by Nancy Olson
I grew up around the name Leica. My dad, a painter and talented amateur photographer, always had several film cameras around the house, including at least one Leica at any given time. And even as a child I had the sense that these were the pride of his collection.
As my career took me to magazine publishing, Leica cameras were in my field of awareness once again, respected for their quality, reputation, and use in print media. If a Leica was good enough for the likes Henri Cartier-Bresson, who could argue?
So I was intrigued when I learned that this notable German company was introducing two new watch models: the Leica L1 and the Leica L2. Apparently they’ve been in the works for a few years, but for whatever reason their time is now.
Leica L1 (left) and Leica L2
Leica L1 and Leica L2
Right from the gate, I was pleased to note that neither of the watches shout “camera-inspired timepiece” as is the tendency of many brand extensions touting a backstory. Rather, there are a couple of understated Leica design cues evident on the timepieces feeling more like odes than advertisements, company pride trumping corporate plug.
Leica L2
The exterior of both 41 mm stainless steel watches is the work of Professor Achim Heine, who camera buffs may know from some of his other work on behalf of Leica. The case features a nice mix of polished and brushed surfaces adding further interest to the already interesting case, best appreciated, I think, from a crown-side view. The crown features a prominent red dot recalling the Leica logo, and the pusher at 2 o’clock sets the date.
Leica L2 push crown
Leica L1 and Leica L2: push, don’t pull
Professor Heine explained the patented crown, “Together with Markus Lehmann [managing director of Lehmann Präzision GmbH, with whom Leica partnered], we expanded and fine-tuned the idea of the push crown. In contrast to conventional designs – whereby the crown must be pulled out to stop the movement and adjust the time – we wanted the crown to be pressed down, like the release button of a camera.”
The moment one pushes the crown, Heine continued, the watch stops and the small second hand jumps to zero in a quick reset motion.
“Another click releases the movement again,” he said.
Pushing the crown also changes the small circular indicator on the dial to the right of center from black to red: voila, another Leica red dot.
Leica L2 dial details
Leica L1 and Leica L2: thoughtful design
The matte black aluminum dial is clear and well balanced with white indices and simple hands marking the time. The date window, whose color agreeably matches that of the dial, is at 3 o’clock, while a small seconds subdial featuring Roman numerals and a red hand is at 6 o’clock. A camera shutter-inspired power reserve indicator is between 8 and 9 o’clock.
Leica L1 power reserve indicator
“Leica Wetzlar/Made in Germany” – all in a sans serif font – are the only words on the dial, conveying an unfussy and capable vibe. The domed sapphire crystal enclosing it all is reminiscent of a head-on view of a camera lens.
Leica L2
The L2 includes a 12-hour track on the perimeter of the dial to display the second time zone, which is complemented by a day/night indication near the date window. It is actuated via the knurled crown at 4 o’clock.
Black leather straps lined in red are a bold touch. They feature a perfect smattering of red stitching on opposing sides, closest to the integrated lugs.
Leica L2 watch movement
Leica L1 and Leica L2: movements
The manually wound movements for the L1 and L2 – visible through the flat case backs – each have 26 jewels and offer 60 hours of power reserve. I might add here that in addition to developing the two movements from what was once an ETA 2892 base, Lehmann Präzision also produced components at its Black Forest workshop. The roomy case back window showcases some nice finishing, indicative, I think, of overall quality.
For more information, please visit leica-camera.com/en-int/World-of-Leica/Leica-Watch.
Quick Facts Leica L1
Case: 41 x 14.5 mm, stainless steel; water resistance 50 m
Dial: matte black aluminum
Movement: manual winding Caliber L1 by Lehmann Präzision, 60-hour power reserve, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, (hacking) small seconds; date, power reserve indicator
Price: $10,000/€9,500
Remark: currently only available at Leica stores
Quick Facts Leica L2
Case: 41 x 14.5 mm, stainless steel; water resistance 50 m
Dial: matte black aluminum
Movement: manual winding Caliber L2 by Lehmann Präzision, 60-hour power reserve, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, (hacking) small seconds, date, power reserve indicator; second time zone, day/night indicator
Price: $14,000/€13,500
Remark: currently only available at Leica stores
You may also enjoy:
Leica’s Very Special Limited Edition EL 1 Chrono With Valbray
Leica Celebrates 100 Years: A Factory Tour In Wetzlar, Germany
Heartbeat: Historic Yevgeny Khaldei Photograph In Leica Exhibition
Bonhams Auctions The Leica Camera That Took One Of The World’s Most Iconic Photos
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
The asking price is absurd. Smile, you say? That’s the last thing this deserves.
I hear you on that! But just last night I heard from a friend that the 2022 production is entirely sold out…Leica has a lot of diehard fans.
This is an easy watch for me to leica ,just because of the price, I can’t click the button.
This is kind of dress watch but having something more linked to photography I prefer the original Valbray X Leica EL1 Chronograph Watch which was unfortunately produced only in 100 pcs at strange enough the same price.
I was a big fan of the Valbray piece! What an unusual and interesting watch that was.
My “experience” of Leica is limited to picking them up in the shop and reluctantly putting them down again, secure in the knowledge that the digital ones don’t actually offer any optical advantages to a Sony with Zeiss glass.
But there is no doubt that they know how to make extremely desirable products and the fact that they continue to make astounding film cameras even today more than justifies their existence.
I suspect that these timepieces will be the same. They won’t make much financial sense but very few people who own them will mind.
Thanks for the coverage. I saw this recently on the Leica site and was a bit surprised that a niche company like Leica would devote the necessary resources to go this far from their main product line instead of simply going up the road to someone like Sinn for a collaborative effort. This is an impressive piece with some novel features but you’re really paying for it. Of course the same can be said for their cameras and lenses (even HODINKEE sells them) and like the cameras and lenses, I’m betting Leica watches will be in short supply ..
I am interested to buy a L1 watch.
Pls let me know where I can do this
Currently only through Leica’s own stores.