Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph now in Discerning Black & Gold
The compelling retro-chic chronograph looks better than ever in a new colour combo.
Just a couple of weeks ago, we brought you news on the new Airain Type 21 and the updates for the Type 20. Now it’s time to focus on sister-brand Lebois & Co for a new and admittedly very handsome edition of the Heritage Chronograph. Both brands are owned and managed by Dutchman Tom van Wijlick and have been brought back to life by paying respect to past designs yet utilizing modern materials and mechanics. Designed with input from the public, the Heritage Chronograph collection was introduced a little over a year ago. I fell for the one with a salmon dial and tachymeter scale, but there are four models in total to choose from, plus a limited edition with Indian Motorcycles. Until now, that is, as Lebois & Co introduces a fifth permanently available iteration with this captivating Heritage Chronograph Black & Gold.
For this Black & Gold edition, Lebois & Co has left the case untouched, so we’re still looking at 39mm in diameter and 10.5mm in height without the crystal or about 13.9mm with the crystal. The proportions are lovely, and the finish is very good, with a nice mix of brushed and polished elements. The bezel is bevelled instead of stepped like my personal Heritage Chronograph. All other elements, such as the profiled pushers and the knurled crown, follow suit. The domed sapphire crystal completes the retro appeal, while the caseback reveals the movement (more on that in a bit).
The most significant change to the appearance of this Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph is impossible to overlook: the new black & gold colour scheme. The glossy black dial gives it a completely new look, pushing the Heritage Chronograph into an even more luxurious territory. The Breguet-type numerals, leaf-shaped hands and all other dial elements are coloured in gold. Although it is ‘just’ a colour update, the change in appeal is remarkable. To offset the dial a bit, the sub-dials for the small seconds and chronograph 30 minutes have a circular pattern. Paired with the well-proportioned case, the Heritage Chronograph Black & Gold captures your eye and doesn’t let go. As such, it’s a very welcome and handsome new addition to the range of classically styled revival chronographs.
Hiding in plain sight is the calibre LC-450, which is Lebois’ designation for the manual wound La Joux-Perret L100 series column wheel chronograph movement that powers the Heritage Chronograph. That means you can still rely on a movement running at a frequency of 28,800vph. The power reserve is very comfortable at 60 hours, and you get a blued column wheel with polished column tops and blued screws to spruce it up a bit. For the rest, the finishing is quite nicely done with perlage and Côtes de Genève. The movement looks, feels and performs admirably, as I can testify with my personal Heritage Chronograph.
The new Black & Gold edition of the captivating Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph joins the permanent collection and comes on an anthracite suede leather strap. The strap is fitted with the Lebois-signed double buckle and pin. It will retail for EUR 2,800, which is on par with the rest of the collection as it stands today. Pre-orders can be made now, with deliveries scheduled to start within a couple of weeks.
For more information, please visit LeboisandCo.com.
4 responses
What’s the real height please, not the misleading one that does not account for the crystal?
Is the height 10.5mm excluding the crystal? I struggle to believe a chronograph being that thin, even for a manual winder.
@Sparky – yes, this is without the crystal. We’ve included more details in the article regarding the thickness
@JF – yes, you are right, this is crystal excluded. It is about 13.8mm / 13.9mm with the box-shaped sapphire crystal. We’ve updated the article with the correct details.