German camera manufacturer Leica has turned its lens towards the world of horology, releasing two luxury timepieces: the Leica L1 and Leica L2. While the move may seem a touch out of left field, it seems Leica has been gearing up to enter the world of watches for over two decades. In 1996, the German photography equipment manufacturer entered a new licensing agreement granting it trademark rights for the following 99 years. The agreement stipulated the type of products that could be produced under the license; the first, naturally, being cameras. However, the second was a little less predictable: watches.
Deriving inspiration from previous engineering marvels made in Wetzlar, Germany, the debut timepieces feature exteriors conceptualised by Professor Achin Heine, who has designed several Leica products in the past. Both manual winding, the Leica L1 is a time-and-date while the Leica L2 also comes equipped with a GMT bezel and day/night indicator. Each timepiece subtly draws from Leica’s rich design history, with elements like the domed sapphire glass recalling the front element of a camera lens, while the ceramic red insert and a hint of red stitching on the straps reference the brand’s signature ‘red dot’ present on its cameras. Most notably, in lieu of a conventional pull-out crown, both watches utilise a patented push crown mechanism that harks back to the release button on a camera.
The Leica L1 and Leica L2 are powered by a recently developed mechanical movement with manual winding, with both the watches and movements produced in partnership with Lehmann Präzision, a German mechanical engineering firm. Looking to maintain the ‘Made in Germany’ designation present on their photographic equipment, the movements and most of the watch components were produced in the Lehmann factory in the Black Forest region of Germany.
Applying the same guiding principles of “quality and design, functionality and durability, engineering excellence, and long-term vision,” used when producing their cameras, both timepieces place “the essentials” at the forefront, combining mechanical engineering with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. Crafted from matte black aluminium and featuring delicate white markers and rhodium and diamond-plated indices, the watches take on a streamlined form that is distinguished by their patented push crowns. Meanwhile, sapphire crystal casebacks on both the L1 and L2 ensures the manual wound movements are on full display.
“Together with Markus Lehmann, we expanded and fine-tuned the idea of the push crown,” explained designer Professor Achim Heine. “In contrast to conventional designs – whereby the crown must be pulled out to stop the movement and adjust the time – we wanted the crown to be pressed down, like the release button of a camera. The moment you push the crown, the watch stops and the small second hand jumps to zero. Another click releases the movement again. This is an unusual detail that perfectly fits in with Leica.”
The Leica L1 and L2 watches are available in select stores around the world from 8th February onwards and are slated to arrive in Australia later this year. The current pricing is $15,500 AUD for the Leica L1 and $22,000 AUD for the Leica L2.
Words by T. Angel
