Royal Navy Chronograph Vintage Watch

tinker2 · 2022-07-19T19:39:07Z

Explore the rare Lemania Royal Navy Chronograph Series I, a non-lumed tool watch linked to HMS Dreadnought. Discover its Calibre 2220 movement and unique history.

tinker2

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

34 replies3815 views2 photos

In a fascinating exploration of horological history and military precision, WatchProSite contributor tinker2 delves into the provenance of his rare Lemania Series I Royal Navy Chronograph. His detailed research connects this exceptional timepiece to the UK's first nuclear submarine, HMS Dreadnought, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of watchmaking and naval innovation. Tinker2's personal journey of discovery highlights the enduring appeal of tool watches with significant historical context.

Military history and my profession intersect in a big way, so I did a bit of research into my Lemania Series I nuclear submarine chrono that I acquired last year while living in London for work. I fell in love with the watch instantly (I already owned a series III). Visually, it is IMHO, gorgeous. Total tool watch, incredibly legible, and, because it spent most of its life underwater, not very harmed by the sun.

It has the Lemania cal. 2220 in it, a mono pusher movement that is almost identical to the Lemania 2310 (dual pusher), which is the same as the Omega 321 in the Speedmasters. This movement is good enough for space *and* good enough for a nuclear submarine (as well as the base movement for Patek Phlippe as Ch-27-70, and in VC, Dubuis). Here is this one, from 1962 (check out those springs!):

The seller, an expert in military watches, felt confident it was used on HMS DREADNOUGHT, the UK's first nuclear powered sub (the watch has no lume because the lume would trigger the on-board monitoring devices for radiation).

Sure enough, it's dated 1962 on the inner caseback, and DREADNOUGHT made her first dive in January of 1963. So... logic dictates that if a nuclear submarine watch existed at the same time of the only UK nuclear sub existed, the watch must have been on board.

Well, I spent some time digging, and eventually found this old Pathe film on the Dreadnought... Take a look at this watch-- I'm thinking same model, yes? On a bonklip (which they almost all wore at the time)

Pretty cool IMHO!!

This series 1 version is extremely rare, and I am guessing only the first crew or so of the Dreadnought had them. Only 6, maybe 8 are known to exist, as opposed to the asymmetrical cased Series 3, which started production mid-60s, and might number 200-300 made. I have my 1967 version Series 3 below, next to the Series 1.

These watches get a *ton* of wrist time.

Key Points from the Discussion

The original post's identification of Series 1, 2, and 3 Lemania chronographs was clarified, with the earliest Series 1 distinguished by a crown on the dial above 'Lemania' and lacking on Series 2 and 3. The Series 2, acquired in London, was first issued between 1950-1955 with a Calibre 15CHT, while the Series 3, from 1957-1970, used the Calibre 2220.
The Series 1 Lemania chronographs, unlike Series 2 and 3, lacked shock protection and featured a gold-plated movement instead of nickel-plated. There were also white dial versions of the Series 1 with different hour markers and blued steel hands.
The '62' marking on the caseback of tinker2's symmetrical Lemania chronograph is likely the production year 1962, aligning with the HMS Dreadnought's first dive in January 1963. The non-lumed dial was a specific requirement for nuclear submarine use to avoid triggering radiation monitoring devices.
The Lemania Calibre 2220 movement, a mono-pusher chronograph, is nearly identical to the dual-pusher Lemania 2310, which is famously the base for the Omega 321 in Speedmasters and also used by Patek Philippe (Ch-27-70) and Vacheron Constantin.
The film footage presented might have been shot on a set due to its perceived spaciousness, though the watch itself appears period-appropriate for the HMS Dreadnought.
The discussion prompted a reflection on timekeeping devices used on earlier ships named Dreadnought, noting that wristwatches would not have been prevalent during the service life of the famous battleship.

The Discussion

cazalea

Jul 19, 2022

That movie might have been filmed on a set - it looks too spacious! The watch looks like it would fit right in though. Cheers, Cazalea

tinker2

Jul 19, 2022

Thanks! But it’s definitely the sub, not a set- are your pics the same class of boat?

tinker2

Jul 19, 2022

And a *real* submariner! 😆

tinker2

Jul 19, 2022

Yes, your example is famous! Do you know the year?

cazalea

Jul 19, 2022

I have been on some US submarines too but the pictures are escaping me right now. In the mid-Sixties, one of my college buddies was on the Dixon, a sub tender here in San Diego. And I had a couple other pals on the subs. I think I'll dig up some photos and post them in TimeOut tonight. Cazalea

mhz vph

Jul 20, 2022

You were way ahead of me!

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