Interesting LEMANIA military watch issued to the Czechoslovak Air Force during World War II, in the extremely rare version with crossed swords engraved on the caseback.
Item code:
LMN101646
Brand:
Lemania
LEMANIA interesting watch issued to the Czechoslovak Air Force during II World War, in the extremely rare version with crossed swords engraved on the caseback. Steel tortoiseshell case with screw-down caseback bearing the Czechoslovak Air Force's award. Matte black dial with Arabic numerals and luminous steel hands, center seconds hand. Manual-winding mechanical movement, Lemania caliber 3050, in perfect working order. The watch is completely original. In excellent condition, it is offered for sale with the following accessories:
- generic gray leather strap,
- guarantee of authenticity and proper functioning issued by our store, generic box from our store;
A BIT OF HISTORY... A PIECE OF HISTORY: Along with Longines and Eterna, this interesting and rare Lemania watch was used by the Czech Air Force (CAF) between the late 1930s and the mid-1940s. The first Czechoslovak Republic had concentrated military investments, strengthening its army and air force at the expense of its navy (Czechoslovakia has no direct land border), and it is said that its air force was truly impressive. In 1939, the Nazis completed their invasion of Czechoslovakia, establishing the Protectorate of Bohemia and Morava, a government directly controlled by Berlin. Many Czechoslovak Air Force pilots, eager to continue fighting the Nazis, deserted to join the Polish Air Force, but the Polish Air Force was not interested, diverting the pilots to France. After the fall of France, Czechoslovak pilots enlisted in the RAF (British Royal Air Force), which was in dire need of experienced pilots to counter the powerful German Luftwaffe. Approximately 90 pilots flew in the "Battle of Britain," most with the 310th and 312th Squadrons of the RAF during the summer of 1940. The aircraft used were the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire.
The majority of Lemania watches bear the inscription "MAJETEK VOJENSKE SPRAVY" (Property of the Military Administration) on the caseback; in some rare cases, we find the "CROSSED SWORDS" symbol, representing the official acceptance mark of the Czechoslovak Army (equivalent to the British Broad Arrow). These were also affixed to other items, such as weapons and uniform buttons. The swords were either affixed to the handles or stamped on the outer case back. In the latter case, they were accompanied by the serial number preceded by the letter "D" or "S," as in this splendid example up for sale. Historical reconstructions show that the presence of the swords, replacing the inscription "MAJETEK VOJENSKE SPRAVY," identifies specimens that were actually used in war by active units.
Era: assigned to the Czechoslovak Air Force, until the beginning of World War II;
Case: Waterproof, two-piece steel case with a tortoiseshell caseback, screw-down steel caseback with crossed swords and serial number D1549 (identifying ownership of the Czechoslovakian military administration). Case dimensions: 38mm (excluding crown) x 50mm (lug to lug). The case is in excellent condition and in its original, unrestored condition, as required for military-issue watches;
Dial: Original, matte black, Arabic numeral indexes, steel hands with luminous treatment and white graphics;
Movement: Manual-winding Lemania 3050 with Incabloc mechanism, n° 524003, in perfect working order, having been completely and professionally overhauled by our watchmaker;
Crystal: Plastic;
Shipping costs: to be added – we ship watches and accessories to Italy and worldwide via express courier, with fast, trackable delivery. Express courier (trackable – delivery in Italy within 24/48 hours) – delivery in Europe (1–3 business days) – non-EU countries (4–6 business days), subject to conditions available on the homepage.
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