Internet Horology Club 185
Rare WW2 Kriegsmarine Artillery Pocket Chronograph made by Leonidas

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/990103944/m/7333975997

May 21, 2025, 03:53
Florian Fügemann
Rare WW2 Kriegsmarine Artillery Pocket Chronograph made by Leonidas
This time I am showing another rare German WW2 military pocket chrono in perfect condition - a sought-after "Schaltradchronograph" for the Kriegsmarine artillery with a high quality movement made by Leonidas. The Swiss Company has a long tradition and was founded 1841 in Saint-Imier by Julien Bourquin. This Kriegsmarine artillery chrono has a white "Leonidas" singned enamel dial with Arabic numerals, five blued steel hands, a counter for the regular seconds and a chrono counter for the stopped minutes. The caliber of the "Leonidas" signed movement is 45. The case is double hinged and silver (800) made. The maker of the case is Voisard SA. The company was a member (number 45) of the "Fédération des Fabricants de boites argent" (FFBA), the Swiss Association of Silver Case Manufacturers. Therefore the silver case is hallmarked two times with "FFBA 45". On the reverse of the chrono you can see the original Kriegsmarine eagle, underneath the letter "M" for "Marine" (navy), the abbreviation "Artl." for "Artillerie" (artillery) and the number "3363". My friend Konrad Knirim shows some of these KM chronos in his books. The Kriegsmarine eagles and the numbers on the cases have different sizes. I will show two other examples in this thread soon.

Regards, Florian


May 21, 2025, 09:43
Gary E. Cochran
Florian I know nothing about German Chrono's but that is a beautiful and interesting piece...Thanks for sharing...
May 21, 2025, 14:01
Florian Fügemann
Thank you Gary. Then you should check my other postings...
May 22, 2025, 09:13
Florian Fügemann
As promised here is the next high quality WW2 artillery pocket chronograph made by Leonidas for the Kriegsmarine in perfect condition. Same movement, same dial and hands, same functions. But the Swiss silver case maker is a different one. Instead of "FFBA 45" this one has "FFBA 43" case hallmarks identifying the Swiss company Jean Paratte Sarl. Also have a look at the different mentioned Kriegsmarine eagle and letter sizes compared to my first posted Leonidas.

Regards, Florian


May 24, 2025, 04:19
Florian Fügemann
And here comes the next one I have in my collection. Identical to the other two pieces posted obove. The Swiss silver case maker is again "FFBA 45". But have a look at the very large Kriegsmarine case artillery/number font. Also the eagle is not that detailed compared to my other two. The "Artl. 3208" font is the largest I have ever seen so far on these chronos. BTW: I bought it 2020 from an old gentleman in Germany. He said his uncle brought the watch back from North Africa...

Regards, Florian


May 25, 2025, 08:10
Dr. Debbie Irvine

Thanks for sharing!