LEONIDAS Tipo CP2, Flyback Chronograph, Case no. E.I 1142, made for the Italian Army, circa 1960 A very fine and rare, well-preserved, oversized, manual winding, stainless steel flyback chronograph military pilot’s wristwatch with matte black dial, painted luminous Arabic numerals and bi-directional rotating black bezel graduated for 60 minutes, Nato strap. Fitted with cal. Valjoux 222, mechanical, hand wound, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance with timing screws, blue steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, shock absorber, column-wheel for the flyback chronograph mechanism. Dial signed Leonidas, case numbered. Diam. 43.50 mm. Thickness 12.50 mm. Accompanied by a fitted Leonidas presentation box (damaged inside). The Tipo CP-2 chronographs were made by Zenith, Universal Genève and Leonidas for the Italian Navy’s pilots. This present example was issued to the Italian Army, as designated on the case back “E.I no 0454”, where E.I stands for Esercito Italiano, which translates to the Italian Army. The CP can be recognized by its matte black dial with luminous numerals, its "Return to zero" (flyback) function, which is very important to pilots, its monobloc-type construction, its robust movement and its graduated bi-directional rotating bezel, graduated for 60 minutes. The name "CP" is the contraction of "Chronomètre de Poignet" wrist chronometer (Cronometro da Polso). Two versions were produced, one with a diameter of 38 mm, the CP1, and a larger one with a diameter of 43 mm, like the present lot, the CP2. With its military look and provenance, strong presence on the wrist, lovely patinated dial with ivory colored indexes, the present watch has a unique vintage charisma.