Discover Leica's Impressive Entry into Mechanical Watchmaking with its pioneering ZM 1 and ZM 2 Collections

Leica, a brand that has long been associated with groundbreaking advancements in photography, is charting a compelling course into the domain of luxury mechanical watchmaking. The renowned camera manufacturer’s emblematic ZM 1 and ZM 2 watch collections mark this pioneering move, multi-faceted creations encompassing the wealth of Leica’s expertise and precision engineering. Both these novelties are powered by Leica’s debut in-house movements, the Caliber LH-10 and Caliber LH-20.

In partnership with German precision-engineering expert Lehmann Präzision, this illustrious brand has shaped these movements to reflect not just aesthetic supremacy but an unwavering devotion to mechanical precision and functionality. Indeed, the heart of these collections lies in the intricate movements nestled within the case, which echo a distinctly German approach to modern mechanical watchmaking.

Under the guidance of Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Leica’s watch program was breathed into existence in 2015 with the motivation for an in-house approach. The vision was clear- synthesizing a watch in Germany that would resonate Leica’s ethos: mechanical precision, clarity of function, and clean industrial design. This resulted in a run of small annual quantities of ZM 1 and ZM 2 due to the meticulous assembly, adjustment and inspection required by the LH-10 and LH-20 movements.

The signature of these calibers is Leica’s patent push-crown mechanism, a departure from the traditional pull-out crown, offering a harmonious blend of functionality and minimalist design. Showcasing Leica’s engineering prowess, every small detail of these watches - from the patented crown to limited production - reflects the brand’s core value of precision.