Lemania HS9

£ 2,950
This is a Royal Navy issued single-button Lemania chronograph, these watches were first ordered by the Navy for pilots and navigators in the late 1940s and Lemania continued supplying them until the early 1960s. The watch evolved over the years, but this watch is part of the first style. There was a later modification to the case back and also a further change to the case, these are referred to as Series I, II and III, this is a Series I

The dial is original and one of the early ones as it predate's the Incabloc shock protection on the movement. It's developed a nice even patina, without becoming too distressed.


The single button operates the chronograph (stop-watch function) - the button in turn starts, stops and resets the chronograph. There is an elapsed minute counter, which allows for timing intervals up to 30 minutes.

The condition of both the dial and movement is good - there is some patina on the dial commensurate with age, but the movement is clean and is running very well. The case is all stainless steel and is in good order - a few marks from wear but overall very tidy. As with all our vintage watches the case has been ultrasonically cleaned, but not polished.

The case back has the original military markings: HS /|\ 9 stands for Hydrographic Service, so for Naval issue the /|\ is called the broad arrow (or pheon) and denotes crown property, 9 is the stores code for a chronograph wristwatch, then 5722 is the unique number of this watch. This original stores code is crossed out and the later NATO stores reference number is engraved (0552/924 for chronograph wristwatch and 3305 for white dial).

Lemania supplied many different armed forces around the world - their movements are very solidly constructed and keep excellent time, making them a good fit for a life in the services. Lemania are something of a cult brand - no longer in existence today, but much cherished by aficionados. The company specialised in the production of chronographs (that is watches with a stop-watch function built in). Chronographs are inherently complicated things to manufacture and for this reason many watch companies brought-in movements from specialists like Lemania. They supplied amongst others Omega (the movement that powered the first watch on the moon was made by Lemania), and luxury brands Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. Because Lemania often supplied movements to other brands (for which they were uncredited), watches which are signed by Lemania are especially prized.

The watch has been fully serviced and regulated, the chronograph functions perfectly and the time keeping is of the highest order. It is supplied with a reproduction of the original type of fabric strap (nb this type of strap doesn't have holes punched, you simply push the buckle pin through the fabric, which makes it infinitely adjustable), this is a great watch for everyday use.

Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 38mm
Case material: stainless steel
strap width: 20mm
time keeping: grade A

We aim to dispatch all watch orders within 2-3 working days, where this isn't possible, we will try to inform you via email.

When your order is dispatched your tracking details will be updated.

Please allow extra processing time for watches with a customised engraving or strap, during busy sales periods this can sometimes take an extra 5-10 working days.

If you are in a hurry for your watch, please email us.

Shipping guide for watches:

UK: FREE DPD shipping, 1-2 working days
United States & Canada: FREE Fedex shipping, 1-3 working days
The EU: FREE DHL Express shipping, 1-3 working days

Click here to see the full shipping guide for watches

Shipping guide for straps (unless purchased with a watch): 

Free Royal Mail 1st Class / International tracked shipping, 2-14 working days depending on location. You can see a more accurate timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

Shipping guide for t-shirts

All t-shirts on our website are now printed and shipped by an external supplier inside the UK. This means that if you place an order for both a watch and a t-shirt, they will be shipped separately.

Our supplier uses a Royal Mail tracked service for all shipments and this usually takes a little longer than our watches. You can see an estimated timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

 

Please note, during busy sale periods dispatch may take a little longer (this is quite rare). These delivery times are a guide based on the carriers terms of service, products may, in some unusual cases take longer to arrive. If this happens, please get in touch. 

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