Leica ZM1 and ZM2 Monochrom Edition Watches

Leica has added two new models to their ZM Watch lineup. The ZM1 and ZM2 Monochrom Edition watches pay homage to Leica's now-iconic M Monochrom and Q2 Monochrom dedicated black and white digital cameras. Just like the cameras they are fashioned after, the ZM Monochrom watches feature black-on-black detailing and an understated stealth aesthetic. Functionally identical to the standard ZM1 and ZM2 watches, the Monochrom versions trade a polished and brushed contrasting look for subtle and dark.

The bright stainless case gets an all-business black PVD coating and the customary white LEICA logo is replaced with a polished black logo, sitting on a textured matte black dial. Hour indices, hour and minute hands and the small second decor ring are diamond polished and plated in black rhodium. With all the blacked-out elements, pops of contrast are provided by the minute tick marks, the white date display, the white/red mode dot, and of course, the red ceramic inlay in the center patented push-crown. Completing the look is a special strap in thick black calf leather with the same textured finish as the M11 Mononchrom camera.

Inside, the same in-house hand-wound movements beat away at 28,800 vph with a generous 60-hour power reserve. Flip the watch over and the movement is on full display through the sapphire glass display back, framed dramatically by the black PVD border. Just like the standard versions, the Monochrom watches feature the same patented push crown operation, small seconds reset and mode indicator. The ZM2 Monochrom also sports an inner rotating 12-hour bezel and day/night indicator for GMT operation.

Features

• Leica’s first watch with an in-house movement, providing a 60 hour power reserve
• Patented push-crown-system with mode and power reserve indicator
• Highly domed watch crystal, reminiscent of the spherical front element of a camera lens
• 41 mm case with special black PVD coated finishing (“Physical Vapor Deposition” providing specific scratch resistance requirements), satin surfaces with polished, beveled edges, coated pusher and crown
• New dial design with glossy black logo print and white minute indication
• Front and back anti-reflective sapphire glass
• Strap made from thick black calf leather, identical in texture to M11 Monochrom. Cutedge construction with hand stitching and black PVD-coated pin buckle
• Black rhodium-plated and diamond-polished indices, watch hands, and small second décor ring, with a black lacquered second hand
• Red ceramic inlay in crown (homage to the Leica M designers Ludwig Leitz II and Heinrich Janke, father of the Leica “red dot”)
• Two-year Leica warranty
• Made in Germany

Pricing, Ordering and Availability

The Leica ZM1 Monochrom and ZM2 Monochrom are available in limited quantities at select Leica Stores around the world for $11,500 and $15,500 respectively. If you are interested in ordering one of the Leica Watches, you can do so at Leica Store Miami by clicking the button below, calling 305-921-4433 or sending an email to info@leicastoremiami.com.

Tech Specs

Press Release

Handcrafted foreverness and engineering excellence focused on the essential: The Leica watches are called ZM, originated from the German “Zeitmesser” and bring together 150 years of German precision, visionary design, and outstanding quality.

The new Leica Watch Monochrom Edition takes its inspiration from the latest Leica M11 Monochrom camera, honoring the most fundamental principles of black and white photography: contrast and light. The distinctive design delivers remarkable tones and nuances of black and grey, that reveal a depth of detail that touches and inspires.

Every detail is deliberate. The minimalist design of the Leica ZM Monochrom Edition removes all color, with the exception of the Red Dot; letting the exquisite craftsmanship speak for itself. The fine satin finish of the stainless steel case and the bezel is coated in black (PVD coating), with beveled edges that seem to absorb light rather than reflect it. Beneath the domed sapphire crystal is the sandblasted, high-strength aluminum dial; the black rhodium-plated, diamond cut, and sandblasted indices; watch hands and a small second decor ring that reveals an impressive manufacturing quality.

Inspired by the shutter release button; the patented push-crown is the first of its kind in the watchmaking segment, as it solves a function used by all watch brands in a completely different way. The mechanism is pushed, rather than pulled, which resets the small seconds hand to zero, offering a convenient way to set the time. This is coupled with a separate display that switches between red and white to indicate the status of the watch. The patented push-crown is an intricate mechanism in which form follows function, representing both the iconic design principles of Leica, as well as the brand’s passion for innovation.

Unique features and technical excellence: Each Leica watch is “Made in Germany” and developed in close cooperation with Lehmann Präzision GmbH – from the initial vision through to the final implementation. Concept design, manufacturing, and the majority of the integrated components are being produced in the company’s very own Black Forest manufactory. Most of all, because Leica watches promise exquisite functionality – which couldn’t have been achieved with movements currently available on the market. The manually wound movement was developed from scratch. It’s all evidence of the symbiosis of visionary technology, traditional engineering craftsmanship, and typical Leica quality. The result is an exclusive timepiece, handcrafted in Germany, which reveals Leica’s impressive vertical range of manufacturing.

Mechanically, both models are manually-wound watches displaying hours, minutes, and seconds, a date window, status, and power reserve. Both Leica ZM 1 and ZM 2 are fitted with a scratch-proof domed sapphire crystal, and a transparent case back, and are both water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters I 5ATM. The power reserve guarantees at least 60 hours of motion and is decked by evenly closing blades reminiscent of the shutters of a Leica camera.