Below is the list of Wishlist from 2018. I have managed to find a Rolex Jump Hour Doctor watch and a Bamboo bezel Rolex 1603 and I am making progress on the search for a Lemania Nuclear submarine chronograph.
Lemania Series III Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine Non-Lume Chronograph c.1964
These very rare and special watches were issued to crew of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines from the early 1960s until around 1990.
For safety reasons, the radiation levels onboard nuclear submarines needed to be constantly monitored. Consequently, no luminous material was applied to the dial and hands of these chronographs so as not to affect the readings of the onboard radiation monitoring equipment.
Other than the absence of any luminous material, the Lemania Series III chronographs issued to crew of the Royal Navy’s nuclear fleet were essentially the same as those issued to pilots of the Fleet Air Arm.
The Lemania Series III differs from its earlier predecessors in that it features an asymmetrical case with an integrated crown and pusher and is powered by a rhodium-plated shock-resistant version of the 15CHT known as the calibre 2220.
The vast majority of the Lemania Series III watches issued to the Royal Navy were assigned the NATO stock number 0552/924-3306. However, and as can be seen with the example for sale, the watches issued to nuclear submarine crew had the last four digits replaced with the number “3312”, which refers to the dial and hands being non-luminous.
The single button on the side of the watch operates the chronograph (stopwatch) function. When the button is pushed it starts the centre second hand. Pressing the button again stops the hand and pressing it a third time resets the hand back to the twelve o’clock position. There is an elapsed minute counter, which allows for timing intervals of up to 30 minutes.
Sadly, the Lemania watch company is no longer in existence but it has become something of a cult brand in recent years and its watches are very much cherished by collectors. Lemania supplied a number of different armed forces from all over the world. Their movements are extremely well made and are renowned for keeping excellent time, making them a good fit for a rugged life in the services.
Lemania specialised in the production of chronographs (watches with a built-in stopwatch function). 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.
It is believed only a few hundred Lemania Series III Non-Lume Chronographs were ever issued and good original examples are very rare and seldom offered for sale. The watch for sale, therefore, represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly prized and special collector’s piece.
This is an extremely rare Royal Navy issued single-button Lemania chronograph. What makes this watch particularly rare and distinctive is that it was issued for use on board a nuclear submarine. For this reason the dial and handset features no luminous compound, which would have been radium based and so could have interfered with the radiation sensors on-board.These Nuclear Submariner’s chronographs were produced in very small numbers and are one of the most highly sought after of all military watches.
The watch has its original dial, handset and movement and they’re in superb condition. The case is all stainless steel and is in very good order - a few scratches and marks from wear, to be expected from a tool-watch. As with all our vintage watches the case has been ultrasonically cleaned, but not polished.
The case back has the original military markings: 0552/924 is the stores code for a chronograph wristwatch, 3306 denotes a black, luminous dial. This is stuck out and re-engraved with 3312 which is the code for the Nuclear Submariner’s chronograph with no luminous compound and a white dial. The number below, 80022 is the unique identifier for this particular watch.
There are no records that I’ve seen for the total number of Nuclear Submariner’s chronographs issued, but the nuclear submarine fleet was small and so obviously the overall issue was small too. These watches would only have been issued to those whose job on-board involved making timing observations.
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.
Lemania supplied chronographs for the Royal Navy for use by pilots and navigators in the late 1940s and Lemania continued supplying them until the early 1960s. The watches evolved over the years. This watch is part of the third series style as it features the distinctive asymmetric case style, designed to protect the pusher and crown from accidental damage.
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 rugged 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 NATO fabric strap. This is an expensive watch for sure, but an investment that can be worn and enjoyed. Prices of these have been increasing year on year as they are simply not available to buy very often.
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