Lemania
Le Sentier, Switzerland · Est. 1884
Founded by Alfred Lugrin
Lemania was a Swiss movement manufacturer founded in Le Solliat in 1884, best known for producing some of the most celebrated chronograph calibres of the 20th century, including the Calibre 27 used by Patek Philippe and the Calibre 1873 for Omega's Speedmaster. The manufacture was absorbed into the Swatch Group and its identity eventually folded into Breguet.
- Founded
- 1884
- Headquarters
- Le Sentier, Switzerland
- Group
- Swatch Group
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1992
Lemania, founded in 1884, was absorbed into the Swatch Group and its identity folded into Breguet in 1992; the independent brand name ceased to exist.
The ghost in the machine — Lemania's chronograph calibres powered Omega's Moonwatch and Breguet's complications, uncredited.
Key Collections
- Calibre 27 CHRO C12 — The legendary column-wheel chronograph movement developed in the 1940s, later adopted by Omega as the calibre 321 and by Patek Philippe for their chronographs.
- 5100 Military Chronograph — A robust automatic chronograph produced for various military forces from the 1970s onwards, featuring a distinctive asymmetric case design and Calibre 5100.
- Calibre 1872/1873 — The hand-wound chronograph movement that evolved into Omega's calibre 861/1861, powering the Speedmaster Professional for decades.
- Split-Seconds Chronographs — Highly technical rattrapante movements supplied to prestige houses including Patek Philippe and Breguet for their most complicated chronograph watches.
Timeline
- 1884 — Alfred Lugrin establishes a movement manufacturing workshop in L'Orient, in the Vallée de Joux region of Switzerland.
- 1932 — Develops the groundbreaking Calibre 27 CHRO C12, which becomes one of the most influential chronograph movements in horological history.
- 1957 — Supplies the calibre 321 to Omega for the first Speedmaster, beginning a partnership that would reach the moon.
- 1981 — Acquired by the SSIH group (predecessor to Swatch Group), alongside Omega and Tissot.
- 1992 — The Lemania brand is discontinued as an independent entity; manufacturing operations are absorbed into Breguet within the Swatch Group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lemania
- When did Lemania stop making watches?
- Lemania ceased to exist as an independent brand in 1992 when its operations were fully absorbed into Breguet following the Swatch Group consolidation. The former Lemania facility in L'Orient continued producing movements under the Breguet name.
- Are Lemania watches still valuable?
- Lemania-branded watches, particularly military chronographs and pieces featuring the legendary calibre 27 CHRO or 5100, are highly sought after by collectors. Their reputation as a premier movement supplier enhances desirability and value.
- Can I still buy a Lemania watch today?
- Lemania watches are only available on the pre-owned and vintage market, as the brand has not produced watches under its own name since 1992. Military chronographs and vintage pieces appear regularly at auction houses and specialist dealers.
- Which famous watches used Lemania movements?
- Lemania movements powered some of the most iconic timepieces in history, including the Omega Speedmaster Professional, Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs, and Breguet's Type XX pilot's chronographs.
- What happened to the Lemania factory?
- The Lemania manufacturing facility in L'Orient continues to operate under Breguet ownership within the Swatch Group, producing movements for Breguet and contributing to other group brands' calibres.