Lemania (named for Lake Geneva - Le Lac Leman in French) is probably the most illustrious of the watch manufacturers that have now ceased to exist. Founded in 1883 by self-taught watchmaker 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. 

Fleet Air Arm, between 1945 and 1976, these Lemania "single button" chronographs were considered some of the most exceptional instruments of their day. 

What’s on offer

The stainless steel case has a width of 38mm, a large watch for the period, and features fixed lug bars and a sturdy screw-back case. 

This excellent black-dialled reference has Broad Arrow and Tritium T, white Arabic numerals, and luminous 12 and 6, which have gone a beautiful tobacco hue. White outer minute divisions with luminous dot 5-minute markers, subsidiary dials at 3 and 9 for seconds and 30-minute recording, white syringe hands with luminous inserts, and centre chronograph hand. 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 collectable, it is also much rarer to find the AM 6B marked versions as opposed to the slightly more common HS9 and 0552 engraved watches! The British military issue numbers on this watch indicate A.M. - that the watch was procured by the Air Ministry and 6b - that the watch was issued for the Royal Air Force. the watch also has a very low issue number (125) for the year 1953

The watch will be supplied on a new NATO-style strap, of your choice. 

These watches were issued from Military stores and therefore without any box or papers as such but we will supply it with our luxury leather travel/storage pouch to keep it safe as it is in excellent condition as you can no doubt see from the images.