Lemania - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Lemania, founded in 1884 by Alfred Lugrin in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, is a watch manufacturer renowned for its high-precision movements, particularly its chronographs. The history of Lemania is marked by significant technical innovations and collaborations with prestigious brands, consolidating its reputation in the watch industry.

The Beginnings of Lemania

Alfred Lugrin, after training at Jaeger-LeCoultre, established his own company, Lugrin & Co., in 1884. Specializing in manufacturing complicated movements such as chronographs and repeater watches, the company quickly distinguished itself by the quality of its products. In 1906, the "Lemania" brand was registered, reflecting the company's ambition to position itself among the leaders in Swiss watchmaking. In 1914, Lemania received a gold medal at the Swiss National Exhibition in Bern, recognizing its excellence in chronographs and complicated watches.

Fusion et Expansion

In 1932, Lemania merges with Omega and Tissot to form the Swiss Society for the Watch Industry (SSIH). This strategic alliance allows Lemania to become the main supplier of chronograph movements for Omega, contributing to iconic models such as the Omega Speedmaster. The Lemania caliber 2310, introduced in 1942, is particularly notable for its robustness and precision, being used not only by Omega, but also by prestigious brands like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

Innovations et Contributions Notables

Lemania is recognized for several major innovations in the watchmaking field and mainly in calibers:

Lemania caliber 2310

This movement, which appeared in 1942, is a column wheel chronograph which was used by Omega under the name caliber 321, notably in the first models of the Omega Speedmaster. Patek Philippe also adopted it, renaming it CH 27-70, making its own refinements.

Lemania caliber 5100

Introduced in the 1970s, this automatic movement is appreciated for its robustness and legibility, with a centrally positioned chronograph minute hand. It has been used by various brands including Heuer, which integrated it into several of its chronograph models.

Lemania Automatic Chronograph

As early as 1948, Lemania worked on an automatic rotor chronograph based on the CH 27 caliber. Although this pioneering project was not commercialized at the time, it demonstrated the manufacturer's spirit of innovation.

Lemania also marketed watches bearing its name which have become highly prized by collectors given their rarity and the singularity of their movements. Among these models, we can note the Lemania Regatta as regatta chronographs for racing enthusiasts and Lemania Benthos 1st or 2nd generations highly prized by collectors of radical divers.

Quartz Crisis and Restructuring

The quartz crisis of the 1970s severely affected the Swiss watch industry, including the SSIH group. Sales of mechanical watches plummet, leading to financial difficulties. In 1981, Lemania separates from the SSIH group through a management buyout, becoming Nouvelle Lemania. This independence allows the manufacture to concentrate on its fundamental skills in mechanical movements.

Acquisition by Breguet and Integration into the Swatch Group

In 1992, New Lemania is acquired by Breguet, a prestigious brand of luxury watches. This acquisition strengthens the production capacities of Breguet by integrating Lemania's expertise in complicated movements. In 1999, the Swatch Group buys Breguet, thus including Lemania in its portfolio. Lemania was then renamed Manufacture Breguet, continuing to produce movements for Breguet and other brands in the group.

Legacy and Lasting Influence

The legacy of Lemania lives on through the movements used in watches from many renowned brands. The calibers developed by Lemania are renowned for their precision and reliability, and remain sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts. Lemania's contribution to the Swiss watch industry is undeniable, having provided movements that powered some of the most iconic watches of the 20th century.

In conclusion, Lemania played a crucial role in the evolution of Swiss watchmaking, thanks to its expertise in complicated movements and its collaborations with prestigious brands. Its legacy continues to live on through the watches that incorporate its movements, testifying to the quality and innovation that have characterized the manufacture throughout its history.

To choose the vintage Lemania that suits you best, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.

(Updated November 2024)