I need help from the Watchcrunch community :)

Hello everyone! I'm actually in need of some advice regarding this vintage Lemania 105 18k rose-gold chronograph that I've had my eye on for a while now. Firstly the movement. The seller lists it as the Lemania 105 movement. From my own research, I deduced that it is the Lemania CH27 movement, which I believe to be the base for the Omega Cal 321, used in the original Moonwatch. But then again, I'm not confident enough to pull the trigger on it as I have no clue on the servicing side of things. What should I look for in terms of maintaining this beautiful piece long-term? Would it be wise of me to take the plunge? Would parts be an issue? I would love to hear from the enthusiasts! Thanks in advance! 

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I think that you have the right movement.  It was used for a long time so there should be parts out there.

I have a lot of old watches but only one vintage chronograph. I shy away from them because I can't fix them and the watchmakers in my area don't want to touch them.  Every complication is another thing that can go wrong.  In a 50+ year old watch it is not a matter of if, but when.

It is a beautiful watch.

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I think it’s a 1270 / 1275 or 6 if it has the shock protection. I think the CH27 went into other brands watches as it had some additional features, but for Lemania branded watches it was more 127x series but I could be very wrong there. Well known type of movement for the time, but spares are limited, as too are donors.

I second @Aurelian - these are potential nightmares for maintenance due to age and complication. As much as I like, I usually walk because I just see these as bottomless money pits and I’ve been bitten before. Do you have a good watch repairer you‘ve used, because I would ask them about their views on potential repairs before you drop on it? Cracking watch though - really nice.

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Every single vintage thread, @Aurelian and @chronotriggered:

Best Toothpicks Rainman GIFs | Gfycat
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Aurelian

I think that you have the right movement.  It was used for a long time so there should be parts out there.

I have a lot of old watches but only one vintage chronograph. I shy away from them because I can't fix them and the watchmakers in my area don't want to touch them.  Every complication is another thing that can go wrong.  In a 50+ year old watch it is not a matter of if, but when.

It is a beautiful watch.

Definitely great words of advice! I’m a sucker for vintage chronographs but I have the same issue of watchmakers unwilling to touch them. If only we live in a perfect world… I echo your opinion, it is a stunning piece! Thank you for your comment, good sir! 🙏

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Porthole

I think it’s a 1270 / 1275 or 6 if it has the shock protection. I think the CH27 went into other brands watches as it had some additional features, but for Lemania branded watches it was more 127x series but I could be very wrong there. Well known type of movement for the time, but spares are limited, as too are donors.

I second @Aurelian - these are potential nightmares for maintenance due to age and complication. As much as I like, I usually walk because I just see these as bottomless money pits and I’ve been bitten before. Do you have a good watch repairer you‘ve used, because I would ask them about their views on potential repairs before you drop on it? Cracking watch though - really nice.

I did not know about the 1270+ movement references at all, thank you on the insight! I’ll dive in deeper on those! As for watchmakers, again, I do not have any that are willing to handle a vintage Lemania. I’ve been to my usual guys and they aren’t keen on taking on the task hahaha. I’m still in the hunt for one actually, I’ll give a holler if I do find one. I like your analogy of bottomless money pits ha! Thanks for the feedback, kind sir, appreciate it!🥳

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Mr.Dee.Bater

Every single vintage thread, @Aurelian and @chronotriggered:

Best Toothpicks Rainman GIFs | Gfycat

Right?! I was counting on @chronotriggered to leave his insightful opinion but I did not expect @Aurelian. I now know who to buzz on vintage pieces hehe😜

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ManthraMaximus

Right?! I was counting on @chronotriggered to leave his insightful opinion but I did not expect @Aurelian. I now know who to buzz on vintage pieces hehe😜

We are just the first wave. You are really waiting for the heavy hitters like @MrBloke and @SimplyVintageWatches .  There are also people who know more than they let on (@Davemcc) and who know more than just a narrow range (@AlbertaTime).  Eventually, I hope that WC is as deep as some other forums.

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I’m worried I’m seen as some knowledgeable figure when I am just a mad man with a watch back removing tool and a thirst for breaking things. Oh well.

@MelvinHollenberg is also a guy who knows his onions

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No, it's not the CH27. The movements used in Lemania 105 models were from the cal.127X (1270,1275, 1276) family. The layout is similar, but they're completely different movements. For starters, the 127X are cam-switching (CH27 has a column wheel chrono), have a lower power reserve and - if I recall correctly - have a flat hairspring, while the CH27 has a Breguet overcoil.

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@MrBloke is right. Almost all Lemania 105 chronos I've seen have the 1275 movement which uses a KIF shock protection system while the CH27 uses Incabloc. I paid about $250 to have it serviced and I had to source a few parts for the watchmaker (these aren't cheap either and are harder to find every day).

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Aurelian

We are just the first wave. You are really waiting for the heavy hitters like @MrBloke and @SimplyVintageWatches .  There are also people who know more than they let on (@Davemcc) and who know more than just a narrow range (@AlbertaTime).  Eventually, I hope that WC is as deep as some other forums.

I like turtles. 

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Davemcc

I like turtles. 

Movements are for nerds, that's what I say.

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Aurelian

Movements are for nerds, that's what I say.

The rest of us dummies just like 'em when the dials are pretty!  

Seriously though. I'm confident that I know more about watches than 99.99% of the people in the world, but the gap between me and that last 0.01% is vast...

Aurelian

We are just the first wave. You are really waiting for the heavy hitters like @MrBloke and @SimplyVintageWatches .  There are also people who know more than they let on (@Davemcc) and who know more than just a narrow range (@AlbertaTime).  Eventually, I hope that WC is as deep as some other forums.

@Aurelian Thank you for such undeserved consideration 🙏☺️😅😃.

@ManthraMaximus I took my time to go through a Lemania folder information I've kepped from snooping around online while learning from others.

Your maybe soon to be watch, is potentially special. The Lemania branded 105 collection was made to be more affordable because it indeed does have a CAM operated movement vs. it's more "complicated" column wheel counterpart (note: sometimes there is more 'complexity' involved in simplifiying a movement than over enginering one).

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The watch is right and correct in terms of dial and movement. The case thow deserves our attention 😃. This 18k Sports Chronograph model was mostly released in a 32.5mm diameter. You're looking at the very uncommon 37.5mm version 😉. 

I'm sure the seller doesn't know that unless he's lurking around here on WatchCrunch 👀😂.

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If I could, this would make a fine addition to my collection!

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Its a pretty landmine. Kinda like an old house. Hole in the ground you throw money into......... but its so pretty.

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I woke up to this huge influx of knowledge from the WC community! The day hasn't even started for me yet, but damn, it's gonna be a great one! I would like to personally thank @chronotriggered @Aurelian @SimplyVintageWatches @MrBloke @MelvinHollenberg for their much appreciated insight and knowledge into this beautiful Lemania. It is truly a privilege to be able to meet like- minded enthusiasts ( madmen 🤣🤣🤣 ) that share and discuss over history, essentially. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and my apologies for not being able to reply to each individual comment, there's a lot of em! 😂🙏🏼

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@SimplyVintageWatches has now given me an itch by saying how special this watch is. Oh no, there goes my wallet again! I'll definitely post an update if I do pull the trigger on this beauty😉🤞🏼

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ds760476

The rest of us dummies just like 'em when the dials are pretty!  

Seriously though. I'm confident that I know more about watches than 99.99% of the people in the world, but the gap between me and that last 0.01% is vast...

Well articulated comment there, I feel the same good sir!

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SimplyVintageWatches

@Aurelian Thank you for such undeserved consideration 🙏☺️😅😃.

@ManthraMaximus I took my time to go through a Lemania folder information I've kepped from snooping around online while learning from others.

Your maybe soon to be watch, is potentially special. The Lemania branded 105 collection was made to be more affordable because it indeed does have a CAM operated movement vs. it's more "complicated" column wheel counterpart (note: sometimes there is more 'complexity' involved in simplifiying a movement than over enginering one).

Image

The watch is right and correct in terms of dial and movement. The case thow deserves our attention 😃. This 18k Sports Chronograph model was mostly released in a 32.5mm diameter. You're looking at the very uncommon 37.5mm version 😉. 

I'm sure the seller doesn't know that unless he's lurking around here on WatchCrunch 👀😂.

Image

If I could, this would make a fine addition to my collection!

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You've made my day good sir, thank you!

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OldSnafu

Its a pretty landmine. Kinda like an old house. Hole in the ground you throw money into......... but its so pretty.

Exactly! Modern chronographs just can't match these beauties though😉😂