
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Lemania Monopusher Chronograph 6BB "Asymmetric Case" Military Chronograph Black Dial, 1970
- Maker / attribution
- Lemania (maker)
- Date
- 1970
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2930
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2930)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Lemania Monopusher Chronograph 6BB "Asymmetric Case" Military Chronograph Black Dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2930), this is a wristwatch by Lemania, made in Switzerland, dated 1970. 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 6 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
Lemania, established in 1884, is one of the most respected names in vintage chronographs. Known for their robust and reliable chronograph movements, Lemania has earned a lasting legacy, especially through their collaborations with Omega, Patek Philippe, and Breguet. Their military-issued watches, designed for extreme environments, exemplify the true essence of a tool watch. This particular Lemania monopusher chronograph is a remarkable example of military-issued timepieces. The 38mm asymmetric steel case features a crown guard on the right side, protecting the crown and pusher from damage. The case is in fantastic condition, and the case back bears military engravings, including "6BB-944-3306," signifying its initial issuance to the Royal Air Force. Later, it was used by sailors and submarine personnel in the Royal Navy. The black dial is non-lumed (a feature to avoid any radiation exposure in submarines), and it is adorned with orange lume for a vintage touch. The syringe hands and "circle T" for Tritium designation give it a distinctly military feel, while the dial also features the iconic "King's Cross" marking. The watch has a hand-wound Lemania Caliber 2220 movement, which has been fully serviced by our watchmaker for optimal performance. This military chronograph is paired with a single-pass strap, as per MOD regulations, and remains a fascinating and historically significant piece. Specifications: - Lemania Monopusher Chronograph "6BB" - 38mm steel asymmetric case with fixed lugs - Case No. 5xx / 70, dating to 1970 - Military engravings on caseback, issued to the GB armed forces - Black broad arrow dial with luminous Arabic numerals - Syringe hands - Lemania Caliber 2220 movement - Comes on a single-pass strap (per MOD rules) - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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