A Vintage Lemania Single/Mono-Pusher Chronograph, Military Royal Navy Issued Wrist Watch. 0552/920-33056519. c.1940s. 

Lemania (named for Lake Geneva - Le Lac Leman in French) is probably the most illustrious of the watch manufacturer’s that have now ceased to exist. Founded in 1883 by self-taught watch-maker Alfred Lugrin, the company has earned a place in the heart of many a vintage watch enthusiast, specialising from the very beginning in making high quality chronographs, repeaters and stopwatches. 

Lemania single pusher chronographs were issued to British military servicemen between 1945 and 1976. This particular example is a Royal Navy issue, identified by its model reference number, 0552/920-33056519, engraved on the case back along with the military arrow or ‘Pheon’.

The stainless steel case (round rather than later asymmetrical version) has a width of 38.5mm, making this a large watch for the period. The watch also has fixed lug bars and a screw back case. 

This black dialed reference has white Arabic numerals save for 12 and 6, which are painted in Tritium lume and have gone a beautiful tobacco or as some prefer to call it, pumpkin colour matching the 5 minute marker dots. The watch has a 2-register chronograph complication and small Military Pheon in white, located just beneath the centre point. 

The watch is powered by the famous and much admired Lemania 17 jewelled, Calibre 15CHT movement with column wheel chronograph. The single button/pusher is fairly atypical and starts, stops and resets the chronograph (stopwatch function).

This much sought after piece of British military history is highly collectible and will be supplied on a brand new NATO fabric strap, in your colour choice. 

What’s on offer:

These watches were issued from Military stores and without any box or papers but we will supply it with our luxury leather travel/storage pouch to keep it safe as it is in excellent condition for its age.

Bought from the family of the original owner who we think inherited it from another family member who was issued it during his service years, so a one family owned and highly cherished watch in stunning vintage condition which has aged and taken a wonderful and even pumpkin patina.

The watch runs perfectly well and keeps great time!

Additional information

Made from

Case: Stainless steel. 

Dial: Black. 

Crystal: Plexiglas.

Bracelet: This watch will be supplied on a new, NATO fabric strap in your choice of colours.

Technical specifications

Winding: Manually wound. 

Movement type: Mechanical hand wound

Calibre: Lemania, 15CHT movement. 

Jewels: 17.

Waterproof: Designed to be water resistant.

Power reserve:

Purchase details

Condition: Excellent - 9/10

Model Reference Number: 0552/920-33056519.

Date of issue: 1945-1950. 

Guarantee

Supplied with a 12-month Vintage Watch Specialist guarantee. 

Dimensions

Width: 38.5mm.

Lug width: 20mm.

Lug height (lug to lug): 46mm

Wrist size: Adjustable.