There’ll be a full write-up on the work Brian Leiser did to repair my Leopard high-beat Chronometer, so for now here’s a post about the original crystal I managed to source from Japan – the only one I’ve seen in fact! The glass was listed for a different case number than mine, but I knew it uses the same faceted crystal. I received this a month or two ago, but it was only this week that I dared to try and fit it (replacing an original flat glass that Brian fitted):
A rather beautiful, and rare, nine facet glass. Not something to be damaged by an enthusiastic but clumsy owner! However, I managed to do it – I didn’t breathe whilst I pressed the bezel into place 🙂 :
I was so keen to get some photos done I left a little of the clear tape on the bezel that I used to hold the glass in the correct position!
You may have noticed that this post has ‘Highness’ in the title. I discovered that what we have called the ‘Leopard Chronometer’ was in fact the ‘Leopard Highness’. Later models had the Highness name on the dial, or ‘CH’, and the applied gold logo was dropped as was the case back medallion. I hadn’t realised this until recently when I translated the Japanese text in the 1971 catalog. See the highlighted part in this scan, which translates as ‘Leopard Highness’:
I had thought that the Highness simply replaced the Chronometer, when in reality the latter had been the first and original version of the Highness, but with higher production values!
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I am really enjoying the Leopard posts….thank you – Dan
Hi Dan, good to see your are enjoying, thanks for following my blog, Stephen
What a wonderful watch! Thank for posting about it.
What are the higher production values that you mention? I would assume the ‘beat’ is the same as other versions. Is it the degree of factory adjustments? Or the quality of materials as compared to other Leopards?
~ marvin
Hi Marvin – the higher values I mean are the gold medallion on the back and the special gold logo on the dial.
Nice watch and crystal! Congratulations for the job!
Thanks Eduardo
It’s nice to see this complete. Faceted crystal brings some luxury feel to this beatiful piece. Good job with the replacement 🙂
Thanks Mikko
Excellent articles these! I have a Leopard 28800 with this faceted crystal, totally beautiful piece with the green/silver dial. Also recently got hold of a Highness 36000 (the later model with the push-crown). Now all I’m missing is a Glorious… 🙂
Hi Eran – thanks for visiting and for your kind comment. Good to hear you have examples of these very good quality watches 🙂 And very good luck with your Glorious search!!
Stephen
Hi Stephen
Im looking for the part number for the nine facet glass
im hoping to get lucky
cheers Kerry
Oops found it – 54 – 50130 ( also found one on ebay still looking for a second) thanks
Hi Kerry, glad you found it 🙂 Stephen