These are split-second pocket chronographs, and the red cases (or black cases were also used) allow for the chronographs to be worn on a neck strap.

You can see more of them here -- http://www.onthedash.com/Guide/_Stopwatches/a.Pocket_Chronographs/Reference_11.204/

These were often used by groups staging rallies (which might explain the number on the back, as the rally sanctioning group would have had a set of these timers). Also, when the boxes are closed, it becomes more difficult to adjust or manipulate the clock / stopwatch, so that the folks handling the rally event may not provide improper assistance to particular competitors.

Jeff

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: Hello, I am looking for information about a very interesting and
: beautiful Heuer Leonidas SA Stopwatch I have, or at least to be
: pointed in the right direction as to finding more information
: about the watch. It seems to be a very rare Stopwatch. It's a
: Heuer Leonidas SA 17 Jewels with working case. It has stamped
: and hand engraved numbers. They are:
: 129090
: ISA15GC
: 1295
: 5.76.69GC
: 15AGQ700
: #S4 (can't really tell if it's S4)
: 3.7.71
: 1295X
: Thats all the numbers I can find engraved on the inside of the
: watch casing. The watch has a 12 hour dial, a 60 minute dial and
: a 30 minute dial as well as the seconds and so on.

: The box/case is wooden with a red fabric and a tan soft lining. It
: has metal loops on each side for attaching a strap to it. It
: also has a button on the top so that the watch can be operated
: from. It has "#9" written on the back of the case as
: it must have been the 9th watch in a set of watches. Every
: expert I have shown it to have all said that they feel this
: watch may have some importance. I live near the Indianapolis
: Speedway and one expert said it maybe a late 50's watch from the
: Indy races. Another said that it maybe from Purdue University
: for airplanes or even boats. Either way it has been well taken
: care of.
: https://ibb.co/gXMR4o
: https://ibb.co/mOpkx8
: https://ibb.co/nhCDH8
: https://ibb.co/hM614o
: I don't understand how to get the images to work. I have it listed
: for sale on Ebay and there are a bunch of pictures that you can
: look at. So saying that as an advertisement for it. Just as a
: place where there are plenty of pics. Thank you in advance for
: your help with this!