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Leica Camera Watches
Peter KotsaMELBOURNE
Jan 25, 2023
I was invited to a recent launch of the two Leica watches L1 andL2
I must say it was an exciting night and great to see something a little different.
I was fortunate enough to be able to grab these two watches for several days to enjoy and see how they feel on the wrist
Thanks for watching..
00:00 Intro
00:57 Leica Boutique
01:45 Price
02:16 What is This Watch
07:11 Specifications
07:48 Wrist Shot
08:34 Caseback Movement
09:11 Water resistance
09:38 Negatives
12:15 Final thoughts
These watches can be purchased from either the Melbourne or Sydney Leica boutiques link
Locations link
Handcrafted foreverness and engineering excellence focused on the essential: Leica L1 and Leica L2. The first Leica watch collection is the perfect combination of more than 150 years of Leica’s brand culture, visionary design and unmatched quality. Clear and distinctive elementary design features, functionality, durability and sophisticated creative details set new standards in the watchmaking segment and ensure the new Leica is both: timeless and precise.
150 YEARS OF LEICA QUALITY
Timeless design, mechanical perfection, long-term-vison and an eye for the essential: For over 150 years now the Leica Camera AG stands for excellent quality and engineering excellence. From its very beginning in Wetzlar, the international manufacturer of cameras and sport optics has built its reputation on German craftsmanship and innovative technologies while art and design have always been a focal point within the culture of the brand. This is highlighted by the diversity of promotional activities for photography encouraged by Leica galleries, Leica academies, the Leica Hall of Fame Award and, in particular, the Leica Oskar Barnack Award.
THE NEW LEICA: TIMELESS & PRECISE.
There is a distinct difference between seconds and moments: focus. Focus on the essential. Experiencing time consciously, recognizing its value and the ultimate desire to capture fleeting moments forever – to give them shape, character and a heartbeat – led us to the development of the Leica watch. Our mission: turning seconds into moments and making time visible, as well as wearable. Iconic design, precise craftsmanship and Leica’s uncompromising passion are now embodied in two remarkable timepieces: Leica L1 and Leica L2.
The look was inspired by Professor Achim Heine who, since he designed numerous Leica products over many years, has a profound understanding of the company’s aesthetic principles. Dr. Andreas Kaufmann. Chairman of the supervisory board and majority owner of Leica Camera AG
CLEAR, FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: LEICA WATCH
The domed watch glass reminiscent of a camera lens. The rhodinised and diamond indices and hands, including the elegant décor caressing the second dial, that follow the typical delicate and simple design principles by Leica. The patented, “red-dot” push-crown inspired by a camera’s shutter release, and developed as an homage to Leica M’s designers Ludwig Leitz II and Heinrich Janke: All functional details contain subtle references to signature features from Leica’s rich history. The precise movement is framed by a transparent back and front glass made from non-scratch sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating. Everywhere you look there are distinctive details, such as the shapely and sophisticatedly finished stainless steel case or the exquisite knurling on the crowns. This symbiosis of iconic design and supreme quality make Leica highly recognisable – at any moment.
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHT: PATENTED PUSH-CROWN
Designed to make a point. The patented “red-dot” push-crown is a unique combination of form and function. Inspired by the shutter release button of a camera, the Leica watch push-crown is pressed, not pulled. Pressing the crown of the Leica L1 and Leica L2 triggers the second-hand reset and the status display on the dial switches from white to red. This mechanism can also be used to set the date with another date button, while pressing the crown again re-engages the movement. The Leica L2 also features a GMT-crown that can display both time zones with a single hand. To complement the sophisticated technology, the “red dot”-design is as simple as it is iconic, establishing the push-crown is not only an attractive but also a very practical feature.
The idea was further developed in collaboration with Markus Lehmann: Whereas other crowns stop and reset the watch when they are pulled, this crown is pressed like the shutter release of a camera. It’s an unusual detail that perfectly fits with Leica.
Professor Achim Heine - Product designer
- Patented push-crown
- Mode indicator
- Power reserve indicator
- Small second hand
- Date push-button
- Date window
- GMT turning bezel (Leica L2 only)
- Day/night indicator for the GMT function (Leica L2 only
- GMT crown (Leica L2 only)
THE FINE ART OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL VISION: LEICA WATCH
Unique features and technical excellence: Each Leica watch is “Made in Germany” and developed in close cooperation with Lehmann Präzision GmbH – from the initial vision through to final implementation. Concept design, manufacture and the majority of the integrated components are being produced in the company’s very own Black Forest manufactory. Most of all, because Leica watches promise exquisite functionality – which couldn’t have been achieved with movements currently available on the market. The manually wound movement was developed from scratch to achieve a harmonious interplay of gears and hammers and the smoothly interlocking rotations of the hands. It’s all evidence of the symbiosis of visionary technology, traditional engineering craftsmanship and typical Leica quality. The result is an exclusive timepiece, handcrafted in Germany, which reveals Leica’s impressive vertical range of manufacturing.
THE MODELS: LEICA L1 & LEICA L2
Mechanically, both models are manually-wound watches displaying hours, minutes and seconds, a date window, status and power reserve. The Leica L1 and Leica L2 are fitted with a scratch-proof domed sapphire crystal, a transparent case back, and are both water-resistant to a depth of 50 metres I ATM. The power reserve guarantees at least 60 hours of motion and is decked by evenly closing blades reminiscent of the shutters of a Leica camera. Similarly, the specially developed container made of glass for the Leica watch is ideal for transporting and storing Leica M lenses, too. The patented push-crown with red ceramic insert is a typically stylish, technical and aesthetic finishing touch for both watches. A classic black calf leather strap with a distinctive red interior further adds to the subtle elegance of the Leica L1.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: LEICA L2
Two time zones with a single hand: As a GMT-watch (Greenwich Mean Time), the Leica L2 also uses a single hand to indicate the second time zone on the dial. The 12-hour bezel facilitates rapid, exact and interpretation-free time-telling within a global orientation system. Another exquisite highlight of the Leica L2 is the sophisticated, traditionally hand-crafted alligator leather strap with the refined aestheticism of its red interior surface, 3D-cushioning and a tastefully complementary seam colour.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
LEICA L1 & LEICA L2 LEICA L2 ONLY
Calibre L1 L2
Movement type Manual winding
Amplitude 28.800 A/h, 4 Hz
Jewels 26
Power reserve 60 hours (minimum)
Complications Hours, minutes, small second, date window, power reserve
indicator with gradually closing blades
Second time zone GMT 12-hour bezel, day/night
indicator
Dial
GMT bezel
Date window
Material: high-strength aluminium, Colour: matte black with
white markers; rhodium-plated and diamond-plated indices,
watch hands and appliqués in the sub-dial
Case
Material Stainless steel (316L)
Diameter 41 mm
Height 14,5 mm
Finish Highly polished as well as satin surfaces, bevelled edges
Front glass Domed sapphire crystal glass, antireflective coating on
both sides, scratchresistant coating, screw-mounted
Transparent back Flat sapphire crystal glass, anti-reflective coating on both
sides, scratch-resistant coating, screw-mounted
Water resistance 50m | 5 ATM (ISO 2281 standard)
Push crown Patented push crown (for manual winding and time setting)
with red ceramic insert; date pusher GMT crown
Strap Veal leather, black with matching stitching, red inner side Alligator leather, matte black with matching stitching,
red inner side
Buckle Tang buckle, stainless steel, milled, polished and brushed,
with LEICA engraving
Special features
The crown has to be pushed in order to adjust the position
of the hands, and to reset the small second hand to zero.
Power reserve indicator with gradually closing blades
Day/night indicator for second time zone
Technical details
Download here
Any questions concerning technical details or the functionality of the Leica watches? Our Service-Team at the Ernst Leitz Werkstätten is happy to help.
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