1990s Lemania Elvström Regatta Automatic Blue on Bracelet 8734
Ref: 8734
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Booklets
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold “Watch Only” and therefore comes without its Lemania box but does come with its booklets. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Lemania brushed stainless steel bracelet secured by a flip-lock clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and is sold in worn condition, but overall, it is in fair vintage condition, as you can see and comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vVEvU_-IpIftWMxCT0DZKhmbdROixCUt?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 12:17 - https://youtu.be/DIsq7XtOahY
The Watch
Here we have a 1990s Lemania Elvström Regatta Automatic Blue on Bracelet 8734, developed and designed with the help of Lemania chief designer Albert Piquet and patented in the USA in 1975, with a 42.5mm brushed stainless steel tonneau-shaped case curves over your wrist with stubby lugs, and a lug-to-lug length of 47.5mm and a case thickness of 14mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the countdown pusher start/reset and a signed crown protected by crown guards. A screwed-down coin-edged bezel has a compass insert that holds a flat crystal above a blue dynamic dial, an outer minute chapter ring with Tritium plots at the hour and a green and red arrow indicating the direction of the countdown, a first mark arrow at 12 o’clock surrounds five holes with blue and red disk countdown indicators, when the chrono is activated the disk turns blue then red after 1 minute and the red hand counts down from 60 to zero, after 5 minutes all the disks turn red. Slender white sword hands filled with Tritium are a nice contrast to the blue and red on the dial; at 3 o’clock, “Elvström” and at 6 o’clock, "Lemania Automatic” completes this Yachting enthusiast companion. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with details of the watch around its edge and an engraved Lemania in the centre, inside an automatic Lemania Cal. 1345, 17 jewels, beating at 28,800 beats per hour, fitted with a flyback chronograph and yacht timer module designed by Lemania chief designer Albert Piquet. The watch comes paired with a 20mm Lemania brushed stainless steel bracelet secured by a flip-lock clasp and comes with its Lemania booklets.
Personal Note
"Yacht Timers" or Regatta watches have always been of interest to me as they feature a complication so specific yet so widely popular at the time with watches, always paired with bold designs of dial and case, just like this Lemania Elvström Regatta with a vibrant blue dial, iconic colour changing discs and a push down to rotate compass bezel. This reference 8734 is also a big watch at 42.5mm but wears incredibly well thanks to the short lug to lug of 47.5mm, do not hesitate to book an appointment to try this one on for yourself!
The Brand
Lemania was founded by watchmaker Alfred Lugrin in 1883. Specialising in high-quality chronographs, stopwatches, and repeaters. Companies like Omega and Patek Philippe have used Lemania-based movements, among many others. In 1932, they became members of the SSIH Group. In 1946, Albert Piquet developed the movement that became the Omega 321 which powered the first Speedmaster in 1957. Lemania's name comes from the French for Lake Geneva,” Lac Leman”. During the 1970s, they developed the Cal. 5100, which was used by Heuer. They broke away from the SSIH Group in 1981 and changed its name to Nouvelle Lemania. In 1992 Lemania was bought by Breguet, who later in 1999 was acquired by the Swatch Group.