While Leica has been giving camera geeks exactly what they want with the recent relaunch of the M6 film camera, it’s also hard at work to capture the hearts and minds of watch enthusiasts. After only recently dipping its toe into the equally precise and collectible world of watches, the German camera maker has announced the launch of the Leica ZM Watch Monochrom Edition collection.
While both timepieces look very similar from a quick glance, with both the ZM 1 and ZM 2 visually inspired by the latest murdered-out Leica M11 Monochrom camera, each has a slightly different set of functions to offer. The more straightforward ZM 1 is a simple time and date watch, while the ZM 2 features the additional complication of a second timezone tracking ring around the dial’s circumference and a day/night indicator near the 4 o’clock marker.
The pair of new timepieces both feature black PVD-coated cases that measure 41mm in diameter and arrive on calf leather straps in the same colour-sapped tone. With each watch offering slightly different functions, they’re respectively powered by the manually wound Leica calibre ZM 1 and ZM 2 movements that serve up 60 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
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Both watches within the collection are “Made in Germany” in partnership with the sophisticated Lehmann Präzision GmbH engineering firm and feature an interesting patented push-crown that resets the seconds hand to zero for more accurate time-setting. It’s a sign of Leica’s intent within the watchmaking space if the brand is registering patents under its own name, which is an exciting sign of things to come.
Much like Leica’s cameras, the ZM Watch Monochrom Edition line-up isn’t what you would describe as affordable with the ZM 1 set to sell for £9,900 (AU$18,657) while the ZM 2 arrives with an RRP of £13,300 (AU$25,065). Both will be available for purchase from May 15.
