Lemania, military watch made for the Czech Republic Air Force Made circa 1939.
Fine, center second, cushion shaped, water-resistant, stainless steel.
Case: Polished, screw-down case back, lapidated bezel and lugs. No exterior markings.
Black with luminous Arabic numerals. Luminous baton hands. and railroad minute indicator.
Movement: Rhodium plated, 17 jewels, manual wind, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring.
Serial: 446XXX
Circa 1939
Size: 39mm Thickness: 9mm
More about Lemania:
In March 1939, The Nazis finalized their invasion of what was left of the Czech Republic and declared the formation of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, a new Pro Nazi government is established directly under the control of Berlin. Many Czech Air Force pilots wanted to continue combatting the Nazi regime by joining the Polish Air Force but were channeled into France due to an initial lack of interest from Poland. Among the most-known pilots were those who joined the forces of the RAF of the United Kingdom and its allies following the Fall of France. With the UK realizing the grave and growing dangers posed by a well-armed and well-seasoned Luftwaffe , the need for pilots and personnel was immense.
It is in this context that the Czech Republic in exile commissioned military watches from three Swiss manufacturers; Eterna, Longines and Lemania with similar specifications. A very large dial with arabic numerals. Lemania and Eterna had their reference fitted with large sweep hands for better legibility and were most coveted than the longines with a small second hand at 6. Watches had the engraving "MAJESTEK VOJENSKE SPRAVY" with issue number starting with a D or S , others had only the issue numbers with the two swords, a Czech Air force symbol. These watches were never sold to civilians.
This particular watch is in impeccable condition with a unpolished case. Dial and hands appeared untouched and unstained. The lack of engraving on the back coupled with the extraordinary condition of the watch makes us deduct that the watch was never issued for service and was most probably kept as stock by the Czech or the manufacture. This is a great opportunity to grab a time capsule of a rare large size classic military watch.
