CameraWorth.com

Concava Tessina L (Chrome)

The Concava Tessina is a Swiss-made subminiature twin-lens reflex camera that takes 35mm film loaded into proprietary cassettes, producing small rectangular frames. The Chrome version is the standard factory finish. It was aimed at buyers who wanted a fully mechanical precision miniature small enough to be worn on a wrist strap or concealed in a pocket.

At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Tessina L in Chrome have ranged from £300 to £600, with a median around £400 — results that reflect wholesale saleroom levels rather than dealer retail. Condition and completeness of original accessories (cassettes, wrist strap, chain, leather case) are the dominant value drivers today, and clean working examples sit toward the upper end of that band while cosmetically tired bodies anchor the lower end. Buyers searching for what a Tessina Chrome is worth should note the small sample of tracked sales means individual results can move the range noticeably.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: June 2026

Date Price Source
Jun 2026 £200 Flints Auctions
Nov 2025 £300 Flints Auctions
Nov 2025 £338 Flints Auctions
Nov 2019 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
May 2005 £456 Christie's
Jul 1998 £322 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Concava Tessina L (Chrome) worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Tessina L in Chrome is worth roughly £300 to £600, with a median price around £400 depending on mechanical condition and the presence of original cassettes and accessories.

How much does a Tessina Chrome sell for at auction?

Recent UK saleroom results show the Tessina Chrome sells for between £300 and £600 at hammer, excluding buyer's premium.

Why does the price vary so much?

Value is highly condition-sensitive: a smooth-running clockwork motor, clean optics and viewing screen, and the inclusion of the proprietary film cassettes can push the price toward the top of the range, while non-working or incomplete examples sell well below the median.

Is the Chrome finish rarer than other Tessina variants?

Chrome is the standard factory finish, so it is the most commonly encountered version; coloured and specially finished Tessinas typically trade at higher levels than the Chrome.

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