Leonidas Watch Company
Saint-Imier, Switzerland · Est. 1841
Founded by Julien Bourquin
Leonidas Watch Company was a Swiss chronograph specialist from Saint-Imier, founded in 1841. Known for military timing instruments and stopwatches, Leonidas merged with Heuer in 1964 and the name disappeared when TAG Group acquired Heuer in 1985.
- Founded
- 1841
- Headquarters
- Saint-Imier, Switzerland
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Defunct
Ceased: 1985
Leonidas merged with Heuer in 1964 to form Heuer-Leonidas, then the Leonidas name was dropped entirely when TAG acquired Heuer in 1985.
Leonidas chronographs timed wars and races, then merged into Heuer and vanished — the silent partner in TAG's origin story.
Key Collections
- CP-1 Military Timer — A robust military chronograph supplied to various armed forces during the mid-twentieth century, valued for its legibility and reliability under combat conditions.
- Trackmaster — A precision stopwatch designed for athletic timing, featuring a clean dial layout optimised for recording split times during sporting events.
- Semikrograph — A high-frequency stopwatch capable of measuring intervals to 1/100th of a second, employed in motorsport and scientific applications.
- A. Lunser Military Chronographs — Chronographs produced under contract for military suppliers, often featuring black dials with luminous indices for field use.
Timeline
- 1841 — Julien Bourquin establishes a watchmaking workshop in Saint-Imier, laying the foundation for what would become Leonidas.
- 1917 — Leonidas begins large-scale production of military chronographs and stopwatches for Allied forces during the First World War.
- 1946 — Post-war expansion sees Leonidas supply timing instruments to numerous national military organisations and sporting federations.
- 1964 — Leonidas merges with Heuer to form Heuer-Leonidas S.A., combining expertise in chronograph and stopwatch manufacture.
- 1985 — TAG Group acquires Heuer-Leonidas; the Leonidas name is discontinued as the company is rebranded TAG Heuer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leonidas Watch Company
- When did Leonidas stop making watches?
- Leonidas effectively ceased independent production in 1964 when it merged with Heuer. The name was formally retired in 1985 following TAG Group's acquisition of Heuer-Leonidas.
- Are Leonidas watches still valuable?
- Vintage Leonidas chronographs, particularly military-issued examples and high-precision stopwatches, command strong collector interest and can fetch considerable sums at auction.
- Can I still buy a Leonidas watch today?
- New Leonidas watches are not produced, but vintage pieces appear regularly through specialist dealers, auction houses, and online platforms dedicated to vintage timepieces.
- What is the connection between Leonidas and TAG Heuer?
- Leonidas merged with Heuer in 1964 to create Heuer-Leonidas S.A. When TAG Group purchased the firm in 1985, the combined entity became TAG Heuer, and the Leonidas branding was discontinued.
- What were Leonidas watches known for?
- Leonidas specialised in chronographs, stopwatches, and military timing instruments, earning a reputation for precision and durability in demanding professional applications.