Leica’s watchmaking project grew from a design problem: how to make a watch feel as recognizably Leica as one of its cameras without turning camera details into decoration. In a conversation with Monochrome Watches published on 5 December 2025, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of Leica Camera AG’s Supervisory Board, describes the answer as functional design, German production roots and a deliberately small-scale ambition.
Why Leica pursued watchmaking
Kaufmann says Leica had considered watches before, but earlier designs did not express the camera brand’s design language consistently enough. In 2015, the company began a more serious, sustained project with industrial designer Achim Heine and watch specialists.
He places the effort within Leica’s longer engineering story. In the interview, Kaufmann says the company’s founder, Ernst Leitz, trained in watchmaking, and connects Leica’s camera development to precision mechanics. Leica’s own history also frames the watch project as an extension of its workshop traditions. These are Leica’s and Kaufmann’s accounts of the company’s heritage, rather than an independent history of the watch industry.
Kaufmann describes Leica’s introduction as a camera system in 1925 and cites 16 Leica dealers in China by 1935. In the 2025 conversation, he characterizes Leica’s history as “120 years”; that is his framing in the interview, not a recalculation of the company’s age.
#1 Best Overall
- Unleash your inner crocodile with LC33, a bold Lacoste watch inspiring confidence and courage. Featuring analog and digital movements, it includes an alarm, chronograph, and calendar via dual electroluminescent screens.
- Men's L33-X , Stainless Steel and Red TR90 Case, Black Dial, with Red Strap
- Quartz Accuracy: Quartz movement provides precise timekeeping and minimal maintenance for a reliable and worry-free timepiece.
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters (10 ATM): Suitable for swimming and snorkeling, not deep diving. The rating reflects pressure tolerance, not safe submersion depth.
- Caring for your timepiece: Your Lacoste watch has been developed with meticulous attention to quality, function and detail. A maintenance interval of 3 to 5 years is recommended, in addition to any required battery replacement. Never open the watch yourself.
How camera references become watch functions
For Kaufmann, a Leica reference should do more than make a watch look like a camera. “The references from Leica’s world of cameras are not an end in themselves; they make sense, they have functionality,” he says.
He points to the ZM1 and ZM2 as examples. Their push crown is used to wind the movement and to reset the seconds hand to zero; a red indicator communicates status, and a separate pusher operates the date. The power-reserve display uses closing blades as a visual reference to a camera aperture. Leica’s official L1/L2 announcement describes the push crown as analogous to a camera release button and cites knurled crowns and domed glass reminiscent of a lens element. Those details express Leica’s own design rationale; they are not evidence of a technical advantage by themselves.
Rank #2
- Precise Japan Quartz Movement - Accuracy: +/-20 seconds per month
- Stainless Steel Case , Genuine Leather Band
- Mineral Crystal. 3-Hand Analog Function (hour, minute, second)
- Case Size: 40 mm Diameter, 8.2 mm Thickness
- Water Resistant - 30 M, Module 1333
How the ZM1/ZM2 and ZM11/ZM12 differ
The interview describes two distinct approaches: the original ZM pair, built around a hand-wound movement and distinctive push-crown controls, and the newer ZM11/ZM12 line, which uses an automatic movement developed with Swiss company Chronode. The table summarizes only details Kaufmann discusses; it is not a complete specification or buying comparison.
| Models | Movement and partners | Functions and display details described |
|---|---|---|
| ZM1 | Hand-wound movement designed with Reinhard Meis and produced with a partner in Germany’s Black Forest region. Leica’s official history names Lehmann Präzision as producer. | Push crown for winding and seconds-hand zero reset; red status indicator; date pusher; power-reserve display using closing blades. |
| ZM2 | Hand-wound movement designed with Reinhard Meis and produced with a partner in Germany’s Black Forest region. Leica’s official history names Lehmann Präzision as producer. | Shares the ZM design approach; adds GMT and day/night indication. |
| ZM11 | Automatic movement made with Swiss movement company Chronode. | 41 mm case, date and central seconds; interchangeable strap system. |
| ZM12 | Automatic movement made with Swiss movement company Chronode. | 39 mm case, no date and small seconds at six o’clock; interchangeable strap system. |
The ZM1/ZM2’s German production and the ZM11/ZM12’s Swiss movement collaboration are not contradictory. Kaufmann’s description of Leica’s ambition is a watch brand with German roots; the newer line also involves a specialist partner in Switzerland. Leica’s official history gives the ZM1/ZM2 production context, while Leica’s company information provides additional context on the watchmaking team.
Rank #3
- Precise Japan Quartz Movement - Accuracy: +/- 20 seconds per month
- Stainless Steel Case, Genuine Leather Strap, Regular Connect Type Buckle Clasp
- Mineral Crystal, Date Function, 3-Hand Analog Display
- Case Size: 41 mm Diameter, 9.6 mm Thickness
- Water Resistant - 30 M
What “German roots” means to Kaufmann
Kaufmann does not present Leica’s watches as an attempt to compete on volume. He describes the goal as “to be a respected, small-scale, high-end watch brand with German roots” and adds, “We have time and a long-term vision.” In his account, the project combines Leica’s design identity and engineering heritage with the expertise of watchmaking partners.
That distinction matters when interpreting the newer collection: “German roots” describes the brand’s intended identity, not a claim that every component or movement is made in Germany. The interview explicitly identifies Chronode as a Swiss partner for the automatic movement in the ZM11/ZM12.
Rank #4
- VH SWEEP QUARTZ MOVEMENT: Powered by a VH31/VH60 quartz movement, this ML05 variation delivers smooth sweep-style seconds motion with the convenience and dependable timekeeping of quartz. The fluid hand movement gives the dial a refined mechanical-style appearance, while battery-powered operation keeps everyday use simple and low maintenance.
- SUPER C3 GREEN LUME FOR CLEAR READING: Super C3 luminous material is applied to key dial elements to support quick time reading after exposure to light. The green glow complements the bold Arabic numerals and 12/24-hour field layout without changing the restrained vintage character of the dial, making the display easy to follow during changing light conditions.
- 100M WATER RESISTANCE AND SCREW-DOWN CROWN: The ML05 is rated to 100M for added confidence around handwashing, rain and routine daily water exposure. Its screw-down crown helps reinforce the case seal and is an important distinction of the ML05 design. Keep the crown fully secured before water contact, and do not operate it while wet or submerged.
- COMPACT 38MM PROPORTIONS: The case measures 38mm in diameter without the crown, approximately 46–47.5mm lug to lug depending on the case style, and 10.5mm thick including the domed crystal, with a 20mm lug width. These balanced dimensions give this men’s field watch a compact wrist presence while keeping the dial clear and easy to read.
- SANDBLASTED 316L STEEL FIELD-WATCH DESIGN: The low-reflection case finish, bold Arabic numerals and inner 12/24-hour scale give the ML05 a functional vintage character. Its restrained profile works easily as an everyday field watch, while the 20mm lug width makes it simple to pair with a wide range of compatible straps.
What Kaufmann says about Leica’s plans
Kaufmann says Leica sells watches through its retail network and online shop, and intends to broaden distribution through suitable retailers. The interview does not establish which models are in stock, what they cost, or where they are currently available. Those details can vary by market and date, so the interview is better read as an account of brand strategy than as a current buying guide.
On future products, Kaufmann offers no specifics: “We are currently working on new things. But in general, at Leica, we do not provide details about ongoing projects.” The statement signals ongoing activity without confirming a launch, model, timing or specification.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
