"Excuse me sir, do you have the time?" "Sure, let me just check my expensive Leica watch. Oh no I've accidentally hacked the movement some time ago by pressing the crown with the back of my hand. Sorry... nice watch though!" Now in all resiousness, the design is interesting and beautiful, but hacking the movement by accident is a real possibility and that combined with the price is a major problem. Thank you Peter for another great review!
Most people don’t know the camera companies and watch companies were always in a tight connection. Both were all about micro-mechanics. Engineers very often transitioned from one company to another. One Hasselblad executive said that the decline of mechanical watchmaking in the 80’s affected their production greatly, because it became much harder to find engineers and workers capable of crafting fine mechanics. Seiko is one of the largest company to manufacture camera shutters.
I am a Leica owner for many years and understand Wetzlar's foray into Watches - micro mechanics aside - watches is a different kettle of fish - Montblanc bought the Minerva works for their MB watches and Leica turned to A Lange & Sohn which essentially is an OEM - remembering that after the fall of the Berlin Wall - A Lange & Sohne was resurrected by the venerable house of International Watch Company - bottom line both MB & Leica recognize that holography is a different animal from photography
@mathewazzopard8100 when you own multi-million company, millions of different products that have been mass produced, and limited workers, of course it'll ALWAYS hard to control the individual products
Thick watch for a manual. Nice features and engineering. This is what you would expect from a top rated camera manufacturer. I have always known Leica for their engineering quality in cameras. Now a time piece. Interesting ideas and I am sure more to come.
Finally, a true hacking seconds feature. I have not been into this hobby for long, but I always thought “hacking seconds hand” meant what this watch does. Great job, Leica.
The design (not just visually) of the watch is GREAT. IMO, lume not being present on a watch is not necessarily a bad thing. Also, an outstanding movement that beats what rolex has to offer. It's always tricky crossing over and trying to establish a name brand in a new space. Leica has probably done the best I've seen so far. Sadly, it's too expensive for my blood.
Wow! I'm blown away by what Leica has done with these watches. Yes, they have Leica price tags, but they hold true to the excellence and minimalist design/engineering that is ever present in their iconic cameras. Thanks for presenting these, Peter!
I had the pleasure of seeing these watches in person. Personally, I think the price is pretty high for what they offer, even though it was their own movement. But I had problem finding their value within the price and could see the premium feel but in general I agree with this review. For the price there are a lot of other options. This watch is fitting for a Leica fan but maybe harder to attract a more sophisticated watch collector.
I remember when these first launched in 2018 Peter! I just drooled, being a complete amateur photographer!🤪 My late father introduced me to his love of photography & cameras when I was a kid back in the 60’s! I digress. Yeah back in 2018 I was really interested until that price!😱😵💫 Nothings changed since. There’s definitely a “few” watches well ahead of this watch, even if desirable. 😔
The only thing I do not recall being mentioned here is the beat rate. I followed your link to their stores and found there is downloadable PDF of the specs. (just an FYI) The rate is 28,800 bph. Thanks for this video Peter.
Camera manufacturers play games, they give you one camera with NEARLY all the features you need and then release another camera with that ONE or TWO features you really watched in that initial camera, but also left out specific functions that were ideal in the first Nope, no perfect camera I have found in 30+years of Photography 😊
Beautiful watch and likely well worth the money spent. My only question is with the limited history of Leica and watchmaking, what sort of a hit will you take on the secondary market if you had to sell the watch. Time will tell.
Very very cool. I love the button time set feature, ingenious. I do wish it were slimmer, only had inner AR coating and a single domed sapphire to create some distortion (it’s a camera company after all why not?) but most of all I wish I could afford one!
I'm a photographer who will likely never be able to justify a Leica (plus, aesthetics aside, they aren't really what I need). And I'll probably never be able to swing one of these watches, but WOW, those functions are incredible. That main crown is genius, and I can only hope a more affordable brand figures out something similar. (Excellent point about the disparity in scale between the camera and the watch.)
Hack and reset function when adjusting time is one of the best feature in watchmaking so far Why don't the big brand do this? Or anybrand had done this but had not not patented it yet?
Thanks Peter, good review. I am familiar with their camera’s, but not their watches. We enthusiasts complain some times about brands coming out with me too revisions and no creativity and building something from the ground up. Although these are not really for me, I give them credit for doing something different!
Very interesting watch, great features as you highlighted e.g. hacking, date change. It is expensive for what it is, but I’m sure exceptionally well built by a great brand. However, at those prices these watches should have deployant clasps. It looks like they only have pin buckles?
Not really a camera-guy, but I have to say that I kinda Leic-a (😉) what I'm seeing here (I'm sorry, couldn't help myself! 😂) That hack function is awesome, and should be replicated and filter-down to more affordable brands. I like that the GMT bezel needs to be manually rotated. Kinda feels more 'camera-like'. Comparable maybe to twisting the lens to the right focal length? That's what I think they've absolutely nailed here.. the essence and haptics of a camera, in a watch. The button pressing and twisting and snapping into place, etc. etc. Very cool 👏🏻👏🏻
I love Leica cameras.. wish to own an M some day. These watches are crazy priced, I think I'd rather spend less on a M with lens(es) instead. but, interesting from the brand none the less. If this is maybe an M body equivalent, hopefully we may see a Q equivalent in a future watch model.
Nice but too thick even before considering the bubble crystal. The hacking feature is good and sets it apart from most watches but it really would have benefitted from a sleeker design.
At first I thought I was watching an old April fools video, I was tempted but no, I will buy a good used car and a Seiko and paint small red dot on both 😁 Still using my trusty Fuji X-Pro1, no red dot but makes wonderful images.
Very nice. My only thing I would change is having 1/4 turn locks to prevent accidental application of the features, I think they could be knocked too easily
Rotating bezels (with questionable legibility) now count as a GMT complication? Like you pointed out ... screw that. But I will say the camera case inspired case/crystal is very clever.
Beautiful watch and with Leica on the dial, top quality. I love the way they have redesigned the functionality....but the dimensions are ridiculously bygone. The price? With a bespoke in-house movement there are lesser watches going for more, but alas beyond my threshold.
I want a black paint one, in brass. I’m on the hunt for a watch to go along with my M and my BMW motorcycle. I don’t believe this interesting watch is the one I’m looking for though. But it is a cool one.
Really nice looking watches and the functions appear to be great. Just do not like that convex glass - otherwise great (but then should be for the prices).
Peter, I’ve used colposcopes made by one of their subsidiaries in Wetzlar for 40 years. The ones that I used in training were 40 years old then and are still sharp as a tack today. Good company. And another good product. What a rethinking of what a watch is and how it should function. Thanks. 😊
I've had many Leicas in the past, film and digital. A Leica is a gift that photographers make to themselves. There's really no other reason to buy it, you buy it because you want to, not because you need to. The watch world is entirely people who make expensive gifts to themselves. Smart move by Leica to enter it.
You're right Pete, more of a collectors piece. 15K and over is pricey considering it's a prototype. I think it probably wouldn't be for your regular avid watch lover...
Leica coming at us sideways with this one. The movement is spectacular, but at that price? Lol no. It’s cool that they are expanding their horizons, but maybe they should add water resistance to their M-series cameras, first, before they try making watches. Great review!
The hacking feature is great. The date set button....I think every entry level Orient had that feature for decades before they phased it out. I would expect a bit more for a five figure watch.
I have reservations. I appreciate the precision engineering that has gone into manufacturing such a high quality watch but that white line that indicates the power reserve and the white dot just look completely out of place. They spoil the symmetry of the dial, Leica should have used a traditional power reserve meter and positioned it so that it didn't spoil the symmetry, as it stands at the moment that would annoy the OCD out of me.
I know Leica predominantly from land measuring devices. The Leica brand is almost synonymous with technological quality and precision and it's priced accordingly. I think their innovations in the functionality of the movement sounds great. It's unlikely to be a primary motivator for me, but I like the movement of the internal bezel and the hacking action. I'm more dubious about the date pusher, because of the potential for accidental or compulsive pushing. At the technological character it pushes, I think the WR rating is meagre and the the lack of lume bemusing. This should be a precision horological tool, especially because it looks like it. In terms of design and legibility, I think the markers seem smallish or underpronounced, whereas the diameter and definitely the thickness are oversized. At the price, I think mainly the movement and how it works is the attraction. I don't hate the look, but just like a Leica camera doesn't really finish off my outfit, nor do I think a watch like this reflects my personality. But then, for me, Leica products have always been tools first and foremost, whereas my watch choices tend to be aesthetic first.
If I’m buying a German tool watch it will be a Sinn. Would even get a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms before I get this. But I really do like this watch. Money no object. GMT version no doubt.
Interesting enjoyable review - love the cameras, and this great looking watch, but I agree that it is too large with an overbearing wrist present. Then there is the price
Hello Pete, great watches. The engineer in me loves the mechanical setup, the design is also lovely although I agree a little big. These are absolutely specialty pieces geared towar a very particular niche. I think these watches however may be indicative of even better to come from this company. Thank you for sharing my friend 👍
As a former Leica camera (M7) user in the old days of film Leica always did things there own way. loading the film from the bottom and having to release the winding ratchet via a leaver at the front, front facing battery loading (that replaced the self timer space in earlier models) and that off axis film rewind crank.. I miss that camera. These watches are typical Leica, it's all foibles but somehow just works. I can't justify one but I sure would like to experience one. Thanks for sharing Peter.
The price isn’t justifiable for that one as most renowned brands like Grand Seiko, Tudor are available at lower price than this and they are better too
@@flemmingsorensen5470 quality vise they are in better finishing and better after market value as Tudor is owned by Rolex so you can understand how high quality they should be and on the other hand grand seiko is most reliable too with its unique spring drive movements which is maintenance free and have georgeous buttery smooth sweeping hands ❤️
@@mrchaudhary.07 Spring drives require maintenance, possibly more so than Swiss because of their recommended 3-4 year intervals. I’ve had Rolex’s go 13-14 years without maintenance. And if not for my butterfingers and street fights, it’d probably be 23+ years before maintenance.
@@mrchaudhary.07 I have a tudor and a rolex. The tudor is nice but it's a £2709 watch, it's not 'incredible'. This lieca is incredible. And you don't know what the resale is like yet as it's brand new. In house (ish) movement, tudor used etas up until recently. This is more akin to nomos.
Since it’s a camera company, imagine one of the buttons as a remote shutter control! Or maybe it could remotely control something else, for a James Bond vibe
dentists are going to love this watch like they love their leica cameras. probably leicas biggest demographic lol. beautiful watch. love the features and uniqueness. gmt is making me drool. it would be a perfect match with my m11 (am a professional photographer as well).
Since I’ve been seeing it come up a lot… the possibility of accidentally knocking the pushers. I was able to handle some since my local Leica Store here Vienna sells these. And there is no way you’ll accidentally push these down, I’ve actively tried. For one both require a very… intentioned push to activate. My wrists are average, if you wear the watch behind the knuckle as I do it’ll be to far back to activate the pusher with your wrist. If you wear the watch on your knuckle it’d probably be possible, but you’ll feel the crown digging into your wrist (as with any other watches that don’t have crownguards and a 3’ crown) way before you’ll activate the pusher. In either case the date pusher is off angle by enough to not be pushed by accident. The L2 also adds a 24hr day night indicator that’s mechanically linked to the bezel. It’s a way to get rid of the gmt hand that would otherwise clutter up the dial I suppose. But all that being said… still to expensive, even thou this is a complete newly developed movement.
Lot of creativity and definitely surprising for a first batch in the business, but the price tag is definitely out of space, especially regarding the beginner "mistakes" made, but I guess that watch enthusiasts may not be the target here.
There is always an argument for brand line extension into other product areas - in this case from cameras to watches. I assume these watches are aimed at those willing to pay the kind of colossal price tags that hang from Leica cameras and lenses (even though working photographers will use other brands featuring technically superior bodies, such as from Sony, Canon and Nikon, to get the job done). As you say, it’s a niche product and those who pray at the made-in-Germany alter will doubtless love them. Personally, I do see them as a gimmick because it’s leveraging the Leica name. It’s a little like having a Mercedes-Benz or Hugo Boss or other German-branded watch, albeit a much more expensive and technically complicated one. I’m sure Leica camera owners will snap these up, but for the money for me you can buy far better from other ‘real’ watch brands. Thanks for sharing. 👍
i dont necessarily think pros use sony and canon etc over leica because its technically superior. not only are canons and sonys etc more affordable and more available, the leica just isnt practical for most forms of commercial photography other than still life and landscape. a manual focus leica rangefinder is stupid to use for a football game, whereas a rangefinder is much better suited for street photography where range focusing matters more. its like wearing a field watch while diving, or a dive watch while flying an airplane. can you do it? yes. is it the best tool for the job? no.
I agree with much of what you say. By ‘technically superior’ I’m thinking about the standard, reliability and speed of autofocus tracking, huge dynamic range, sensor read rates, the speed of linear motors in the latest lenses and ever-improving lens resolution to match the needs of latest high-megapixel sensors, that you can find in the latest top-spec Sony, Canon and Nikon bodies and lenses. Sure, Leica glass is excellent (albeit at a price) - lenses can make the biggest difference - and with the help of Panasonic its bodies are not a million miles behind, but it’s a deliberate choice to use Leica that many photographers often make for personal use case, rather than for commercial use, because they enjoy the experience of shooting with Leica - as a slower, more deliberate kind of photography. Indeed many prefer older film Leicas, which I can understand. That’s a nice choice to be able to make that allows the photographer to choose the compromises they are happy to make shooting with a Leica. All of which is fine as everyone’s mileage may vary. When it comes to the watches, I remain unconvinced.
"Excuse me sir, do you have the time?" "Sure, let me just check my expensive Leica watch. Oh no I've accidentally hacked the movement some time ago by pressing the crown with the back of my hand. Sorry... nice watch though!" Now in all resiousness, the design is interesting and beautiful, but hacking the movement by accident is a real possibility and that combined with the price is a major problem. Thank you Peter for another great review!
Yep, they didn’t think that through very well.
Yes should be flush and pushed in to release it, then pushed back once time is set.
This was the first thing that came to my mind! I think I would hack the watch many times a day. Would never have the right time
Daaaaamn, what a hacking function! Incredible!
The whole design is very cohesive and pleasing.
Most people don’t know the camera companies and watch companies were always in a tight connection. Both were all about micro-mechanics. Engineers very often transitioned from one company to another. One Hasselblad executive said that the decline of mechanical watchmaking in the 80’s affected their production greatly, because it became much harder to find engineers and workers capable of crafting fine mechanics. Seiko is one of the largest company to manufacture camera shutters.
And yet Seiko has quality control issues.....
I am a Leica owner for many years and understand Wetzlar's foray into Watches - micro mechanics aside - watches is a different kettle of fish - Montblanc bought the Minerva works for their MB watches and Leica turned to A Lange & Sohn which essentially is an OEM - remembering that after the fall of the Berlin Wall - A Lange & Sohne was resurrected by the venerable house of International Watch Company - bottom line both MB & Leica recognize that holography is a different animal from photography
@mathewazzopard8100 when you own multi-million company, millions of different products that have been mass produced, and limited workers, of course it'll ALWAYS hard to control the individual products
Thick watch for a manual. Nice features and engineering. This is what you would expect from a top rated camera manufacturer. I have always known Leica for their engineering quality in cameras. Now a time piece. Interesting ideas and I am sure more to come.
If you're a camera buff or collector or photographer 👍
Elegant simplicity. I kept waiting for him to take a photo with it.
Brilliant innovations on the one, and a beautiful movement. Great show.
🤩👍🏼
What a fantastic and thoughtful design. Of course, wayyyyyy out of my price range.
Thanks for sharing.
👍
Wow, those are beautiful and worthy of the Leica name!
Finally, a true hacking seconds feature. I have not been into this hobby for long, but I always thought “hacking seconds hand” meant what this watch does. Great job, Leica.
Very interesting- thanks for introducing me to this watch as I haven’t seen it on my usual watch channels.
That L2 - wow! Some really clever ground-up thinking there, and it's a looker.
The design (not just visually) of the watch is GREAT. IMO, lume not being present on a watch is not necessarily a bad thing. Also, an outstanding movement that beats what rolex has to offer. It's always tricky crossing over and trying to establish a name brand in a new space. Leica has probably done the best I've seen so far. Sadly, it's too expensive for my blood.
Wow! I'm blown away by what Leica has done with these watches. Yes, they have Leica price tags, but they hold true to the excellence and minimalist design/engineering that is ever present in their iconic cameras. Thanks for presenting these, Peter!
I had the pleasure of seeing these watches in person. Personally, I think the price is pretty high for what they offer, even though it was their own movement. But I had problem finding their value within the price and could see the premium feel but in general I agree with this review. For the price there are a lot of other options. This watch is fitting for a Leica fan but maybe harder to attract a more sophisticated watch collector.
I love Leica and I love these watches... deff on my list! thanks for showing these Peter!
Thanks Chris, a tad overpriced in my opinion (and others) but definitely unique
cheers mate
OHHHH! precision and function .Dazzling
Gorgeous pieces well done
FINally! A watch that operates like a camera. I've been waiting for a long time.
Excellent work. Thank you.
Great camera work, fantastic narration. Looking forward to more videos.
I remember when these first launched in 2018 Peter! I just drooled, being a complete amateur photographer!🤪 My late father introduced me to his love of photography & cameras when I was a kid back in the 60’s! I digress. Yeah back in 2018 I was really interested until that price!😱😵💫 Nothings changed since. There’s definitely a “few” watches well ahead of this watch, even if desirable. 😔
The only thing I do not recall being mentioned here is the beat rate. I followed your link to their stores and found there is downloadable PDF of the specs. (just an FYI) The rate is 28,800 bph. Thanks for this video Peter.
Camera manufacturers play games, they give you one camera with NEARLY all the features you need and then release another camera with that ONE or TWO features you really watched in that initial camera, but also left out specific functions that were ideal in the first
Nope, no perfect camera I have found in 30+years of Photography 😊
This thing is awesome!! Would love a Fuji + Seiko collab 😍
When I saw the title of the video, I actually thought these would be able to take pictures.
Beautiful watch and likely well worth the money spent. My only question is with the limited history of Leica and watchmaking, what sort of a hit will you take on the secondary market if you had to sell the watch. Time will tell.
Thanks for this great video!
Excellent review, Peter-- keep to variety coming!
Very very cool. I love the button time set feature, ingenious.
I do wish it were slimmer, only had inner AR coating and a single domed sapphire to create some distortion (it’s a camera company after all why not?) but most of all I wish I could afford one!
The pushers are brilliant!! Absolutely fantastic
I'm a photographer who will likely never be able to justify a Leica (plus, aesthetics aside, they aren't really what I need). And I'll probably never be able to swing one of these watches, but WOW, those functions are incredible. That main crown is genius, and I can only hope a more affordable brand figures out something similar.
(Excellent point about the disparity in scale between the camera and the watch.)
👍
Hack and reset function when adjusting time is one of the best feature in watchmaking so far
Why don't the big brand do this?
Or anybrand had done this but had not not patented it yet?
Is not the night/day indicator in conjunction with the GMT bezel a complication? To be honest, I think a 3k premium for the L2 seems more in order.
This is the first in-depth review video I’ve found on these watches so far. They’re very nice and very Leica.
Beautiful looking watch, only the price is a shame, but I understand where they are coming from. I have to admire this one from a distance, I guess 😅
Thanks Peter, good review. I am familiar with their camera’s, but not their watches. We enthusiasts complain some times about brands coming out with me too revisions and no creativity and building something from the ground up. Although these are not really for me, I give them credit for doing something different!
Love the jumping second hand when hacking the time, why has no one done that before?!!! 👍
Dude!!!
You are killing these reviews!!!
The ⌚ you feature reflect an intimate knowledge about horology: ⌚ that demonstrate thought.
Just enjoying the hobby, from micros to high end and everything in between👍
i love it!! thanks for the great review and detailed explanations!
That is an incredible watch. I love how it jumps to zero when you hack the movement.
Unfortunately, it is out of my price range. But I really like it.
Absolutely gorgeous, I love it I’d like to know where to go get
Melbourne or Sydney Leica boutiques
Thats crazy, im always waiting for the 60 second mark to set my watch correct to an stomic clock, impressive I must say
Very interesting watch, great features as you highlighted e.g. hacking, date change. It is expensive for what it is, but I’m sure exceptionally well built by a great brand. However, at those prices these watches should have deployant clasps. It looks like they only have pin buckles?
interesting, nice features
WOW WOW WOW blown away!!!
Not really a camera-guy, but I have to say that I kinda Leic-a (😉) what I'm seeing here (I'm sorry, couldn't help myself! 😂)
That hack function is awesome, and should be replicated and filter-down to more affordable brands.
I like that the GMT bezel needs to be manually rotated. Kinda feels more 'camera-like'. Comparable maybe to twisting the lens to the right focal length? That's what I think they've absolutely nailed here.. the essence and haptics of a camera, in a watch. The button pressing and twisting and snapping into place, etc. etc.
Very cool 👏🏻👏🏻
Out of my range, but absolutely gorgeous.
I love Leica cameras.. wish to own an M some day. These watches are crazy priced, I think I'd rather spend less on a M with lens(es) instead. but, interesting from the brand none the less.
If this is maybe an M body equivalent, hopefully we may see a Q equivalent in a future watch model.
Nice but too thick even before considering the bubble crystal. The hacking feature is good and sets it apart from most watches but it really would have benefitted from a sleeker design.
I remember these...🙂 I believe there's a pusher to reset the seconds hand to 0 which is an amazing feature for hacking that I didn't know I needed.
What an over engineered watch it a good way! I would wear the buttons out as well on this one! Great watch and great video 😊
At first I thought I was watching an old April fools video, I was tempted but no, I will buy a good used car and a Seiko and paint small red dot on both 😁 Still using my trusty Fuji X-Pro1, no red dot but makes wonderful images.
Very nice. My only thing I would change is having 1/4 turn locks to prevent accidental application of the features, I think they could be knocked too easily
And a 39 mm filter thread :D
Good review Pete, out of my price range; tell me, have Hasselblad or Zeiss got anything in the wings……
Pretty interesting watches.
Peter, you forgot your disclosure that Leica has sent these watches to you and you don't have to send them back.
Hahaha, that would be nice
Anyone interested in buying a couple of preloved watches?..I am selling them cheap 😂😂😂
I've always seen the tie in between cameras, watches, (time pieces) and pens (writing instruments).
Rotating bezels (with questionable legibility) now count as a GMT complication? Like you pointed out ... screw that. But I will say the camera case inspired case/crystal is very clever.
Beautiful watch and with Leica on the dial, top quality. I love the way they have redesigned the functionality....but the dimensions are ridiculously bygone. The price? With a bespoke in-house movement there are lesser watches going for more, but alas beyond my threshold.
Very nice. Not cheap, but there's watches not neatly as nice for far more $. Personally, I'd want an automatic version.
i can imagine that will go up in value
amazing watch
I want a black paint one, in brass.
I’m on the hunt for a watch to go along with my M and my BMW motorcycle. I don’t believe this interesting watch is the one I’m looking for though. But it is a cool one.
Really nice looking watches and the functions appear to be great. Just do not like that convex glass - otherwise great (but then should be for the prices).
Peter, I’ve used colposcopes made by one of their subsidiaries in Wetzlar for 40 years. The ones that I used in training were 40 years old then and are still sharp as a tack today. Good company. And another good product. What a rethinking of what a watch is and how it should function. Thanks. 😊
wow amazing watch
I've had many Leicas in the past, film and digital. A Leica is a gift that photographers make to themselves. There's really no other reason to buy it, you buy it because you want to, not because you need to.
The watch world is entirely people who make expensive gifts to themselves. Smart move by Leica to enter it.
You're right Pete, more of a collectors piece. 15K and over is pricey considering it's a prototype. I think it probably wouldn't be for your regular avid watch lover...
Great video, just found your account.
Watch is amazing but definitely very expensive
Leica coming at us sideways with this one. The movement is spectacular, but at that price? Lol no. It’s cool that they are expanding their horizons, but maybe they should add water resistance to their M-series cameras, first, before they try making watches. Great review!
And in the rear for the price
The hacking feature is great. The date set button....I think every entry level Orient had that feature for decades before they phased it out. I would expect a bit more for a five figure watch.
A true beauty....I'm without words, a very very great made in Germany! 😍
But how good à time keeper is it?
Great review
Thats awesome. I use a leica m6 to record as well.
actually never mind. Mine is a Lecia D-Lux. They all look the same to me lol.
I have reservations. I appreciate the precision engineering that has gone into manufacturing such a high quality watch but that white line that indicates the power reserve and the white dot just look completely out of place. They spoil the symmetry of the dial, Leica should have used a traditional power reserve meter and positioned it so that it didn't spoil the symmetry, as it stands at the moment that would annoy the OCD out of me.
I know Leica predominantly from land measuring devices. The Leica brand is almost synonymous with technological quality and precision and it's priced accordingly. I think their innovations in the functionality of the movement sounds great. It's unlikely to be a primary motivator for me, but I like the movement of the internal bezel and the hacking action. I'm more dubious about the date pusher, because of the potential for accidental or compulsive pushing. At the technological character it pushes, I think the WR rating is meagre and the the lack of lume bemusing. This should be a precision horological tool, especially because it looks like it. In terms of design and legibility, I think the markers seem smallish or underpronounced, whereas the diameter and definitely the thickness are oversized. At the price, I think mainly the movement and how it works is the attraction. I don't hate the look, but just like a Leica camera doesn't really finish off my outfit, nor do I think a watch like this reflects my personality. But then, for me, Leica products have always been tools first and foremost, whereas my watch choices tend to be aesthetic first.
If I’m buying a German tool watch it will be a Sinn. Would even get a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms before I get this. But I really do like this watch. Money no object. GMT version no doubt.
Interesting enjoyable review - love the cameras, and this great looking watch, but I agree that it is too large with an overbearing wrist present. Then there is the price
Very nice features. Note when you said "anti-clockwise" 5:42 the bezel actually turned clockwise.
Cool watch, great brand, interesting, sophisticated, handsome, and fun, but too expensive for me. Maybe someday, but not today.
Very nice watch Peter
I like Leica ♥️
Me too Junior, not perfect, but nicely designed and different
Hello Pete, great watches. The engineer in me loves the mechanical setup, the design is also lovely although I agree a little big. These are absolutely specialty pieces geared towar a very particular niche. I think these watches however may be indicative of even better to come from this company. Thank you for sharing my friend 👍
How about the button on the crown, could that also be accidentally depressed?
I haven't knocked it in usages myself, but YES thats also a potential issue 👍
That's beautiful.
it's nice to have for a narrow niche of people: ones who loves leica AND collects watches.
As a former Leica camera (M7) user in the old days of film Leica always did things there own way. loading the film from the bottom and having to release the winding ratchet via a leaver at the front, front facing battery loading (that replaced the self timer space in earlier models) and that off axis film rewind crank.. I miss that camera. These watches are typical Leica, it's all foibles but somehow just works. I can't justify one but I sure would like to experience one. Thanks for sharing Peter.
I will admit that while a 'standard' can be comforting the 'new' (that works) can be captivating.
Larger means easier to read, and I like to look at my watch without squinting. Very nice watch, especially the dual time zone.
The price isn’t justifiable for that one as most renowned brands like Grand Seiko, Tudor are available at lower price than this and they are better too
How do you know that they are better…?
@@flemmingsorensen5470 quality vise they are in better finishing and better after market value as Tudor is owned by Rolex so you can understand how high quality they should be and on the other hand grand seiko is most reliable too with its unique spring drive movements which is maintenance free and have georgeous buttery smooth sweeping hands ❤️
@@mrchaudhary.07
Spring drives require maintenance, possibly more so than Swiss because of their recommended 3-4 year intervals. I’ve had Rolex’s go 13-14 years without maintenance. And if not for my butterfingers and street fights, it’d probably be 23+ years before maintenance.
How are they ""better"?
@@mrchaudhary.07 I have a tudor and a rolex. The tudor is nice but it's a £2709 watch, it's not 'incredible'. This lieca is incredible. And you don't know what the resale is like yet as it's brand new. In house (ish) movement, tudor used etas up until recently. This is more akin to nomos.
Cool watches, but the price I don't Leica 😁✨️
Since it’s a camera company, imagine one of the buttons as a remote shutter control! Or maybe it could remotely control something else, for a James Bond vibe
dentists are going to love this watch like they love their leica cameras. probably leicas biggest demographic lol.
beautiful watch. love the features and uniqueness. gmt is making me drool. it would be a perfect match with my m11 (am a professional photographer as well).
Funny enough I know a real good dentist who owns top of the range Leica cameras and lenses, this is ideal for him as well 👍
@@PeterKotsa bro, every dentist has a leica. its like a rite of passage lol.
@@jasonk12345 Haha, thats funny
Very cool watch
it looks very beautiful and beautiful only
Very interesting
Since I’ve been seeing it come up a lot… the possibility of accidentally knocking the pushers.
I was able to handle some since my local Leica Store here Vienna sells these. And there is no way you’ll accidentally push these down, I’ve actively tried.
For one both require a very… intentioned push to activate. My wrists are average, if you wear the watch behind the knuckle as I do it’ll be to far back to activate the pusher with your wrist. If you wear the watch on your knuckle it’d probably be possible, but you’ll feel the crown digging into your wrist (as with any other watches that don’t have crownguards and a 3’ crown) way before you’ll activate the pusher. In either case the date pusher is off angle by enough to not be pushed by accident.
The L2 also adds a 24hr day night indicator that’s mechanically linked to the bezel. It’s a way to get rid of the gmt hand that would otherwise clutter up the dial I suppose.
But all that being said… still to expensive, even thou this is a complete newly developed movement.
Didn't know that this Leica have zero reset hacking second, that's cool!
UNVELIEVABLE !
Lot of creativity and definitely surprising for a first batch in the business, but the price tag is definitely out of space, especially regarding the beginner "mistakes" made, but I guess that watch enthusiasts may not be the target here.
There is always an argument for brand line extension into other product areas - in this case from cameras to watches. I assume these watches are aimed at those willing to pay the kind of colossal price tags that hang from Leica cameras and lenses (even though working photographers will use other brands featuring technically superior bodies, such as from Sony, Canon and Nikon, to get the job done).
As you say, it’s a niche product and those who pray at the made-in-Germany alter will doubtless love them.
Personally, I do see them as a gimmick because it’s leveraging the Leica name. It’s a little like having a Mercedes-Benz or Hugo Boss or other German-branded watch, albeit a much more expensive and technically complicated one.
I’m sure Leica camera owners will snap these up, but for the money for me you can buy far better from other ‘real’ watch brands.
Thanks for sharing. 👍
i dont necessarily think pros use sony and canon etc over leica because its technically superior. not only are canons and sonys etc more affordable and more available, the leica just isnt practical for most forms of commercial photography other than still life and landscape. a manual focus leica rangefinder is stupid to use for a football game, whereas a rangefinder is much better suited for street photography where range focusing matters more. its like wearing a field watch while diving, or a dive watch while flying an airplane. can you do it? yes. is it the best tool for the job? no.
I agree with much of what you say. By ‘technically superior’ I’m thinking about the standard, reliability and speed of autofocus tracking, huge dynamic range, sensor read rates, the speed of linear motors in the latest lenses and ever-improving lens resolution to match the needs of latest high-megapixel sensors, that you can find in the latest top-spec Sony, Canon and Nikon bodies and lenses.
Sure, Leica glass is excellent (albeit at a price) - lenses can make the biggest difference - and with the help of Panasonic its bodies are not a million miles behind, but it’s a deliberate choice to use Leica that many photographers often make for personal use case, rather than for commercial use, because they enjoy the experience of shooting with Leica - as a slower, more deliberate kind of photography. Indeed many prefer older film Leicas, which I can understand. That’s a nice choice to be able to make that allows the photographer to choose the compromises they are happy to make shooting with a Leica. All of which is fine as everyone’s mileage may vary.
When it comes to the watches, I remain unconvinced.
These watches are gorgeous. I would happily give them my money before I do for a Nomos or a Junghans.