Dear all,

I pretty much share the opinion of John...too much 'plastic' to make the movement stand out.

From a technical point of view as watchmaker (however probably not as skilled yet as John...), there's just too much parts of "plastic" inside the Lemania 5100 and its derivatives. If the 'plastic' parts would be used in order to improve their function, friction or reliability then I'd still be able to live with it...but not purely as a cost issue/compromise.

When you look and know the construction of the massively produced Valjoux 72....the Zenith El Primero PHC3019 Cal.400 (and many many derivatives too...). they are a different league. By the way...the Zenith El Primero, in my eyes one of the most beautifull and usefull chronographe movements in the world. Zenith is still very much undervalued in comparison with other brands like Omega and certainly Rolex (don't understand the fuss(prices) around the Rolex watches anyway...)...but that's another topic.

I always compare the Lemania 5100 movement with a tractor. It is a very reliable and strong movement...it can even have some dust and dirt (not really but just an expression)...but it is in no way refined. It's made to do the job...and it succeeds in it very well, but looking at it doesn't give me a warm feeling.

Nevertheless, the Lemania movements were used in some very very appealing watches for sure, and I tend to like the dial layout too!

Cheers,
Abel.