LEMANIA Vintage Chronograph cal. CH27 / 18K Yellow Gold, Two-Register

This watch, with an elaborate design running in quite a different direction from anything contemporary, turned up unexpectedly on the Japanese trade market.

That too is a meeting you get only once, and we took it in as a piece fitting for this shop.

A small 33mm Lemania chronograph with a distinctive dial.

Take it in your hand and — well now. Is this not rather good condition?

Fifty or sixty years on, it remains in fine fettle.

Thinning just short of erasing the hallmark on the case side. A crown worn smooth.

They speak for a watch that has been loved for a long time.

The movement is the Lemania Cal.CH27, the base movement of the Omega Speedmaster (Cal.321) and of the Patek Philippe ref.3970 (Cal. CH 27-70 Q).

Used from 1941 to 1968, it was called the finest chronograph movement of its day.

Given that it passed NASA's tests and was adopted by Patek Philippe as a base, there is not much more that needs saying.

Do take this one out on a fine day.

It is not fond of rain.

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