new to this site

[markymark]

Hi I am new to this site and found it because I have a Lemania watch which I would like to sale.
I have had it for over 33 years and and it is a chronograph 2 button ,3 dial with a black face and BBC 4696 on the back.
I saw the thread about the BBC and thats what made me think about the watch.
It works fine but has no strap and the glass is a bit scratched.
Could anyone tell me more about it and what it is likely to be worth.
Thanks for your help in this.
I find this site quite interesting.
Cheers
Mark

[DaveS]

Hello and Welcome
Well, it looks like your watch could be very nice indeed, but I am afraid it is very hard to tell without in-focus photos. It could also be a "not very nice" one. Sorry, but it could based on these photos.
Does your camera have a "macro" button (usually a picture of a stylised flower) to help you focus on objects very close to the camera.

My initial comments

Firstly, I am interested by the red indices on the dial, and the blue segment and red line on the sub-dial at 3 o'clock - these are not usual features that I see on chronos of the era that I suspect this dates from.
Secondly, the case is a bit "fatter" than many of the Lemania chronos of this era - again interesting.
I am also interested that the hand on the sub-dial at 6 o'clock is not set to zero, and I am guessing that it should be (as the other two chronograph hands are reset), indicating that some repair work is needed.
If you have had it unserviced for 33 years, then it definitely needs work.
The crystal scratches are not really important, nor is the absence of a strap.

Where are you based? Can you get to a watchmaker, or even just someone to take nice big focussed photos? We'll get a much better idea then.

All this aside, with thse photos, if you put this on E-bay as it stands, someone may take a big risk and offer you up to £200 for it.

If it is well photographed (front, back sides etc) and is reasonable, perhaps £500.

If it is fully maintained (service cost could be £200 or more without the cost of other additional spares), then possibly more, up to £800 (at a total guess), this particular case shape (as used by Tissot and others) is not as popular as many others.

If you can provide provenance (ie provide a statement that you were a BBC production crew member in the 70s, and this was your work watch), then maybe more.

Our host, Al, can arrange for watches such as this to get "the full spa" treatment if you want to go that way. I use the same watch repairer, and I can vouch for his work.

Post here, or contact Al or myself if you want to take this further.

Regards
Dave

[markymark]

Hi Dave
Thanks for the interest.
I will get some better pics of the watch and post them.
I did not work for the BBC but was given the watch when I was a teenager by my parents.
My father worked in the marine industry and was given the watch as a thank you but unfortunatley he is now dead so I can not ask the provenance of this but I do know he didi lots of work for journalists and BBC workers who owned yachts.
As I said I will post better photos.
Cheers
Mark

[markymark]

Hi everyone
Here are hopefully some better pics of my watch.
If someone can tell me more then that would be great as I want to sell it.
It has the BBC number on the back.
Hope to hear from anybody soon.
My location is Brockenhurst in Hampshire








Mark

[markymark]

hI more pics of the watch.

Mark

[DaveS]

Great stuff Mark, that is a lot better

Well, some more observations.

This is almost definitely an early 70s watch, powered by the Lemania 1873 movement. There is a possibility of an earlier movement, but it is unlikely. You may be interested to know that either way it is almost the same as the movements used in the Omega Speedmaster
Possibly late 60s, but the coloration on the dial indicates later.

I have to say that I have not come across a Lemania-branded watch in this case variant before. It is a recognisable case, used by Tissot, Bucherer and Richard to name but a few, but this is the first time I have seen a Lemania one.

The BBC numbering looks good, and the fact that it is earlier than the other one we discussed would lend credibility to the earlier date.

It does need a full service, the hands are not re-setting properly, or at least the chrono-hours hand is not.

Dial and hand aging looks nice

The case has a lot of damage to it, mostly of a surface nature, but it is not indicative of good condition an affects value.

There is some corrosion evident to the pushers.

There is also damage to the caseback from an opening tool, which indicates that someone not entirely competent has been inside the watch, not a good sign.

The crystal looks a little too damaged to buff out, a new one may be hard to find (but would not be expensive if you do so successfully).

I guess it will cost you about £2-300 to get this watch back to a good condition, fully working and regulated, with the case made more presentable and a new crystal. Personally, I would do it, but that's because I like this type of thing.

It is marginal as to whether you will get your money back in terms of increased sale price. This may not matter to you at all due to the sentimental value you have with its connection to your late father.

I think you may get about £3-500 for it on EBay, on a good day, the case shape is not the most attractive (in the market), and this affects value a lot.

As it is also a model not often (if ever) seen in this case design, you may find that people shy away from it and do not bid.

Let us know what you think.

Dave

[markymark]

Hi Dave
I can say that no one has been inside the watch since I have owned it and for the last 25 years has not been worn or used.
I found it again when I moved house as I had forgotten I had it.
I will try ebay perhaps or a friend of mine use to service Rolex watches so I might get him to have a look.
I am glad it is a little unusual as this might help selling it.
Thanks for all your knowledge.
Regards
Mark