Leica: L1 & L2 “Push Crown”

There is a distinct difference between seconds and moments: focus. Focus on the essential. Experiencing time consciously, recognizing its value and the ultimate desire to capture fleeting moments forever – to give them shape, character and a heartbeat – led us to the development of the Leica watch. Our mission: turning seconds into moments and making time visible, as well as wearable. Iconic design, precise craftsmanship and Leica’s uncompromising passion are now embodied in tow remarkable timepieces. Leica L1 and Leica L2.

The design of the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 draws inspiration from previous engineering masterpieces made in Wetzlar. The watches’ exterior was conceptualized by Professor Achim Heine, who has designed numerous Leica products in the past – giving him a profound understanding of the company’s aesthetic principles. As a result, the LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 contain subtle references to signature features from Leica’s rich history. These include, for example, the delicate design of the watch hands and applied indices, the shape of the intricate stainless-steel case, the special knurling on the crowns, and the domed watch glass that recalls the front element of a camera lens.

Both models feature a 41mm steel case, matte black aluminum dial and are powered by a hand-wound movement with 60-hour power reserve visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. Maintaining the ‘Made in Germany’ designation was extremely important to Leica, which is why the company entered into a partnership with Lehmann Präzision GmbH. As a result, the movement and most of the watches’ components were developed and produced in the Lehmann factory in Germany’s Black Forest region, ensuring an exceptional level of vertical range of manufacturing. 

PATENTED PUSH-CROWN

Besides the domed front crystal and the flat transparent back made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, both watches feature the patented push crown “red dot”. Inspired by the shutter release button of a camera, the Leica watch push-crown is pressed, not pulled. Pressing the crown of the Leica L1 and Leica L2 triggers the second-hand reset and the status display on the dial switches from white to red. This mechanism can also be used to set the date with another date button, while pressing the crown again re-engages the movement. The Leica L2 also features a GMT-crown that can display both time zones with a single hand. To complement the sophisticated technology, the “red dot” – design is a simple as it is iconic – establishing the push-crown is not only an attractive but also a very practical feature.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and majority owner of Leica Camera, adds: “I am very happy that this long-term project is now ready to be presented. I believe that, together with our partners, we have succeeded in developing a watch ‘Made in Germany’ that is representative of Leica and embodies the values of our premium brand.” 

Markus Lehmann, Managing Director of Lehmann Präzision GmbH, commented on the collaboration with Leica Camera: “We have previously built precision machines for Leica, independently of this project. It has, of course, been very interesting to work with Leica in two such different areas – whereby the watch project was, and is, a project very close to my heart.” 

Waterproof up to 50 meters and combined with a black calfskin strap with a distinctive red back, the new LEICA L1 and LEICA L2 are available at selected Leica Stores starting in February for the price of €. 9,500 for the L1 model and € 13,500 for the L2 version.