As we left/we leaving

[ROFTOK]

As we were leaving the restaurant, I looked at my watch.
As we left the restaurant, I looked at my watch.

I wonder what 2 means. Does it mean the same as 1 or does it mean that After we left the restaurant I looked...

 

[5jj]

The first suggests to me the passage from the table to the door of the restaurant, the second the moment of emerging on to the street. It would not surprise me if others thought differently.

There is not a significant difference in meaning between the two.

 

[emsr2d2]

@ROFTOK - If you're going to ask us about the meaning of "1" or "2", it would help if you actually numbered the sentences.