Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Lebois & Co Heritage Small Seconds, Three Ways to Wear Vintage Elegance
With three distinct dial designs, the COSC-certified Heritage Small Seconds collection is the brand’s understated expression of its historical identity.
Founded in 1934 and revived by Dutch entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick in 2014 (who is also behind the return of Airain and its Type 20/21 pilot’s chronographs), Lebois & Co has gradually built its contemporary collection with watches inspired by the brand’s historical catalogue. Following the Heritage Chronograph, the Heritage Small Seconds takes a simpler route, revisiting the understated dress watches of the 1940s and 1950s. Now available, the three models share the same case and movement, with different dial designs giving each its own character.
The Case
The stainless steel case measures 37.8mm in diameter and 45.2mm from lug to lug, and 8mm thick before the double-domed sapphire crystal brings the total height to 10.5mm. These watches have a compact, classical silhouette, but they don’t feel like reproductions of watches from another era.
The case combines brushed surfaces with polished accents on the bezel and lugs. The double-domed sapphire crystal is important to the overall effect, introducing a nice vintage distortion when viewed from an angle. The fluted crown at 3 o’clock is large enough to handle with ease. Turn the watch over, and an engraved exhibition caseback reveals the movement. Water resistance is 50m, fitting the purpose.
Three Dials, Three Characters
The Heritage Small Seconds offer three distinct dial executions. All three feature polished leaf-shaped hands and a recessed small-seconds display at 6 o’clock, finished with a fine concentric decoration, a welcome change in texture that gives the otherwise symmetrical design a little more depth. Above the logo at 12 o’clock, Chronomètre attests to the watch’s accuracy.
The Baton is perhaps the most contemporary of the trio; its sunray-brushed blue dial changes with the light. The applied baton markers are interspersed with Arabic numerals at cardinal positions. The combination adds enough detail to keep the dial interesting without compromising its clean layout, with a wide railway-style minutes track running the dial’s periphery and numerals at 10-minute intervals.
The Script with the matte “vintage-white” dial features applied Breguet-style numerals and feels the most traditional. The minutes track doesn’t draw attention, and the layout feels very open. It is the dressiest in the series, with the numerals responsible for most of its character.
The Numeral offers a slightly more functional aesthetic. Its matte black dial uses printed Arabic numerals and a railroad-style track with the double-digits to mark each 5-minute interval, giving it the appearance of a vintage instrument. This version of the Heritage Small Seconds feels closest to a traditional everyday watch.
A Chronometer-rated Movement
All watches in the collection are powered by the automatic LC-350 calibre, based on the Sellita SW360-1, the small seconds version of the SW300, itself an alternative to the ETA 2892. It operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour, uses 31 jewels and offers a 56-hour power reserve. Each movement is certified as a chronometer by the COSC. The see-through back lets you appreciate the mechanical construction, with decorations including perlage and a skeletonised rotor with the LeBois & Co logo.
Availability and Price
Each of the Lebois & Co Heritage Small Seconds versions is priced at EUR 2,650, including VAT. The package includes a Fixoflex steel stretch bracelet alongside the standard leather strap. Orders for the 2027 production run are now open, with deliveries expected in early summer 2027. For more details, please visit www.lebois.com.
