Lemania "RAN" HS9 Mono-Pusher Chronograph (Royal Australian Navy) Series II, 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Military-issued chronographs represent one of the most compelling corners of vintage watch collecting, combining purpose-built design with tangible historical provenance. Among them, the single-pusher chronographs produced by Lemania are particularly significant. Better known as one of Switzerland’s great chronograph movement manufacturers, supplying calibers to brands including Omega, Heuer, and Tissot, Lemania also produced a comparatively small number of watches under its own name, including specialized chronographs supplied to military forces around the world. Lemania’s military mono-pusher chronographs were produced from the 1940s through the early 1970s and supplied most famously to Britain’s Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm, as well as to armed forces in Australia, Sweden, and South Africa. Collectors generally divide these watches into three generations according to their case construction: Series I with external caseback notches, Series II with internal notches, and the later Series III distinguished by its asymmetrical case. This example belongs to the particularly scarce Series II and was produced for the Royal Australian Navy, identified by the prominent “RAN” signature replacing the customary Lemania branding on the dial. Produced specifically for the RAN’s Hydrographic Service under the HS9 designation, these watches were issued in remarkably small numbers, with only a fraction of surviving examples displaying this distinctive RAN-signed dial. The watch retains the utilitarian character expected of a purpose-built military instrument, with a highly legible white dial, oversized Arabic numerals, luminous hands and hour plots, twin registers, and the military Broad Arrow prominently displayed above six o’clock. The dial is additionally signed “INCABLOC,” despite the movement itself not utilizing an Incabloc shock-protection system, a curious but known and documented discrepancy found on these RAN examples. Combining the mechanical appeal of Lemania’s celebrated single-pusher chronograph architecture with an exceptionally uncommon Royal Australian Navy configuration, this Series II HS9 represents a fascinating and seldom-seen chapter in both Lemania and Commonwealth military watch history. SPECS Stock # LMHS39RAN Brand Lemania Style Mono-Pusher Chronograph Model HS9 RAN "Series II" Serial Nº 9X Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial White "Incabloc" Millimeters 38.5 Bracelet Fixed Bonklip Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The exceptional and honest case features light wear throughout, with nominal evidence of prior polishing present. The unsigned crown and single pump pusher are believed to remain original to the watch. The Series II screw-down caseback retains crisp, fully legible military issue markings. The original fixed strap bars remain fully intact. The fixed bonklip stainless steel bracelet is believed to be original to the watch and remains in excellent condition. DIAL & HANDS The original satin white "Incabloc" dial is in exceptionally well-preserved condition, exhibiting nominal wear or marks from age. The tritium lume plots and Arabic numerals all remain fully intact when inspected under UV light and have achieved a lovely cream patina. The original tritium syringe-style hands also exhibit no degradation and match the dial patina perfectly. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning perfectly and keeping time, previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be purchased upon request.