This is a rare Royal Air force issued single-button Lemania chronograph. These watches were originally ordered by the Navy for pilots and navigators in the late 1940s and in the early 1950s the RAF also ordered some for themselves. This watch is part of that order, identifiable as such from the engraving on the caseback: A.M. / 6B / 551 273 / 53 Breaking this down: A.M. stands for "Air Ministry" which was an old fashioned designation for the Royal Air Force; 6B denotes a piece of equipment for use in-flight; 551 is the identifier for this type of chronograph wristwatch with a single button. 273 is the identifier for this particular watch (i.e. it's 273rd watch in the order) and 53 references 1953, which is the year the order was placed. 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.The condition of both the dial and movement is excellent - testament how well constructed the case is. The size at 38mm is large for a 1950s watch, but well suited to contemporary tastes. The case is all stainless steel and is in very good order - a few marks from wear but overall very tidy. As with all our vintage watches the case has been ultrasonically cleaned, but not polished.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 serviced and regulated, the chronograph functions perfectly and the time keeping is of the highest order. It is supplied with what I believe is the original, issued NATO fabric strap.Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 38mmCase material: stainless steelstrap width: 20mmtime keeping: grade A+
