L. Leroy Osmior Denis Flageollet Design

sham1 · 2026-04-30T14:08:50Z

Discover sham1 s rare L. Leroy Osmior, designed by Denis Flageollet pre-De Bethune. Explore its unique design, thinness, and historical significance.

sham1

WPS member · Independents forum

28 replies962 views5 photos

In this captivating post, sham1 shares his anticipation for a truly special acquisition: an L. Leroy Osmior. This piece holds particular significance as it was designed by Denis Flageollet before he co-founded De Bethune, offering a rare glimpse into the formative influences of a modern horological master. sham1's enthusiasm highlights the thrill of discovering a unique, historically rich timepiece that resonates with his personal collecting philosophy.

28 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

I have just received word that my L Leroy is on its way to me from Paris and I cannot wait to try it on when it finally arrives in Malaysia. This Osmior (which refers to an ancient metal alloy, primarily composed of gold with a colour similar to platinum) is particularly special as it was designed by Denis Flageollet before he co founded De Bethune in 2002. I am a great fan of Denis as I am of the opinion that he is one of the three living watch geniuses in the industry (the other two being Andreas Strehler and Luca Soprana). We can indeed see some of the inspiration for the case, hands and even some dial designs that led to the design of the De Bethune cases that followed.

I was initially a bit apprehensive when I discovered that the watch had a diameter of 41mm but a lug to lug of 46mm restored my confidence. What really swept me off my feet was the thinness of the watch which will easily make this the thinnest watch in my collection. Some may say that the dial is too simple but those who know me well will know that I am very partial to simple dials on watches. Less is more

Elegance personified.

Notice the cute crown!

Impressively thin!

Sorry all, the manual winding movement is concealed.

With Denis Flageollet in 2023

Key Points from the Discussion

The unique design of the crown on this manual-winding watch raises questions about its tactile experience, especially for a collector accustomed to diverse crown designs from brands like Cartier.
L. Leroy's heritage dates back to 1785, making it an older brand than many in the industry, and its relative obscurity appeals to collectors who appreciate rare and less commonly known timepieces.
The thinness and overall beauty of the L. Leroy Osmior are immediately striking, generating excitement for its arrival and future wrist shots.
The author notes the increasing difficulty of finding exceptional watches that are both high-quality and financially accessible, positioning this L. Leroy as a 'hidden gem' in the current market.
Despite extensive online searching, specific details or images of the movement, possibly a Calibre 1025, remain elusive, indicating the rarity of information on this particular L. Leroy model.

The Discussion

quattro

Apr 30, 2026

This Leroy looks very beautiful and so thin! I hope you get it as soon as possible: I can imagine your excitement. Looking forward to seeing your photos when it arrives! Best, Emmanuel

sham1

Apr 30, 2026

It was unknown to me too until earlier this month

sham1

Apr 30, 2026

It is rare these days to find a hidden gem that does not require selling one's body parts!

sham1

Apr 30, 2026

I sure hope it looks as good in the flesh.

sham1

Apr 30, 2026

I have always been intrigued by the brand which I believe is from 1785, hence older than most. Many collectors may not have even have heard of the brand and that suits me fine as I like rare watches.

sham1

Apr 30, 2026

when the watch finally arrives next week or the week after

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Independents forum with 28 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum