Leica ZM 1 Urban Green
Image credit: Leica-camera
Alright, Leica fans — you're going to love this one.
The legendary German brand known for its ultra-sexy, obsessively engineered cameras has done it again — not with glass and sensors this time, but with steel, mechanics, and a splash of olive drab cool. Say hello to the Leica ZM 1 Urban Green, a timepiece that feels like it was designed by someone who spends their mornings capturing street shots in Berlin and their evenings sipping espresso while flipping through a Monocle magazine.
First Impressions: Urban Cool with a Leica Twist
Image credit: Leica-camera
The “Urban Green” isn’t just a color — it’s a whole vibe. The dial has these subtle grooves that pull your eye right into the center, like a well-composed photograph. And that green? It’s not shouting for attention, but it’s definitely saying, “Yeah, I know I look good.”
Everything about the design feels intentional. The brushed steel case is crisp and modern at 41mm — it wears easy without vanishing on the wrist. And that domed sapphire crystal? Total camera-lens energy. Flip it over, and you get a peek into the guts: visible mechanics through the caseback that scream "precision."
What’s Under the Hood?
Image credit: Leica-camera
Inside, it’s just as impressive. Leica teamed up with Lehmann Präzision to craft their in-house Calibre ZM 1 — a mechanical movement that’s hand-wound (because of course it is). It ticks away at 28,800 A/h with a 60-hour power reserve. Translation? You can take it off Friday afternoon, live your weekend, and it's still ticking when Monday rolls around.
There’s a date window, a clever power reserve meter that looks like a camera’s shutter blades coming together, and this neat little “function mode” indicator so you always know what the crown’s doing. But the star of the show? The push-button crown. One press and it resets the seconds hand to zero, like snapping a shutter. It’s a subtle, geeky nod to Leica’s photographic roots — and it feels awesome.
This thing was made to go places. Leica ships it with a black rubber strap that’s comfy, sporty, and doesn’t try to be fancy. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters, so you don’t need to baby it. Wear it with a white tee and jeans. Wear it under a blazer. Wear it on your next photo walk through a rainy alley. It’ll be right at home.
Final Thoughts: The Photographer’s Watch?
The Leica ZM 1 Urban Green isn’t trying to be your dad’s Swiss dress watch. It’s modern, mechanical, and built with the same love for detail that makes Leica cameras legendary. It’s for people who appreciate design that means something, and who want a watch that doesn’t just tell time — it tells a story.
Is it niche? Yeah. Is it pricey? Also yes. But if you're into Leica, or just into thoughtful, well-made objects that fly under the radar, this one's worth a serious look.
Image credit: Leica-camera