Lemania Series III, RAF Military Issued Single Pusher, 1965

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

An original British Ministry of Defence-issued Lemania 6BB single pusher chronograph built for Royal Air Force service. Lemania occupies a unique place in horological history as one of Switzerland's most important movement manufacturers. Founded in 1884, the company supplied chronograph movements to some of the world's finest watchmakers, including Omega, Patek Philippe and Breguet, while also producing purpose-built military timepieces for armed forces around the world. During the 1960s, the British Ministry of Defence commissioned Lemania to produce robust chronographs to the 6BB specification for use by Royal Air Force pilots and navigators. Featuring a highly legible dial, flyback-style military functionality and the dependable Calibre 2220 movement, these chronographs have become some of the most sought-after British military watches ever produced. What's on Offer This original 1965 Lemania Single Pusher military chronograph is an exceptional example of the iconic RAF-issued 6BB chronograph. Housed in a robust 40mm stainless steel case, it features the correct military caseback engraved /|\ 0552/924-3306 80710 , denoting its British Ministry of Defence issue and Royal Air Force service. The matte black military dial remains beautifully preserved, displaying luminous Arabic numerals at 12 and 6, contrasting white numerals, luminous hour plots and twin recessed chronograph registers for outstanding legibility. The circled T denotes that the lume is tritium. The distinctive broad-arrow emblem above the Incabloc signature identifies the watch as British Government property, making it instantly recognisable to military watch collectors. Powering the watch is Lemania's legendary 17-jewel Calibre 2220 manual-wind chronograph movement, renowned for its reliability, smooth chronograph operation and robust construction. Offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve, it remains one of the finest military chronograph movements of its era. Presented on a brown leather NATO strap, this is an outstanding example of one of Britain's most collectible post-war military chronographs.