Lemania Series 2, Military HS9 Single Pusher Chrono, circa 1960s

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Well-Preserved Lemania HS9 Single Pusher Chrono in Original Condition with Tritium Lume and Military Engravings - c.1960s Founded in 1884 , Lemania became one of the most respected movement manufacturers of the 20th century, renowned for producing robust, highly precise chronographs. The brand has strong military ties, supplying watches and movements to armed forces and aviation units across Europe, including notable collaborations with the British military. Lemania chronographs were valued for their reliability, legibility and durability under demanding conditions, earning the brand a lasting reputation for purpose-built tool watches that remain highly regarded by collectors today. What's on Offer This Lemania Series 2 HS9 is a genuine military chronograph from the 1960s , clearly identified by the broad arrow on the dial and the corresponding HS9 engraving on the case back — the British Ministry of Defence designation for - specific military issued wristwatches, which we will explain below in a little more detail. The HS9 reference denotes a chronograph supplied specifically for air ministry use, where legibility, reliability and precision timing were essential. HS9 on this type of military watch was designated to the Hydrographic Service (or Supplies), with the number 9 being the Royal Navy's stores code specification for a wristwatch chronograph. These watches were primarily issued to pilots and navigators of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, especially during the 1940s and extending into the 1960s. The "HS" codes (HS1 through HS11) were British Admiralty codes for various timepieces, with different numbers referring to different types, such as deck watches or chronometers. Some collectors we source/sell watches to make it there mission to collect all the different coded watches HS1 through to HS11, thus forming another set, like the Fab Four and Dirty Dozen Watch Sets! Many watches with the original HS9 marking later had this code crossed out and a NATO stock number (NSN), such as 0552/924-3305, engraved in its place when they were re-issued in the post-war era, however, this particular watch has survived in its original condition. The clean white dial also remains in very attractive condition, showing only minimal blemishes, and retains its original tritium lume , indicated by the circled “T” beneath the Lemania signature. The luminous material on the hour plots and syringe hands has aged evenly, giving the watch a warm, authentic vintage character. The bi-compax chronograph layout allows elapsed time to be measured via the central chronograph seconds hand, activated by the single pusher at 2 o’clock, with the sub-dials recording running seconds and elapsed minutes. Housed in a stainless steel case showing honest wear consistent with age and use, this manually wound Lemania is a superb example of a true military-issued pilot’s chronograph, valued for its historical importance as much as its understated tool-watch appeal.