For sale is this pristine and funky Lemania Automatic Chronograph reference 9803 from the 1970s.

Founded in 1884, Lemania is a Swiss manufacturer that enjoys legendary status, and its legacy lives on today as its movements are still used in watches from many well-known brands.

Lemania produced movements for Omega, most notably for the Speedmaster that Buzz Aldrin wore on the moon. Moreover, the Lemania 5100 and 5012 movements have been officially issued to pilots by NASA and NATO and have been specially designed to withstand more than 7G without wasting time.

In 1972, Lemania first produced the caliber 1341, a simpler variant than the cal. 1340, used by a large number of models from companies like Tissot, Nivada, Wakmann, Hamilton, Bucherer… The same movement ticks inside this very watch, proudly displaying the brand’s name.
It’s hard to believe that this watch is almost 50 years old! Time has been kind to this amazing timepiece. The watch is, as you can see, well preserved and in stunning condition despite its age.

Please read the condition report carefully and refer to the high-resolution pictures to help you assess the overall condition of the watch before you buy Lemania Chronograph.

MODEL / REFERENCE: Lemania automatic Chronograph ref. 9803.

 DIAL: The midnight blue sunburst dial is outstanding and a bliss to look at. Aesthetically, the palette on this chronograph is insanely colorful: From its matte grey subdials, crisp white imprint, to a black rehaut and silver raised indexes. This interesting mix of colors isn’t purely aesthetical; it helps spot the different functions this busy dial has to offer at a single glance: Reading time, Elapsed time thanks to two central hands and one subdial at 6 o’clock, a framed date window at 3 o’clock and a Contrasting Tachymeter scale.
The faceted applied hour markers are set with perfectly intact Tritium lume dots and start to take a creamy warm patina. The Tritium glows when activated under UV light, then fades off.

HANDS: The handset is completely original and well preserved; The Tritium stripes of the black and white hour and minute hands are intact, matching perfectly the color of the index lume dots.
The eminently useful central chronograph minute hand  recorder has an airplane-shaped tip to distinguish it from the seconds hand which are both black and neon orange adding a warm touch and a bit of reading ease.

CASE: The seventies blessed us with a wide selection of funky case designs that came in all shapes and sizes. This present watch is no exception. With a two part, waterproof tonneau-shaped steel case measuring a modern 39 mm in diameter and 44 mm from lug to lug. This beauty snugs into the wrist and wears comfortably without compromising its wrist presence. The case does not seem to have ever been polished; keeping razor sharp edges and original brushed finish and has no major dents or scratches. It shows signs of use consistent with the age of the watch resulting in some superficial scratches throughout.

CASEBACK:  The 6 notches, screw down stainless steel caseback is fairly well preserved, retaining its original brushed finish and displaying some hairline scratches throughout.
The inner side is stamped with a crisp engraving in French indicating the case material. The watch’s reference number can be seen underneath it.

CRYSTAL: The original plexiglass crystal is well preserved and displays only minor surface scratches.

CROWN+PUSHERS: The crown is correct to the watch despite being unsigned and operates flawlessly.
The pump Pushers are in good condition, working properly, from starting, stopping to resetting to zero without any issues.

MOVEMENT: The watch is powered by a workhorse, 17 jewel, Lemania cal. 1341, a self-winding, cam lever chronograph with a quickset date function.
An impressive movement, both technically and visually, the minute recorder for the chronograph is not presented in a subdial, but as a separate minute hand that sweeps around the dial. The subdials in this calibre are an hour recorder at six, and running seconds at nine ‘o clock
The movement is freshly serviced thus it winds smoothly, runs strongly and keeps excellent time.
All the chronograph functions are working flawlessly, both the seconds and minute recording hands reset to zero perfectly.

BRACELET: The watch is fitted with new millanaise / mesh bracelet. Upon request, I can also be shipped with the Black Corfam, rallye style strap shown on the pictures and an unsigned pin buckle.

ACCESSORIES: ChronoScope Saffiano Leather watch roll

This configuration offers a unique advantage: A central minute chronograph with its two central minute and second hands makes reading elapsed time incredibly intuitive, since the eye immediately recognizes the position of the minute hand on the dial, unlike reading a small 30-minute secondary dial. We are therefore talking about a mechanical caliber which, associated with a specifically well-designed dial, offers its user a wealth of information.

The price is 2,480 CHF (Swiss Franc) or best reasonable offer plus shipping at actual cost. Low ball offers will be politely ignored.
Watch and I are in Switzerland.
Feel free to ask questions, I will be glad to answer.

WARRANTY: We guarantee the authenticity of the watch. We also provide a 6 months guarantee for the correct function of this vintage timepiece.  All guarantees are subject to the General Terms and conditions.

Please feel free to ask questions, we will be glad to answer. Virtual or face-to-face viewing is available by appointment.