This is a rare example of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) pocket chronograph circa. 1938, a silver Swiss pocket watch with a chronograph function.The watch was made by Leonidas in 1938 (later to be merged with Heuer). The watch is housed in a German silver case. These watches were allocated to the German Kiegsmarine Artillerietrager; the unit had three each and the watch has the corresponding marks on the back of the case.
Movement – the gilt ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement. The movement has a start, stop and fly back chronograph function with a 30 minute register. The movement has exposed steel work for the chronograph.
Case – the movement comes in a .800 silver open face case, which has a hinged inner, back and snap on bezel. The case is marked on the back with the German military marks and the Navy Artillery code: M. Artl 5443. The case has a smooth plain finish. Inside the case the silver makers marks are present and the serial code 241557, which is repeated inside the watch movement case.
Dial – the white enamel dial has a pair of old luminous hands and a blue steel centre seconds hand, subsidiary seconds hand and register. The dial is calibrated into fifths of a second, and the minute ring has red 24 hour numerals in red. There are also old luminous numbers. The dial has a sub seconds and a thirty minute register. The dial is signed “Leonidas”.
The watch has a plastic glass. The watch measures 50mm wide x 14mm deep. The watch is stem wound / stem set.
*Condition*
It is unusual to find a military watch of this type in such good condition – the rear markings are normally scratched out or removed. The face shows some signs of wear and tear with some discolouration. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
