poise.

The watch is in overall very good condition. The stainless steel case has some scratches and nicks, with the most noticeable mark on the case side of the upper lug on the crown side. The case back features well-defined military engravings and some surface scratches. The black bezel has some wear to the finish around the edges, while the front remains very clean. The dial is in excellent condition, and the hands show some discoloration on the luminous surface. The watch is fitted with a leather strap with a steel buckle. Please note that the watch ticks at the time of cataloging and appears to keep good time, but the date changes at 3:00. A service is recommended.

An intriguing timepiece that owns a unique piece of horological history, the Lemania Chronograph is a rare bird indeed that harkens back to the role mechanical watches used to play in the carrying out of military tasks and missions.