Lemania 'Tropical Tuxedo'

Lemania, founded in 1884, is one of the leading movement manufacturers of the 20th century. Responsible for some of the most highly revered movements in horological history, its finely wrought ébauches have formed the basis of classic calibres from the likes of Omega and Patek Philippe. In addition to developing some of the most noteworthy chronograph movements of the past hundred years, however, Lemania also offered its own line of handsome time-only watches. This 1940s/1950s 'Calatrava'-style timepiece is a fine example: Housed in a 33.5mm stainless steel case with an unsigned crown, a smooth bezel, and a domed acrylic crystal, it features a beautifully patinated 'tuxedo' dial with an outer black chapter ring; a silvered minute track; patinaed 'Arabic' indices; a aged patinaed 'syringe' handset; a sub-seconds display at 6 o'clock; and an inner sector in a lovely coffee-like tone. Powered by a hand-wound Lemania movement secured behind a screw-down caseback and paired to a 18mm leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle, this wonderfully preserved piece calls back to the golden age of mechanical watchmaking. Who wouldn't be delighted to wear such a handsome watch in the 2020s?