Leica launches sales of its new watches, the Leica L1 and Leica L2.

Leica Camera AG has announced that it will begin selling the Leica L1 and Leica L2 watches, which were unveiled in 2018. The two models, which are equipped with in-house movements and feature unique functions, will be available at the Leica Ginza store from Saturday, February 19, 2022.

A must-see for watch and camera enthusiasts: Leica Watch finally on sale

　Leica Camera AG has announced the launch of two new Leica Watch models, the Leica L1 and the Leica L2. The long-awaited Leica Watch is a highly anticipated model that was first unveiled in 2018. The Leica L1 is a basic model equipped with hour, minute, and second hands, as well as a date and power reserve indicator. The Leica L2, on the other hand, adds day/night indicator and a second time zone display.

Its greatest feature is the patented push-type crown. Pressing it alternates between winding the mainspring and setting the hands, which is displayed in a small round window at the 3 o'clock position. This is the function selector, with white for winding and red for setting the hands. It also has a zero reset function, which resets the second hand to zero when the crown is pressed.

　The push button at 2 o'clock is used to fast-forward the date, and each press advances the date by one day. The crown at 4 o'clock on the Leica L2 rotates the inner bezel, which is used to adjust the second time zone. This second time zone can be determined by the day/night indicator located to the lower right of the function selector. This unique feature combines a beautiful design element with highly practical functionality.

　The Leica Watch was undoubtedly inspired by Leica cameras, and the design concept was created by Professor Achim Heine of the Berlin University of the Arts, who is deeply involved in the company's product design and is well versed in the brand's distinctive aesthetic.

　The simple yet distinctive appearance of this watch is reminiscent of the various cameras that the company has produced to date. The Leica's distinctive aesthetic can be seen in the elegantly slender hands and applied indexes, the case's shape that uses both satin and polished finishes, the special knurling on the crown, and the domed crystal that resembles the front lens.

Equipped with an attractive in-house movement

　In developing this watch, Leica partnered with Lehmann Precision, a German manufacturer of precision instruments. Leica has consistently placed importance on being "Made in Germany," and many of its watch parts, including movements, are produced at a factory in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. As a result, the company has achieved high-level, "vertically integrated" watchmaking within Germany.

　Professor Achim Heine, who was responsible for the design of this work, had this to say about it:

"We developed and refined the idea for the crown together with Markus Lehmann of Lehmann Precision. Instead of the traditional method of pulling it out to stop the watch and set the time, we aimed for a system where you press it in like a camera shutter button. When you press it in, the watch stops and the small seconds hand returns to the zero position, and when you press it in again, the watch starts again. It's a mechanism full of originality worthy of a Leica product."

　Markus Lehmann, president of Lehmann Precision, also commented on the collaboration with Leica, saying, "In addition to this project, we have previously manufactured precision machinery for Leica.Collaborations with Leica are always very interesting because they involve two completely different fields, but the project to develop a wristwatch has always been and will continue to be of particular significance to our company."

　Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, owner of Leica Camera AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, commented, "I am extremely pleased to finally be able to announce this long-term project. Together with our partners, Professor Heine and Lehmann Precision, I am confident that we have created a 'Made in Germany' watch that is distinctively Leica and embodies the values ​​of a premium brand."

　The Leica L1 and Leica L2 will finally be available at the Leica Ginza store from Saturday, February 19, 2022. If you're interested, be sure to come and see the actual cameras with your own eyes.