Lemania Monopusher Chronograph 'RAF' Ref. 6BB/924-3306 - Satin Black 'Broad Arrow' Dial
Lemania can trace its roots back to the Vallée de Joux, where it was founded in 1884 by Alfred Lugrin, a former Jaeger-LeCoultre craftsman with a talent for complicated movements. Operating first under his own name, Lugrin built a modest but formidable reputation through his chronograph work before his son-in-law Marius Meylan took the reins around 1930 and renamed the company Lemania.
Survival through the Great Depression came by joining forces with Omega and Tissot in 1932, and it was within the newly-formed alliance that Lemania's true legacy was forged: Every Omega chronograph movement for the next four decades, including the the iconic Calibre .321, would be supplied or closely based off Lemania calibres.
The Quartz Crisis of the 1970s nearly unravelled it all, and by 1981 Lemania had separated from the group and reborn itself as Nouvelle Lemania. A decade later, Breguet brought it into the fold, and when the Swatch Group absorbed Breguet in 1999, the Lemania name was quietly retired — though its workshops now forming movements for Manufacture Breguet.
The piece that we have here is a monopusher chronograph issued to the British Royal Air Force in 1965.
The stainless steel case comes in at approximately 39.5mm in diameter with asymmetrical proportions, not dissimilar to a twisted-lug Speedmaster, where the right side of the case is thicker to partially conceal the crown. It also has ‘fixed’-bar lugs, a single pusher at the 2 o’clock position to operate the chronograph, and a screw-down caseback with the appropriate military engravings. Inside, the dial is an uncommon black variant and is very nicely-preserved. The surface shows light patina from age and presents very well with much of the original gloss present, along with patinated indices, excellent printing, and that desirable 'broad arrow' on the lower half. The dial is complimented by a matching white-painted handset.
It is powered by Lemania’s manually-wound Calibre and comes fitted with a very fitting NATO strap from Phoenix.
Not only is this a piece of history, but when compared to other military-issued pieces from other brands, this actually is fantastic value, and they sure don't grow on trees!
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