Heritage Chronograph Linéaire
The Return of Lebois & Cie
The Heritage Chronograph Linéaire marks the first modern return of the historical LEBOIS & CIE signature, a detail last seen on a rare 1950s reference. Named in French to honour its origins, Linéaire blends mid-century refinement with contemporary precision.
Characterised by its vertically brushed dial, gold-toned Arabic numerals built on linear geometry, and elegant syringe hands, Linéaire bridges past and present through a design language that is both familiar and freshly reinterpreted. A tribute to the era that shaped it, and a new chapter for Lebois & Cie.
Heritage Chronograph
Linéaire
A contemporary interpretation of the original 1950s reference that inspired the Linéaire family. The warm champagne-silver dial of ref. 324.525 features a refined vertical brushing that catches light in soft, shifting gradients. The applied gold-toned Arabic numerals, constructed on mid-century linear geometry, float above the surface with subtle depth, while the blued syringe hands provide a crisp, traditional contrast.
The dial incorporates a tachymeter scale calibrated to Base 1000, allowing measurement of average speed over a known distance, a classic chronograph function cherished by mid-century watchmakers. Complementing this is a 30-minute counter featuring historic three-minute divisions, a practical mid-century feature originally used for timing long-distance telephone calls.
The colour palette echoes the vintage watch discovered in Berlin, yet the execution is unmistakably modern: sharper brushing, deeper texture, and a cleaner dial layout for improved readability. Paired with a rich blue strap, this reference embodies understated refinement and pays tribute to the elegance of Lebois & Cie’s mid-century chronographs.
Estimated delivery from June 2026.
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Specifications
Crafted from polished 316L stainless steel, the Heritage Chronograph is modestly sized at 39mm with a height of just 10.5 mm (13.9 mm including the domed sapphire). Inside beats the hand-wound LC-450 column-wheel chronograph calibre, delivering a robust 60-hour power reserve at 28,800 VPH. A double-domed sapphire crystal, screwed-down engraved see-through caseback, and a balanced 47.35 mm lug-to-lug ensure comfort and character on any wrist. Water-resistant to 5 ATM (50 meters) and featuring a classic bi-compax layout with running seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, this watch blends mid-century chronograph design with modern Swiss performance.
Heritage Chronograph
Linéaire
The Linéaire design language takes on a more contemporary expression with the rich blue vertically brushed dial of ref. 324.526. The deep tone enhances the gold-toned Arabic numerals and gives them a jewel-like presence against the darker backdrop. The brushing introduces depth and sophistication, creating a dynamic play of light reminiscent of fine mid-century instruments.
The dial incorporates a tachymeter scale calibrated to Base 1000, allowing measurement of average speed over a known distance, a classic chronograph function cherished by mid-century watchmakers. Complementing this is a 30-minute counter featuring historic three-minute divisions, a practical mid-century feature originally used for timing long-distance telephone calls.
Warm sand-beige accents and strap pairing complete the palette, adding contrast while retaining the heritage aesthetic. This reference offers a fresh yet historically grounded take on the Linéaire family. Elegant, confident, and unmistakably Lebois & Cie.
Estimated delivery from June 2026.
Discover more Pre-order now
A refined new chapter within the Heritage collection
Born from archival discovery, elevated through contemporary craftsmanship.
The Linéaire family traces its origins to a remarkable vintage Lebois chronograph unearthed by vintage watch retailer Shuck the Oyster in Berlin, a piece that revealed a seldom-seen side of our early design language. Its softly shimmering champagne-silver dial, vertical brushing, blued syringe hands and applied Arabic numerals expressed a rare balance of sophistication and utility. Most striking, however, was the period signature Lebois & Cie, a charming old-world detail found on only a handful of historical chronographs.
Another characteristic of the original was the use of radioactive radium lume on both hands and numerals, typical for mid-century tool chronographs. For Linéaire, this historic detail has been respectfully revived using modern Swiss Super-LumiNova, capturing the warm vintage glow in a safe, contemporary form.
In line with mid-century chronograph design, the dial of the Heritage Chronograph Linéaire integrates a tachymeter scale calibrated to Base 1000 and a 30-minute counter featuring three-minute divisions. These divisions were historically used for timing long-distance telephone calls, as documented in The Main Types of Chronograph Explained by Their Dials (The Watchmakers of Switzerland, 1951). Such functional, period-correct details anchor the Linéaire family firmly in its 1950s origins.
By reviving the original signature and reinterpreting its defining design cues through modern watchmaking, Linéaire reconnects today’s craftsmanship with the spirit of Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie.
© 2025 Shuck the Oyster – Vintage Watches
The Heritage Collection
A living tribute to the design language that shaped Lebois across the decades.
From the clean precision of Baton, the expressive character of Numeral, and the handwritten charm of Script, to the geometric clarity of Sector and the artisanal textures of Atelier — each family reflects a different facet of our historical identity.
With the introduction of Linéaire, inspired by a rare 1950s reference, the Heritage collection welcomes a new chapter grounded in French mid-century elegance.
Together, these design families form the foundation of what Heritage stands for:
authenticity, craftsmanship, and timeless Lebois character.
“With Linéaire we honour our roots. The original 1950s ‘Lebois & Cie’ signature returns to the dial exactly as it once appeared. It is more than a design revival; it is a reconnection to the name and spirit of Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie.”
Tom van Wijlick, CEO of Lebois & Co
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