Porsche Design Lemania 5100 chronograph (Automatic) - Orfina

[truckpdt]

I'm quite new to the watch world, but tend to favour old in most of my assets, including cars.

I've just purchased a "Porsche Design Lemania 5100 chronograph (Automatic)" 1970's watch. It's in immaculate condition and has the Lemania movement. It was made by Orfina at the time. The watch has also just been serviced and the PVD strap is in fine condition.

I paid just over 1K for this, but I fell for the watch as soon as I saw it and was also persuaded by a magazine that said it has good future value. Have I paid too much at 1K? Hopefully I have an eye for something that looks good, and compared to moderns it ticks all the write boxes. I also have an old aircooled Porsche so fell for the watch on this basis as well.

[andy_s]

Sounds like a good deal, stick up some pics though, or we won't believe you.

My Lemanias say hello:


(Lemania 5012 and 1343)



(Lemania 5100)

The 5100 is a great movement, more AK47 than Purdey & Sons, but lends itself well to 'tool' watches; as demonstrated in its use in a fair few military issue watches.

Personally I don't think you can beat the clarity of the chrono layout either.

Nice choice, even leaving aside the Porsche links. (It was Ferdinand Porsche himself that did the original design for this particular range if you're interested).

ETA As for future value well, there are a fair few about but the movement died when Lemania moved to Breuget and so far the only chrono with that layout is a DD module (which isn't as robust and has no 24hr function plus the date is around the outside) or a quartz - 248.xxx (which again, doesn't offer the completness of the original).
You'll always find a buyer and I think they'll appreciate slowly but surely, albeit not to astronomical heights.

Edited by andy_s on Thursday 6th January 19:59

[andy tims]

Well Chronomaster had / have an absolutely mint one for nearly £1,800

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/porsche_design.htm

So if yours is in very good condition & has just been serviced sounds like you did very well

My Military dialled, non PVD version says hi

Edited by andy tims on Friday 7th January 00:01

[Dr JonboyG]

Lovely watches. I think my next big purchase will be a PD 5100, but I'd like to find an issued one, and am in no rush right now. Andy Tims - do you know if any of them date to 1976? Would be a cool birthyear watch.

[andy tims]

This article is a good reference point, but give nothing on production dates

http://brown-snout.com/horology/articles/orfina_po...

The following, I've pasted for a post by Dave Sweeting (whose a real Lemania 5100 expert) on the Military Watch Research forum


[i]The chronograph was designed in 1972.
According to Conrad Knirim, it began use in Bund issued form in 1979, the Lemania 5100 having been in use with Omega since 1974.
The Bund versions ('79 onwards) were only ever done with the 5100, so the conversion from V7750 was over before this date.
I do not think they were offered side-by-side for very long at all, so that V7750 versions are the early ones.
I do not believe that black versions were bund issued.
Both steel and black finish versions were available with both movements, and later finishes (PVD green) only in the 5100
The Screw-down crown was a later development, as was AR coating on the crystal, which was not originally offered.
The black is an oxide coating, which almost sits in the top surface of the metal, and not on top of it. The block green is a PVD paint surface[/i]

So whilst you might find a 1976 watch, it's unlikely to be an "issued" model.

[truckpdt]

Thanks for the comments guys. Mine is a recent purchase and when I have it in my hands I'll post a picture. The above watches look fantastic. Anyone know how long the ones at Chronomaster have been for sale?