Besides being a very handsome and well-executed military watch, this particular model by Lemania features a distinctive control: the button above the crown is depressed and immediately the movement stops, the seconds-hand is rotated back to 12 o'clock (flyback function), and the crown is extended for setting! While many military watches will stop the hands when the crown is pulled (hacking), the flyback creates the optimum condition to set an exact time, or to synchronize several watches precisely. Some forty years later, the reborn Lange und Sohne would offer this same capability in their 'Sax-0-Mat' line.



Close examination reveals that this is a very high quality watch. The asymmetric case is heavy stainless steel, usefully and beautifully brushed, and 40mm across, exclusive of crown. The right side's subtly wider shoulder below the bezel allows the crown to be partially recessed, and provides some protection for the pusher. The dial is glossy black, with proper luminous Arabic numerals and hands, and some of the finest and crispest printing I have seen on a vintage watch. The whole package is simple and functional, and also attractive and pleasant to wear.



