Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Lemania Bullhead Chrono ref 9601, 1969
- Maker / attribution
- Lemania (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2142
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2142)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Lemania Bullhead Chrono ref 9601 (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2142), this is a wristwatch by Lemania, made in Switzerland, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. The record is illustrated with 5 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
Like the day it left the factory… This is a very cool and completely new-old-stock Bullhead chronograph by Lemania, a brand renowned for making some of the most robust chrono's ever that were used by a number of military forces around the world. These chronographs were marketed towards drivers and Lemania made this exact model for Omega. Many big brands used Lemania based movements (Omega , Patek Philippe …..). This cool two register chrono features a 1000-base tachymeter and striking orange stopwatch hand. The Bullhead's asymmetrical case design is extravagant and unusual. The watch is fitted with an associated steel bracelet that is a good match with the watch. As this watch is in completely untouched condition, we have decided to not even open this time capsule. The watch is running fine, BUT for everyday wear a service might be recommended, in which we can assist ! Try and find a better one! Specifications: - Reference 9601 - 41 x 38mm steel case - Serial 265xxxx dates to 1969/70 - Black dial with silver centre stripe - Lemania movement - Fitted with associated steel bracelet - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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