Here is some additional coverage on the recently released Leica watch – first some hands-on pictures by Leica Store Singapore:
Only 500 pieces from each model will be produced yearly (the Leica L1 is priced at $10,000 and the Leica L2, is $14,000).
“While restrained on its face, the L1 and L2 incorporates a surprising number of useful complications, thanks to a movement developed in collaboration with Lehmann Präzision. A precision engineering outfit that branched out into watches, Lehmann itself offers a range of watches powered by its own movements, which are derived from the ETA 2892. The calibre developed for Leica, however, is exclusive to the camera maker. And Leica now assembles both movements and finished watches in its own facility located within the Wetzlar campus that is also home to its camera production.” (SJX)
“The design of the Leica L1 and L2 draws inspiration from previous engineering masterpieces made in Wetzlar. The watches’ exterior was conceptualized by Professor Achim Heine, who have designed numerous Leica products. The design is based on the brand’s amazing history and his profound understanding of the Leica’s aesthetic principles and design code. The design of the watches make subtle references to the rich history of Leica.” (Deployant)
“The Leica L1 and L2 are very well thought-out and designed watches with legitimate horological craft behind them. For the well-heeled Leica enthusiast who is also a watch collector, I imagine these will be a no-brainer. For now, if you’d like to check these out in person, they will only be available at seven Leica boutiques globally with the Los Angeles location being the exclusive branch in the U.S. I also have to say that I think these are very fairly priced with the Leica L1 priced at $10,000 and the Leica L2 seen here priced at $14,000.” (A Blog to Watch)
“The L1 and L2 also feature a new mechanical movement developed in part with Germany’s Lehmann Präzision GmbH that’s left exposed on the rear of the timepiece through a transparent back also made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. But the watch doesn’t just borrow design aesthetics from Leica’s cameras. On most mechanical watches, the crown is pulled out to stop the movement allowing the wearer to adjust the time, but on both the Leica L1 and L2 the crowns are pushed in like a camera’s shutter button. This stops the time keeping mechanism and moves the second hand to the zero position, until the crown is pushed again to release and start the movement.” (Gizmodo)
Professor Heine is particularly proud of the Leica L1 and L2 crown design and functionality, which can be used to start and stop the small seconds hand with a single push — a little like a camera shutter. “We expanded and fine-tuned the idea of the push crown. In contrast to conventional designs — whereby the crown must be pulled out to stop the movement and adjust the time — we wanted the crown to be pressed down, like the release button of a camera. The moment you push the crown, the watch stops and the small second hand jumps to zero. Another click releases the movement again. This is an unusual detail that perfectly fits in with Leica,” he explains. (Watchpro)
See also this article in the NYTimes.
3 reasons you may want to take Leica seriously as a watchmaker
Leica L1 & L2 press release (was not available when I first reported the new watches):
Leica presents the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 watch models
Quality and design, functionality and durability, engineering excellence and long-term vision: these are the guiding principles of Leica Camera AG. For more than 150 years, focusing on the essential has been at the core of Leica’s brand culture. This also applies to the latest additions to the Leica family: the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 – two remarkable timepieces with a patented push crown.
The design of the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 draws inspiration from previous engineering masterpieces made in Wetzlar. The watches’ exterior was conceptualized by Professor Achim Heine, who has designed numerous Leica products in the past – giving him a profound understanding of the company’s aesthetic principles. As a result, the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 contain subtle references to signature features from Leica’s rich history. These include, for example, the delicate design of the watch hands and applied indices, the shape of the intricate stainless-steel case, the special knurling on the crowns, and the domed watch glass that recalls the front element of a camera lens.
Both models are powered by a complete newly developed mechanical movement with manual winding. The movement is visible through the transparent back made of resilient sapphire crystal. Maintaining the ‘Made in Germany’ designation was extremely important to Leica, which is why the company entered into a partnership with Lehmann Präzision GmbH. As a result, the movement and most of the watches’ components were developed and produced in the Lehmann factory in Germany’s Black Forest region, ensuring an exceptional level of vertical range of manufacturing.
The Leica watches are a perfect combination of design and mechanical engineering. Besides the domed front crystal and the flat transparent back made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, both watch models are distinguished by the patented push crown and its correlating status indicator on the dial. The push crown’s ability to reset the small second hand to zero is also a unique feature and adds yet another practical purpose to this aesthetically pleasing design element.
Professor Achim Heine explains: “Together with Markus Lehmann, we expanded and fine-tuned the idea of the push crown. In contrast to conventional designs – whereby the crown must be pulled out to stop the movement and adjust the time – we wanted the crown to be pressed down, like the release button of a camera. The moment you push the crown, the watch stops and the small second hand jumps to zero. Another click releases the movement again. This is an unusual detail that perfectly fits in with Leica.”
Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and majority owner of Leica Camera, adds: “I am very happy that this long-term project is now ready to be presented. I believe that, together with our partners, we have succeeded in developing a watch ‘Made in Germany’ that is representative of Leica and embodies the values of our premium brand.”
Markus Lehmann, Managing Director of Lehmann Präzision GmbH, commented on the collaboration with Leica Camera: “We have previously built precision machines for Leica, independently of this project. It has, of course, been very interesting to work with Leica in two such different areas – whereby the watch project was, and is, a project very close to my heart.”
The LEICA L1 and the LEICA L2 will be available at select Leica Stores, starting February 8, 2022*. The price is 9,500 euros for the LEICA L1, and 13,500 euros for the LEICA L2; VAT included in both cases.
Leica L3 watch with a mechanical alarm complication coming in 2019
More info on the Ernst Leitz Werkstätten and the new Leica watches