Leonidas Watch - 1940 Vintage, any Info?
Hi,
I inherited my Grandfathers watch a few years ago. It had been serviced prior and was a wedding gift.
It means a lot to me due to my Grandad and I being close, it was the only watch he owned and he wore it every day without fail.
I dont know much history about it, and would love to know more about these but the internet seems a bit sparse. I have pinned it to around 1945 manufacture.
He served on the British railway for his whole career and was in the Navy during WW2. I dont suppose either of these would have issued this? There is a couple of Google image results suggesting that these may have been Navy issue?
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Dario
Professional Pessimist / Omega / Seiko / G Shock
Derby
Member since
Last active: 4 days ago
have you cone across this?
https://thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/121576-leonidas-watches/
have you cone across this?
https://thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/121576-leonidas-watches/
Yes, just a few minutes ago actually! I can find models with a single complication but this has 2. I think it may be a bit later than 1945 looking into it a bit more. Still old though!
Yes, just a few minutes ago actually! I can find models with a single complication but this has 2. I think it may be a bit later than 1945 looking into it a bit more. Still old though!
Indeed - there is not much on Leonidas online. I appreciate there are quite a few complications on your watch, but it hopefully might help you start looking.
Heuer merged with Leonidas in 1964. (EDIT: typo in date, I blame the keyboard)
https://www.calibre11.com/history-heuer-iv-1960s/
Indeed - there is not much on Leonidas online. I appreciate there are quite a few complications on your watch, but it hopefully might help you start looking.
Heuer merged with Leonidas in 1964. (EDIT: typo in date, I blame the keyboard)
https://www.calibre11.com/history-heuer-iv-1960s/
Cheers. Its an interesting rabbit hole for sure. It wears really small on me, im used to G Shocks and my Seiko Turtle!
Leonidas was established in Switzerland in 1841. In 1912, the company was purchased by a Mr. Jenneret-Droz, one of the three sons of the owner of Excelsior Park, an august but defunct name in Swiss watch production which went out during the Quartz Crisis, although the name has recently been revived in connection with a new start up. Leonideas specialized in quality chronographs. In 1964, Leonidas merged with Heuer and many movements of the combined Heuer-Leonidas had the Heuer name on the dial and the Leonidas name on the movement or vice versa. When the Quartz Crisis hit, Heuer-Leonidas manufactured private label chronographs in the early 1970s for the likes of Dugena (then the largest brand in Germany long owned by Alpina, Fortis and BWC), Sears (yes that Sears) and others. These private labeled watches are sometimes affectionately referred as “poor man’s Heuer’s” as they sell in the vintage market for a fraction of the same watch with Heuer branding. If you pop the case backs of these watches, the movements are marked Heuer or Heuer-Leonidas. Leonidas in and of itself was a high quality brand and, leaving aside the connection with your grandfather, you have a watch worth treasuring from a horological standpoint.
That looks to be a model from the 50's with a Landeron 48 movement.
Beautiful example of the pre-Heuer era with huge Big Eyes staring right at you 😃.
The fact that it was your Granfathers makes it amazingly special ⌚👌.
That is SO beautiful. Perfect patina. And that it belonged to your grandfather is just so special.
Wouldnt know at all but I can say that its a looker. Make sure you protect that with your life. Amazing piece. 👌