Three 1340's

[danomar]

I finally got my Croton back from the shop and, after playing with straps and bracelets, thought I would share my small 1340 collection:





I am increasingly finding that the 1340 suits me better than the 5100 series. The size is right for smaller wrists—or at least the cases that usually house this movement—and I really like the asymmetric dial. The variety of dials and cases used for this movement are also much more diverse than those used for the 5100 series, evidenced by these three examples. The only thing I wish the 1340 had is the ability to stop the movement when setting time. I never thought it would be important, but in my profession it helps to have a timepiece set precisely.

Enjoy!
-Daniel

[DaveS]

Nice grouping, interesting pieces those. Thanks for sharing them with us Daniel.

The Tissot especially looks to be in very tidy nick. Yumm

My Tissot says Hi



I am a big fan too, it is a great movement. However, I am not totally sure that the range of cases for the 1340 movements are as broad as those for the 5100.

Sure, the Fortis B42 Lemania LE is big, but at 38mm diameter, Fortis Cosmonauts are not.

Conversely, your Tissot case probably outweighs most of the 5100 examples I have owned, in size and mass, other than the Fortis and the Sinn 142 style of case.

5100s do often come in rather utilitatrian cases, but some are quite dressy. This one is mine, 39mm, and not really a military piece



It is a shame that the 1340 was so quickly superceded by the 5100, it was used by Omega a mere 4 years after the 1340 series hit the market, and being cheaper, with a few extra features, the 1340 was always destined to be used in a much more exclusive range of watches.

It has always amazed me how little examples can be picked up for.

Anyway, thanks again for posting, and well done on your fine taste in movements.

Dave

[ATG]

Nice watches... love the Tissot and the BWC hands.... very cool...

[Pascal S]

That's quite an interesting trio you got there, with my preference going towards the Tissot which has one of my all time favourite case shapes. Yours has the added benefit of the rare black on black dial. I used to own one example with a black on white dial that I sold when it got lucky enough to acquire its amazingly beautiful Lemania cousin.

Originally Posted by danomar

I am increasingly finding that the 1340 suits me better than the 5100 series. The size is right for smaller wrists—or at least the cases that usually house this movement—and I really like the asymmetric dial.l

That's an interesting observation, though I believe it is actually unfounded as far as size is concerned. Your three chronographs, while not enormous, are actually larger than many Lemania 5100 powered watches. I know the Tissot, but I also know very well the case of your Croton, as it was later used by Omega for their FIFA chrono, Heuer for their blue-dialed Cortina, and Lemania for a small series of watches.

As Dave already pointed out, there were many lesser-known Lemania 5100 watches that were actually smaller than any of your watches. The Paul Picot Telemark (the smallest Lemania 5100 chrono ever made), the Eberhard Champion, the Revue-Thommen Airspeed, or the Fortis Official Cosmonauts all were more compact in size.

[danomar]

Pascal, I love your blue Lemania! And I agree that the black-on-black Navigator is special. It is possibly my favorite watch of all. The case and dial are simply wonderful and unique.

I appreciate all clarification about cases and movement sizes. After I wrote the original post, I began to wonder if the 1340 was not as large if not larger than the 5100. Insofar as cases go, it seemed that there were a wider variety of cases used with the 1340/1 than the 5100, but you and Dave reminded me of many different 5100 cases.

I am happy to be corrected and learn from the masters!

[X vintage]

Excellent 1340s!! I really looove this movement...

My Sicura with cal. 1341 sends regards.



X

[danomar]

Very nice! I have never seen that case and dial in a Sicura. Classy!