Alfred Lugrin, a highly skilled watchmaker who trained at Jaeger-LeCoultre, founded his workshop in 1884 in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux — a region long regarded as the heart of traditional Swiss watchmaking. From the very beginning, the company specialized in producing highly complicated pocket watch movements, including repeaters, chronographs, and precision stopwatches.

Between 1928 and 1930, the company officially adopted the name "Lemania Watch Co.," inspired by Lac Léman, the French name for Lake Geneva.

During the economic hardships of the Great Depression, Lemania joined forces with Omega and Tissot to form the SSIH group (Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère), a move that helped secure the future of all three brands. Within the group, Lemania became the primary movement supplier to Omega, a partnership that would go on to shape some of the most important chronographs ever produced.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Lemania developed a series of legendary calibres, most notably the celebrated CH27 movement, later known at Omega as the Calibre 321. This movement would go on to power the Omega Speedmaster and eventually became the first and only mechanical chronograph movement flight-qualified by NASA for manned space missions.

From the 1950s through the 1970s, Lemania also established itself as the sole manufacturer of wrist chronographs issued to the British Armed Forces, including highly regarded models supplied to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force, cementing the brand’s reputation for precision, reliability, and true tool-watch functionality.

Offered here is a handsome Lemania two-register chronograph from the 1930s. The watch features a 37 mm case with a snap-back caseback and olive-shaped pushers, all preserved in fine condition.

The rare black dial is particularly attractive, featuring a mileage scale along the outer rim, cream-coloured Arabic numerals, and a distinctive snail-style Base 1000 scale. The elegant white leaf-shaped hands complete the beautifully balanced design.

This fine chronograph is powered by the hand-wound Lemania Calibre 28.9 and has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.

Early chronographs from historically important manufacturers remain remarkably undervalued in today's market, in our view. Finding this level of rarity, character, and style at such an accessible price point is becoming increasingly difficult. For the collector seeking something beyond the usual suspects, this Lemania offers a tremendous amount of watch for the money.

Specifications:

Lemania Two register Chronograph
37mm steel case with snap back case back , olive pushers
Case No. 64xxx- dating to 1930's
Black “snail “ dial, non luminous and Arabic numerals , with white leaf style hands
Lemania Caliber 28.9 movement
Comes on the photographed Bulang and sons leather strap
Fully serviced by our watchmaker
One-year mechanical warranty
Free worldwide FedEx Priority shipping

Lemania Chronograph cal 28.9 Black Military Dial

Lemania Chronograph cal 28.9 Black Military Dial

Before/after