rare leonidas pre heuer world war II

Description: Pre-TAG Heuer Military Watch 1940s - Second World War - LEONIDAS.ATP standard caliber - Army Trade PatternPOLISHED original case. The yellowish tone is due to photo effects, but it is not gold plated, ok?The ATP (Army Trade Pattern) series of watches were made available at the start of World War II through a defense military contract with 17 Swiss suppliers beginning in 1939. Surprisingly, in an effort to demonstrate neutrality, the Swiss also supplied almost identical watches, this time with black dials, for the German military.Just over 133,000 ATP watches were produced during World War II, and although the watches were supposed to be destroyed when the fighting came to an end, many were decommissioned and some continued in service. Often, due to war budgets, cases were made from nickel. This Leonidas, however, is made from a robust 31mm solid stainless steel case and has consequently aged beautifully, with an impeccable finish still visible throughout the steel case. There are small scratches (the watch was probably used during the Second World War), but they become insignificant if we consider the age of the piece.TO THE "SPECIALISTS" ON CALLThe ATP's were contracted to have the following specifications: Swiss made manual winding, with seconds subdial, with a minimum of 15 jewels, movements without shock protection, dial with railroad style ring, hour markers and luminous hands. All dials have the same hour and minute range, but different lume marking methods. Waterproof box with screw-on lid. Some are stamped ATP, but not all. Serial numbers were usually (but not always) engraved on the box lid.There were 17 suppliers of ATP watches to the British (they were also supplied to other countries): Buren, Cortebert, Cyma, Ebel, Enicar, Eterna, Font, Grana, Lemania, Leonidas, Moeris, Reconvillier, Record, Revue, Rotary, Timor and Units. The manufacturer Ebel, Revue and Timor each produced two types of watches, so in total there are about 20 watches in the ATP series. Some manufacturers provided watches with 17 rubies instead of 15, like most. Proving it, the last 3 photos are of a Baume ATP military style watch vintage Swiss 17 jewel 1940s WW2, which can be searched on the internet.History of Leonidas that became HeuerThe Leonidas Watch Factory was founded in 1841 by Julien Bourquin in Saint-Imier.In 1912 Leonidas was purchased by Constant Jeanneret-Droz, one of the three sons of Excelsior Park founder Jules Frédéric Jeanneret. This must have been the reason why Leonidas produced quite remarkable movements, precisely because Jeanneret brought with him the necessary know-how. But Leonidas also manufactured instruments used in the automotive and aerospace fields.And what was "Excelsior Park Watch"?It was founded by Henri Jeanneret-Brehm (a member of the Jeanneret watchmaking family), who purchased the Magnenat-LeCoultre factory in Saint-Imier in 1911.From 1918 to 1983, Excelsior Park manufactured a variety of chronometers, designer watches and watch movements for Gallet, Girard Perregaux and Zenith. The company focused on timing movements, including chronometers and chronographs, and was also very successful in the war and post-war period. Its main competitor, especially for Zenith business, was Martel and its close partner, Universal Watch.In 1964 the companies Leonidas Watch Factory and Heuer merged and for a long time the watches were sold under the name "HEUER LEONIDAS".After Heuer became TAG Heuer, the Leonidas name disappeared.Technical informationBrand: LEONIDASModel: MilitaryYear: Circa 40'sCase: Original, in steel.Screwed steel bottom, signed, numbered 451442 - check the photos.Diameter: 31.2mm without the crown and 38.50mm from lug to lug, standard size for a military watch in the Second World War.Dial: Restored original, signed Leonidas.Movenent: Manual winding - 17 jewels - signed Leonidas - working normally.Hello, dear buyer! Don't miss the opportunity to buy this rare vintage piece in excellent condition. Take the opportunity to discover our rarities for sale here on eBay and, if you are interested in a specific brand or piece, consult me about our collection of more than 300 vintage pieces (manual winding, automatic, wrist, pocket, gold and silver case).

Price: 448 USD

Location: Santos, SP

End Time: 2024-11-08T13:52:54.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD