Collector's Highlight: LEITZ BINOCLE 6×18
Anyone interested in the early history of sport optics will recognize a real gem in the Leitz Binocle 6×18: the first commercial binoculars ever manufactured by E. Leitz Wetzlar – and also one of the rarest models in Leitz history. The specimen presented here bears the exceptionally low serial number 347 and is the oldest known Leitz glass in the world. Only two binoculars of this type are currently documented.
The origins of this technical rarity go back a long way. In 1849, Carl Kellner founded the optical institute in Wetzlar; it was taken over by Ernst Leitz in 1864. For decades, the company focused on microscopes, instruments, and later cameras. It was not until 1907 that Leitz began to produce civilian and military binoculars – an area in which the company was to play a significant role during the First and Second World Wars. However, this development began precisely here: with the Binocle 6x.
The 6×18 binoculars went into series production in May 1907, but only in very small quantities, making them extremely rare today. The glass presented here, complete with its original strap, has numerous features typical of early Leitz production. For example, the curved upper housing covers typical of this era, and an open bridge without a bar. The screwed-on strap eyelets, the clamp screw for adjusting the eye relief, and the finely cross-knurled eyepieces testify to the Wetzlar designers’ craftsmanship and devotion to detail.
Technically, the Binocle 6×18 is based on a Porro I prism system. This is housed in an external prism seat, fixed on each side by six screws. The right cover is engraved with “Binocle 6x” and the mark “D.R.P.” for “German Reich patent”. The small lens size of 18 mm makes the binoculars surprisingly compact: only 10 cm wide, 11 cm high, and weighing 380 g.
Remarkably, despite being over 115 years old, the binoculars deliver acceptable optical clarity. This historic piece is not only exceedingly rare and highly sought-after by collectors, but also a fascinating example of Leitz engineering. It’s the beginning of a success story that continues in Leica’s sport optics today.
Leica News
Stay connected to the world of Leica. Subscribe to get notified about product launches, special offers, upcoming workshops, events and exhibitions.
RELATED PRODUCTS
