Leica completes 100 years this year and what better centennial celebration than a timepiece that’s limited edition. Read carefully, I say “timepiece”, not “camera”. That’s because the German high-end camera maker has partnered with Swiss watchmaker, Valbray to create 100 pieces of the special edition. Those of you who’re familiar with ‘EL1 Chronograph’ will notice the tweaks in a newer version of the remarkable timepiece. For others, we’re going to decode the result of the collaboration.
While the EL1 Chronograph was fascinating as it is, it now dons an “Oculus diaphragm system”. What this basically means is a rather unique iris style dial, which uses 16 colored blades in matte black that remain open, shut or even halfway open, at the twist of a bezel. Going from an elegant black dial to Valbray’s famously busy chrono has never been this simple! Then the bezel and the accompanying text beckon the photography enthusiast as well, resembling the details on a lens.
At 46 mm wide, the watch is available in two 50-piece versions. Both the sandblasted titanium and the black-coated sandblasted titanium make great statements. As for other features, most remain structurally and mechanically simple to the standard EL1 Chronograph model. Inside the watch is a base Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement. The strap comes in black and brown and the limited edition timepiece is priced at $24,700. If you’re wondering how easy or tough it would be to lay hands on one, the watch is available at select Leica and Valbray outlets.
[Via – Petapixel]
