Model: Pilot ChronographCase Material: Stainless SteelBracelet Material: Leather StrapYear: 1940sMovement: ManualCaliber: UNITAS 45Case N°: 693152Movement N°: 8072Dimensions: 50 mmSigned: Dial, movement and caseNowadays it seems normal to see large watches, with diameters of 40 mm or more. Though, in the middle of the 20th century, fashion and style demanded smaller sized timepieces. It was in this scenario that Leonidas, around the ’40s, decided to go against the current and began to produce large specimens, also considering the type of use to which these objects were destined. The Leonidas Watch Factory was founded in 1841 by Julien Bourquin in Saint-Imier. 1912 Leonidas is purchased by Constant Jeanneret-Droz, one of the three sons of the Excelsior Park founder Jules Frédéric Jeanneret. This should therefore have been the reason that Leonidas produced quite outstanding chronograph movements, because Jeanneret-Droz brought the necessary know-how with him. The heavy all-steel case does not appear to have ever been polished and still shows its original conditions. Absolutely in near-mint condition, the black dial with its Arabic and baton numbers filled in radio is definitely charming. Moreover this watch has been made for the Italian armed forces in the immediate post-war period.Estimate € 2000 - 4000