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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 Seamen 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, however this particular guy is something extra special. Why? because it is the earliest version of the Series 1 Chronograph issued to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.
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As mentioned above, this Lemania was issued to the Fleet Air Arm, for use on planes that would fly off the Ships. 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 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 with Tritium Lume. This was the case for all Lemania Chronographs at the time. This particular example is a rare escapee from this redialling run and these early examples are very seldom seen.
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Following on from above, what else is unusual about this early Lemania, is the case back markings. This example has HS9 on the back, the majority of Royal Navy Lemania Chronographs had this struck out and their NATO Stock Number engraved above. I have also seen examples reissued to other parts of the Military such as the RAF.
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View this Early Series 1 in a video: here
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The Specs
Age: c.1945.
Movement: Manual Wind with 30 min Chronograph and Sub Seconds.
Calibre: 15CHT.
Service History: Unknown.
Dial: Original Lemania Radium Dial.
Crystal: Possibly Original Crystal.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Early Example, from 1st year of issue.
Nitty Gritty:
Overall this Lemania is in very good condition.