Lemania Single Button Chronograph

LEMANIA, SINGLE BUTTON CHRONOGRAPH, H.S.9, BRITISH ARMY, STEEL

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is proud to introduce here a nice and unusual Lemania single button chronograph,  issued to British Military from the mid 1940’s to the mid 1970’s.  Lemania brand was providing timepieces to several military forces in Italy, Germany, and Sweden (often referred to as the “Viggen” chronograph by collectors), or SAAF South Africa, for examples. The present screwed case back is engraved with the issue markings.

The H.S letters stands for Hydrographic Service, in fact for the Naval use, whereas the Broad Arrow symbol, followed by the number 9 denotes that it is a chronograph wristwatch. Inside ticks a caliber 15 CHT, with gilt finish, earlier version such as the present one, are not fitted with shock absorbers. Reason why the dial does not bear the mention « incabloc ». However, the dial is painted with a large letter « T » in a circle, under the signature, because of the use of Tritium material.

This manual winding movement is fitted with a self-compensating Breguet hairspring, column-wheel chronograph mechanism and  17 jewels. The present watch is set with silvered dial with painted Arabic black numerals, luminous Arabic 12,  concentric painted luminous square and round small indexes, luminous hands, two subsidiary dials for the constant second at 9 and the 30-minute register at 3, outer minute division. The model was also available at the time with a matte black dial. The size between the lugs is 20 mm.

Made in the 1950s, this Naval issue chronograph, with  MOD « Broad Arrow » marking, will pleased every military chronograph’s collectors.

Condition: 8.5/10, in very good overall condition, some signs of wear in places, movement and chronograph functions are working.