Leica Has Designed Luxury Watches That Cost More Than Its Cameras
If you’ve always admired Leica cameras for the vintage aesthetic, you can now don the brand’s classic design in the form of luxurious timepieces on your wrist.
This is the first time the company is launching wristwatches, named the L1 and L2—and if the prices of its up-market cameras were anything to go by, these cost a pretty penny at US$10,000 and US$14,000 respectively.
According to Input, Leica has ventured into different industries in the past, having made binoculars, scopes, rangefinders, and even a Japanese smartphone.
Now, it’s dipping its toe into watchmaking, partnering with Lehmann Präzision so the items remain German-made.
Both timepieces feature manually-winded mechanical movement, similar design details, complications, and a power reverse of at least 60 hours.
As per Gizmodo, the more expensive model, L2, comprises a GMT function and day/night indicator that isn’t available on the L1.
The former comes with an alligator leather strap, while those not willing to shell out the extra US$4,000 will have to make do with veal leather.
Notably, the watches come with transparent backs, allowing you to take a closer look at the detail of its internal mechanics.
Furthermore, instead of a typical pull crown, Leica has patented its very own push crown for adjustments. And yes, it comes with the signature red dot.
“We wanted the crown to be pressed down, like the release button of a camera,” explained Achim Heine, who has overseen the design of multiple Leica products.
At the moment, the L1 and L2 are available for purchase at Leica stores in Los Angeles, China, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Austria, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.
