Leonidas Appraisal

Vintage Leonidas Mechanical Wristwatch

This is a vintage Leonidas mechanical wristwatch, likely dating from the mid-20th century, possibly the 1950s or 1960s, given its aesthetic and the historical timeline of the Leonidas brand. The watch features a round, silver-tone metal case, which appears to be stainless steel or chrome-plated, exhibiting a classic, understated design. The dial is a light, possibly off-white or silver-cream color, with black Arabic numerals for all hour markers, indicating a clear and traditional time display. The hands are a thin, silver-tone baton style for hours and minutes, while the central sweeping seconds hand is distinctively colored red, providing a vibrant contrast and aiding legibility. The 'LEONIDAS' brand name is printed clearly in black capital letters below the 12 o'clock position. The crown on the right side of the case shows a ridged texture for grip. The watch is currently fitted with a stretch-link, expansion-style metal bracelet, also in a silver tone, which complements the case. The overall condition shows signs of age and use consistent with a vintage item, including some scuffing or minor scratches on the case and bracelet, and a lightly aged patina on the dial, which is common for watches of this era. There are no major visible damages such as cracks in the crystal, though a full inspection would require closer examination. The craftsmanship appears to be standard for a quality mid-tier watch of its period, focused on functionality and a clean, legible design. The presence of the Leonidas name, a historically significant Swiss watch manufacturer, adds to its collectibility.