Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)
Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)
Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)
Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)
Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)
Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)

Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)

Lemania two-button military chronograph (1975)

Regular price $9,500.00
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This is an extremely rare and desirable Lemania 818 chronograph made for the British Armed forces and delivered in 1975. Lemania were the exclusive supplier of chronograph wristwatches to the British military between 1945 and 1970. The watches they supplied during this period were single-pusher types, the reasoning being that with a single pusher there was less chance of an error in timing or accidentally stopping the chronograph. After 1970 the Ministry of Defence revised their chronograph specifications to allow for the less costly two-button type chronograph movements to be used and so opened up the chronograph supply to other manufacturers.

Lemania supplied just 500 pieces of the two-pusher type chronograph 250 each in 1975 and 1976. Lemania gave this model their reference 818 and these watches are powered by their excellent 1872 movement (the same movement that was adopted by Omega for the Speedmaster line of chronographs from around 1969 onwards).

This watch is from the first year of issue - 1975 (this is what the /75 on the case back refers to). The watch is in excellent condition, the case has some scratches and dings from use, but this is to be expected in what was a tool for the military. The dial is in superb condition, as is the movement - testament to the excellent quality of the construction of the case. The hands have some marks from rough handling during service and I believe the hour hand may have been replaced (if the new owner would prefer I can source a correct replacement, but honestly I'm not sure if it's wrong - it certainly looks a correct match for the minute hand)

The stainless steel case is asymmetric, which provides protection for the pushers and the crown, it's a good size at 40mm excluding the crown and it takes a 20mm strap. The watch has fixed strap bars, as per the military specification, for a pull through NATO type strap. The oversized crown makes winding simple.


Lemania supplied many different armed forces around the world - their movements are very solidly constructed and keep excellent time, making them a good fit for a rugged life in the services. Lemania are something of a cult brand - no longer in existence today, but much cherished by aficionados. The company specialised in the production of chronographs (that is watches with a stop-watch function built in). Chronographs are inherently complicated things to manufacture and for this reason many watch companies brought-in movements from specialists like Lemania. They supplied amongst others Omega (the movement that powered the first watch on the moon was made by Lemania), and luxury brands Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. Because Lemania often supplied movements to other brands (for which they were uncredited), watches which are signed by Lemania are especially prized.

The watch has been fully serviced and regulated, the chronograph functions perfectly and the time keeping is of the highest order. It is supplied with a NATO fabric strap. This is a great watch for everyday use.

Case diameter (excluding winding crown): 40mm
Case material: stainless steel
strap width: 20mm
time keeping: grade A+

We aim to dispatch all orders within 2-3 working days.

When your order is dispatched, your tracking details will be updated.

If you have opted for a custom engraving please allow an additional 1-2 working days.

If you are purchasing during a sale or a limited edition release - you can expect an email update with an estimated dispatch date if there any changes to the timeframe.

If you are in a hurry for your watch, please email us.

Shipping guide for watches:

United States & Canada: FREE DHL Express shipping, 1-3 working days

Mexico: $13 shipping to Mexico: DHL Express, 2-3 working days

Shipping guide for t-shirts

Our t-shirts are printed by us and shipped from our workshop in London. This means if you place an order for both a watch and t-shirt(s), they will be shipped together via an express service. Delivery times for these can be found here.

If you order a t-shirt without a watch, it will be shipped via a Royal Mail tracked service which usually takes a little longer. You can see an estimated timescale when you input your address at the checkout.

Shipping guide for bands (unless purchased with a watch):

- FREE Royal Mail tracked, 5-10 working days

During busy sale periods dispatch may take a little longer (this is quite rare). These delivery times are a guide based on the Fedex and Royal Mail terms of service, products may, in some unusual cases take longer to arrive. If this happens, please get in touch. 

We are happy to exchange unworn watches.

Fastening the watch will cause damage to the leather. If this is the case, we charge for the watch strap (or we can put the worn strap on the exchanged watch for free).

Please email us directly if you think your watch is faulty: info@mrjoneswatches.com

Return for a refund

To return for a full refund, you have 30 days if purchased online. After this time we can offer an exchange if your watch hasn’t been worn.

If you purchased your watch in-store, we can offer an exchange or store credit only. This is because you’ve seen the watch in person and had the opportunity to try it on. Please let us know if you’re purchasing as a gift.

We do not cover shipping costs for unwanted items from outside the UK.

Returning your watch to us

Please send the watch to this address:

Mr Jones Watches (repairs)
61 Dartmouth Road
London SE23 3HN
United Kingdom

If you no longer have your original packaging, please ensure your watch is securely wrapped in bubble wrap / something similar to protect it in transit.

Please include a note stating:

- the reason for the return
- a detailed description of the problem with your watch (if sending for repair)
- your email address and your order number
- if you are sending in a repair, please remember to include your return delivery address, (so we know where to send the repaired watch)

We recommend you use a tracked service.

If you are sending from outside the UK, you will have to fill in a Customs Declaration form (usually a CN22).

Please write in the description field "wristwatch, return for factory repair / refund , no commercial value."

This is essential otherwise an import duty will be levied which you will be liable for (there is no way for us to reclaim this charge).

Please note: if you are returning a watch that is faulty we can reimburse shipping costs if your watch is within warranty, please contact us ahead of sending in this instance.

T-shirt returns and exchanges

We recommend checking the measurements of our t-shirts on our size guide before placing your order, you can also check them here

However, if your t-shirt is faulty, we can offer an exchange or a refund. In this circumstance, please email us within 30 days of placing your order, with a photograph of the problem, as well as your order number.

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