The giant German camera & camera equipment manufacturer Leica, seems to have decided to convey its superior quality and design concept to the luxury watchmaking industry. The brand is getting ready to challenge its dominant competitors with L1 and L2 models.
The L1 and L2 models are not the first timepieces to represent Leica in the world of luxury watchmaking. About four years ago, the Valbray brand, which entered the sector with its photography-based products, also introduced models exclusively designed for Leica’s 100th anniversary in collaboration with Leica. Apparently, Leica did not settle for it and decided to produce its own watches.
I am sure that a brand that manufactures hi-end products with superior engineering and design like Leica stepping into the world of watches is an exciting move for many watch enthusiasts. And When we look at the models, we immediately see that this excitement is not wrong. Models with simple and at the same time functional designs just like the Leica products are able to give the right to give the name on the dial as much as possible in terms of workmanship.
The Leica L1 and L2 models are separated by small details on their dials. Both models are offered in stainless steel cases with brushed surfaces measuring 41mm x 14mm. Models with sapphire crystals are water resistant to 50 meters.
The simple dial has a small second at 6 o’clock and a date display at 3 o’clock. It is possible to monitor the remaining power reserve from the indicator between 8 o’clock and 9 o’clock position. A small round window, just to the right of the center of the dial, informs you which function the winding crown is set for. In the column wheel coordinated and crown operated system, the winding crown acts like a pusher and features black and red color for functions such as winding the watch and adjusting the time. In the dial of the L2 model, there is an additional disk reading the day-and-night status. Both models use the pusher on the top of the case for date setting. For the L2 model, the bezel that surrounds the dial is rotated by the help of the crown located at the bottom of the case.
25 jewels Lehmann production movements, 25 operate at 28800VPH and offer a 60-hour power reserve. The watches, which clearly express the superior German craftsmanship, are manufactured by Ernst Leitz Werkstätten at Wetzlar - Leitz Park Campus next to Leica.
Both models come with a black leather strap and a stainless steel buckle. The MSRP for the L1 model is set at € 9900 and there is no definite price information for L2 at the moment. Although watches are not produced in limited numbers, they will have a production capacity of 400 units per year at the beginning and will be presented to customers through world-class Leica boutiques and respected retailers.
In addition to the red dial, pink gold-plated versions of the same models in the coming years, there will also be the L3 model with alarm complication in the future.
