Lemania Watching 2nd Nov

[DaveS]

Haven't done one of these for a while, so here are a few of the completed items that I was watching recently. No connections with sellers or any part of the auctions, and as usual, just my opinions on them, open to further improvement by those more familiar than myself.

Item 310265520189 - GP Praesent Chrono




Nice little Lemania-powered 2-Reg Chrono, mis-described as 50s, when in fact it was firmly late 60s, with a 1270 movement, just a little behind the design curve. I am not sure it even went for £250 on a BiN


Item 180577368237 - Dugena Lemania 5100 - Case more recognisable as Heuer Audi Sport


Nice looking example, good to have the proper bracelet, but mis-match on the chrono hands speaks of some replacement parts. Went for €567


Item 400168108511 - Another Nero Lemania BBC Chronograph





Nice usable time-elapsed clock, wnet for £141 in the end


Item 280580371870 - Tissot Navigator 2 Reg Chrono





Okay, I was lying. I do have a connection with this one, in that I was bidding on it, as they are very rare, right up to the point that it got silly ($600 from memory) - this was a non-working example, clearly with rust on the dial, no movement shot at all, and it still went for over $1000.

I worry about things like this. There is no way this Tissot has that intrinsic value (imho). The problem is that this is the same as the (rare and valuable) Lemania SAAF Chronos. the one they issued before the Lemania 5012 version. I suspect that this watch is destined to be a donor, as it makes most sense at that price. Wheter its bits end up repairing a genuine worn example, or making a put-together, we may only find out in time. I hope I am wrong.


Item 170550263909 - Hamilton Lemania 5100




This one goes to prove that bargains are harder to find. Horrible picture, nasty 80s styling (ie not very popular) and the owner wanted €400 for it. No sale. My (even worse) burgundy-dialled version of the same watch cost me third of that.


Item 180570276411 - Lemania / Sinn 140 looky-likey



5012, or 5100, possibly with replacement parts, but possibly original. For sale by a 0 feedback seller, and never got a bid at €469. Could have been a bargain, could have been a nightmare - who knows


Item 150500398253 - Interesting Grupo Fidel (??????) Lemania 5100



Another indication of the wash-out of bargains. 25 bids took this very poor condition 5100 up to £334, even though it was a non-runner with evident corrosion everywhere and no crown. Go figure.

This case was used by North Eagles, Eberhard, DPW and others for private-label 5100s, I have one nearly the same made for AMSI, the Italian Ski and Mountaineering school.



Please share any comments, and/or any other sales you have been watching. They can even be current listings, if you want.

Dave

[flugzeit]

Originally Posted by DaveS

Item 280580371870 - Tissot Navigator 2 Reg Chrono

Okay, I was lying. I do have a connection with this one, in that I was bidding on it, as they are very rare...

Now, why doesn't that surprise me... Looks similar to another you recent acquisitions.

-flugzeit

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by flugzeit

Looks similar to another you recent acquisitions.

-flugzeit

Indeed, but I am on the chase of something altogether more interesting. All very hush hush at the moment, we will see what happens.

Dave

[andy_s]

Wow, surprised at how high the two reg chrono went for, as you say, I can't see the intrinsic value nor, at that price, the repair/spares angle. Ho-hum, perhaps sometimes two bidders in a head to head can take thongs past the rational. It'd be very nice to find a decent one though.

[DaveS]

Me too, but with 4 bidders over $800 and 3 over $900 it wasn't a two-horse race.

The only thing is that SAAFs go for $2000 or more, so that's why I supposed that is where it was destined.

As I say, I may be wrong, and I hope I am.

Dave

[andy_s]

You may be right in that case Dave, like you say, let's hope not.

[danomar]

I was ever-so tempted by the Dugena, but I know it is too big and heavy to fit me comfortably. Love the look, though.

That Sinn 140 look-a-like would have been a strong temptation for me if I had seen it. Even if it is not completely original, I love the look. I'm glad I did NOT see it! I might actually save some money this month!

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by danomar

I was ever-so tempted by the Dugena, but I know it is too big and heavy to fit me comfortably. Love the look, though.

That Sinn 140 look-a-like would have been a strong temptation for me if I had seen it. Even if it is not completely original, I love the look. I'm glad I did NOT see it! I might actually save some money this month!

I have to say that I am a little surprised by the Dugena comment. I had a Lemania version, and it is actually quite petite.

22mm lugs, but as you can see, the lugs are are quite a large proportion of the case width.

I reckon it is just under 40mm across.....

I think the 140 was a nice watch, but the seller (literally a 0 feedbacker) was not good enough to attract a bid. Could have been a bargain if they were genuine and you could do a face to face.

If you manage to make some savings, I am looking forward to seeing what new funds might get you.....

Dave