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Lemania boasts a rich history, providing Timepieces for the British Armed Forces, amongst other militaries around the World. These Lemania single pusher chronographs were issued to the Pilots of the RAF and The Fleet Air Arm which is the Naval Aviation arm of the Royal Navy and were produced for around 20 years, from the 50s to the early 70s, and in low quantities, they are now much sought after.
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They are generally separated into 3 series by Collectors depending on the Cases: Series 1 (Outer Ring Notches on Caseback), Series 2 (Inner Notches on Caseback) and Series 3 (Asymmetrical Case).
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Today's example is a Series 1 that has been issued to the Royal Navy Hydrographic Survey, the Series 1 was issued between 1945-1950 and were fitted with two variations of Radium Dials, the earliest being sterile (like the example we have for sale: here) and with 15CHT Movements. Around the early 60s the MOD basically gathered all of these Series 1 Chronographs up and redialled them in Black or White with Tritium Lume. This was the case for all Lemania Chronographs at the time. Though some series 1 escaped and are quite rare to find in the Wild.
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Following on from above, what else is cool about this Lemania, is the case back markings. This example has HS9 (Hydrographic Survey) on the back, a large percent of these have been struck out and their 0552 NATO Stock Number engraved above.
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The Specs
Age: c.1945-1950.
Movement: Manual Wind with 30 min Chronograph and Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 15CHT.
Service History: Unknown, Fully Inspected.
Dial: Original Lemania Dial, Redialled by the MOD circa 1960.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Early Example.
Nitty Gritty:
Overall this Lemania is in good condition.