Lemania H.S.9 Monopusher Chronograph, 'Brushed' Silver Dial British Military Issued

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

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 Military. Dating to circa the 1960s, this piece is excellent overall condition given its past history. It features a wonderfully-sized 38mm case with a winding crown at the 3 o'clock position, a single 'pump' pusher at 2 o'clock, and a screw-down caseback with the appropriate military engravings. Inside, the silver dial is nicely preserved, showing only faint wear across the surface, with excellent text, patinated markers, and that desirable 'broad arrow' logo prominently featured on the lower half. The correct 'syringe' handset has been replaced — very likely under contract service as is the case with many military watches throughout history. 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!