Vintage
HSTE's acquisition of the Lemania Tg 195 'Tre Kronor' brings to light a fascinating piece of military horology. This article delves into the unique features of this Swedish army watch, particularly its specialized Lemania 2225 movement and its historical significance for synchronization.
The Tg 195 "Tre Kronor" does not need much of an introduction in this forum. It is a Lemania "single pusher" watch, powered by the Lemania 2225 (based on the 2220). These watches were specifically made for - and the movements adapted to the requirements of - the Swedish army, probably the artillery units. They appear to have been in use between 1954 and 1970, but probably even beyond 1970.
The specificity of the custom made calibre 2225 was the fact that pushing the pusher does two things: 1) reset the second hand to "zero" and 2) push out the crown so that the watch stops. If one then pushes the crown back in, the watch restarts including the second hand. This mechanism allowed a group of people to reset/synchronise their watches all at the exact same time to the second.
This watch is from 1966 and it ticks a few essential boxes for me: condition, originality, military background, specialty movement, innovative case design.
Enjoy the pictures.
Cheers, HSTE
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark XI is a historically significant pilot's watch produced for the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the 'Mark XI' specification. It was one of several brands, including IWC, to supply watches meeting these stringent requirements for air navigation. These watches were designed for extreme legibility, robustness, and accuracy, serving as essential tools for RAF navigators.
Equipped with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 488/SBr, a manually wound movement, the Mark XI features a hacking seconds function for precise synchronization. The movement is housed within a soft iron inner case for anti-magnetic protection, a critical feature for aviation instruments. The stainless steel case typically measures around 36mm in diameter, with a fixed bezel and a screw-down case back, ensuring durability and water resistance suitable for military use.
For collectors, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark XI represents a pinnacle of military watch design and functional horology. Its clean, utilitarian aesthetic, combined with its robust construction and historical provenance, makes it highly sought after. The watch's enduring appeal lies in its direct connection to post-war aviation and its embodiment of purpose-built design.
Cheers, HSTE
And yes great gentleman and friend...great decision to take over dear friend! Congrats Sincerely D
Cheers, HSTE
I need either same camera or same phone as you...or maybe photography training with you ....lovely panoramic shots Cheers D
This thread is active on the Horological Meandering forum with 31 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
