Bomb Timer Leonidas wrist Chronograph, Luftwaffe-Regia Aeronautica, 1942

Bomb Timer complete with its original leather strap to be worn on the wrist by bomb-dropping operators. Produced by Leonidas in 1942 and used by the crew on board with bombing duties, it is complete with its original case which bears the original cartouche testifying to the destination for the German allied forces of the Luftwaffe.

The Bomb Timer dial is divided into thirty seconds; internally there is a flight altitude scale, measured in hectometers (hm) and each altitude is marked corresponding to the duration of the bomb's free fall trajectory. There is also a triangular index, mobile in both directions, via the ring, which could be stopped in any position on the dial.

This chronometer was placed in a special housing on the targeting system called "Jozza" and it was usual, however, for the personnel in charge to wear it with a large leather strap over the suit or to use it as a pocket watch, holding it in his hand.

In fact, the diameter of this second-counter chronograph is 8 cm and the total length, at the ends of the sturdy leather strap, is 38 cm, indicating that it was also used over the flight suit (mod. Giusti, Marus etc etc).

Perfectly functional in all its parts and mechanisms.

The Leonidas Company: The company was founded in 1841 by Leonidas Bourquin Julien in Saint-Imier. It built many instruments used in the automotive and aeronautical fields and produced exceptional chronograph and second-counter calibers during the Second World War. In 1964, Leonidas merged with Heuer, which later became Tag-Heuer, with the disappearance of the Leonidas brand.