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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Monopusher chronograph

Lemania Monopusher Military Chronograph

Partially verified

This military-issued wristwatch is a manual-wind monopusher chronograph produced by Lemania. The watch features a 38mm steel case with fixed lugs and a silver vertical-brushed dial. The dial displays Arabic numerals, syringe-style hands, and is marked with a British military broad arrow (kings cross) and a circled 'T' symbol to denote the use of tritium-based luminous material. The watch is powered by the Lemania caliber 15CHT movement. The case-back is inscribed with military NATO stock numbers, specifically referencing 0552/924-33xx 55xx. The watch is currently fitted with a single-pass fabric strap. The movement has undergone a full service by the vendor's watchmaker. This model is categorized as a military tool watch, designed for use by personnel including air force and navy members, and represents a design that consolidated start, stop, and reset chronograph functions into a single push-button mechanism.

Front view of the Lemania monopusher military chronograph, showing the silver dial, syringe hands, and single pusher.
Front view of the Lemania monopusher military chronograph, showing the silver dial, syringe hands, and single pusher. — Bulang & Sons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bulangandsons.com
Category
Wristwatch · Monopusher chronograph
Maker / attribution
Lemania
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1950s
Source-reported place
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in a 38mm steel case featuring fixed lugs, a configuration often associated with military-issued timepieces to ensure durability during service. The case-back is engraved with specific NATO stock numbers, identified in the source as 0552/924-33xx 55xx, and features the broad arrow insignia.

The silver-toned dial displays a vertical brushed finish and is set with painted Arabic numerals. It includes luminous markers and syringe-style hands, with the dial surface explicitly marked with a broad arrow and a circled 'T' designation. This mark serves to identify the presence of tritium luminous material on the dial and hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “38mm steel fixed lugs case”
  • “Case-back with Millitary markings/Nato stock numbers 0552/924-33xx 55xx”
  • “Silver vertical brushed dial with Kings cross and circled 'T'”

Movement and Functionality

The watch is powered by the Lemania caliber 15CHT, a manually wound chronograph movement. As a monopusher system, the chronograph's start, stop, and reset functions are controlled entirely through a single pusher located on the case flank.

The source notes that the movement has been fully serviced by the vendor's watchmaker. The 15CHT caliber is described as a robust hand-wound unit utilized across various Lemania-produced military chronographs during the mid-20th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lemania 15CHT manual wind movement”
  • “chronograph features operated by a single pusher”
  • “Fully serviced by our watchmaker”

Military Specification and Provenance

The watch conforms to standards requested by the British Ministry of Defense. Lemania was among the manufacturers contracted to provide these tools, which were intended for use by air force and naval personnel.

These watches were ordered for military use throughout the period from the 1930s into the 1970s, with this specific example attributed to the 1950s.

Evidence for this section
  • “The British Ministry of Defense (Or MOD) commissioned watches that would establish a standard, working with manufacturers like Lemania”
  • “primarily worn by air force and navy personnel from various countries over the years”
  • “Dating to the 1950s”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific issue year associated with the provided partial NATO stock number range?
  • Can the movement serial number be used to narrow the production date beyond the 1950s decade estimate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lemania Monopusher Military Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLemania“Lemania”
MovementLemania 15CHT“Lemania 15CHT manual wind movement”
Case Diameter38mm“38mm steel fixed lugs case”
DialSilver vertical brushed“Silver vertical brushed dial”
Military markings0552/924-33xx 55xx“Case-back with Millitary markings/Nato stock numbers 0552/924-33xx 55xx”
FeaturesMonopusher operation“chronograph features operated by a single pusher”
ServiceFully serviced“fully serviced by our watchmaker”

Visible details

  • Single chronograph pusher located above the crown
  • Fixed strap bars on the case lugs
  • British military broad arrow mark on the dial
  • Arabic numeral hour indices with luminous plots

Research qualifications

  • The exact year of manufacture is stated only as 'the 1950s'
  • The specific full serial number is not provided, only a partial format ending in x digits

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی کرنوگراف تک‌دکمه‌ای نظامی Lemania با کالیبر 15CHT

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 588872e239

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other monopusher chronograph records