![\"Le](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/breitling.jpg\")
The\u00a0instruments\u00a0able to measure time\u00a0fractions\u00a0were originally invented at the beginning of the 18th century to meet the scientists\u2019 expectations to calculate time duration. Different creators are fighting for the recognition of one inventor or another for the chronograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the origins of the\u00a0timekeeping<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSome say that it would have been invented by the English watchmaker and astronomer George Graham in the middle of the Age of the Enlightenment, other mention the Genevan watchmaker Jean-Mo\u00efse Pouzait who, in 1776 would have made a mechanichal\u00a0toolable to measure time\u00a0fractions. Some followers talk about Louis Moinet\u00a0and his\u00a0compteur de tierces as the missing link. Finally, all agree\u00a0to recognise\u00a0that the French watchmaker Nicolas-Matthieu Rieussec has created in 1822 the first tool to measure time etymologically able to write time. These machines sometimes far from the watches should serve the scientists in order to measure stars run or different events, but could be also used by horse ranchers or even race-goers well decided to assess the performance of the animals\u00a0destinated to compete\u00a0in prize-winning horse racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Le](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/nicolasrieussec-1.jpg\")
The\u00a0chronograph with seconds indicator\u00a0was invented by Nicolas-Matthieu Rieussec in 1822. The measured time is\u00a0written in<\/strong>\u00a0ink on the dial by\u00a0the hand with a small reservoir at its tip.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The beginnings of the rattrapante<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHowever, as\u00a0soon as the first\u00a0instrument\u00a0to which we owe the name of chronograph, was built, we wondered if we could measure\u00a0split\u00a0time from a main measurement.\u00a0Certainly,\u00a0the invention of the split-seconds function was in the spirit of\u00a0its time. In 1828, Louis-Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Perrelet registered a patent\u00a0for a\u00a0split-seconds\u00a0chronograph and in 1831 so did the watchmaker Joseph Thadd\u00e4us Winnerl. This very year, he created a pocket watch equiped with a second independent from the movement that could be stoped\u00a0at will. Then seven years later, he invented a\u00a0deviceusing two\u00a0second hands, the first to indicate the\u00a0start\u00a0of a measurement and the other one to indicate the\u00a0end. The\u00a0principle of\u00a0split-seconds were born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The split-secondsare looking for inventor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAfter 1862, date of the rapid spread of the chronographs following the patents registration of the\u00a0zero-reset mechanisms of the reliable and\u00a0easy to manufacture\u00a0hands, could be thought the\u00a0development of systems\u00a0making it possible to make\u00a0measurements of\u00a0split time\u00a0but also able from a same\u00a0instrument, to measure time of two events having the same starting time but not the same ending time. We will remember that the first\u00a0pieces\u00a0of split-seconds chronographs exist since the 19th. By lack of thorough research, it is impossible to\u00a0attribute, to this day, his invention under its modern\u00a0version\u00a0in particular to a watchmaker. Despite that, we will remember that this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of chronograph\u00a0found\u00a0an immediate use in the sports world and\u00a0industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Calibre](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/calibrepatek-1.jpg\")
Rattrapante calibre of the\u00a0watch\u00a0manufacturing\u00a0Patek Philippe<\/a>. We notice the existence of\u00a0two\u00a0column wheel<\/em>\u00a0hidden<\/em>\u00a0under their little\u00a0cap, typical of the watch manufacturing and in particular,\u00a0the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs\u00a0at the centre of the mechanical movement with manual winding carefully finished.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow split-seconds work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom\u00a01890 to 1900\u00a0several specialised brands offered\u00a0sports counters\u00a0including this\u00a0function. Fascinating of technique and very useful, the split-seconds is a mechanism\u00a0integrated\u00a0in achronograph calibre. It contains\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0led by a column wheel activated by a specific\u00a0button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, to make it work,\u00a0you must\u00a0start a\u00a0timekeeping in order to let out the two hands placed on top of the other. To be able to read a\u00a0split time,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0need to\u00a0press\u00a0the split-seconds\u00a0button. The pressure made on the\u00a0split-seconds button\u00a0activates the column wheel that let out the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs. Immediately, its jaws\u00a0grip\u00a0the\u00a0finely-toothed wheelwith\u00a0which the split-seconds hand is\u00a0linked\u00a0by its\u00a0axis. This action\u00a0causes it to stop while the chronograph second hand\u00a0continues\u00a0to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new pressure on the split seconds\u00a0push-button\u00a0and the hand\u00a0let out\u00a0from the\u00a0clamp springs\u2019pressure, comes back\u00a0in a split second\u00a0above the chronograph second hand whether it is moving or stopped if the user\u00a0has\u00a0stopped the main measurement by pressing the\u00a0chronograph\u00a0stop\u00a0push-button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Calibre](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/lange-2.jpg\")
Rattrapante chronograph calibre offered by the Saxon watch manufacturing\u00a0A. Lange & S\u00f6hne<\/a>. On this piece, the springbar plier sis directly activated by the dedicated<\/strong> column wheel. We notice on the rattrapante wheel, the return spring and the\u00a0lever pivot\u00a0acting on the heart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis succession of sequences simple in appearance, needs\u00a0perfect\u00a0machining\u00a0and a\u00a0very meticulous\u00a0assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to have in mind that the split-seconds second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0passes\u00a0witout any friction in the chronograph second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0whose diameter is only a few tenths of a millimetre. On this delicate\u00a0axis\u00a0is\u00a0riveted\u00a0the split-seconds wheel on which is\u00a0assembled a spring that presses a lever freely screwed on\u00a0the rim of the wheel. The spring has\u00a0at\u00a0its other end a\u00a0ruby\u00a0roller\u00a0rolling on the\u00a0outer\u00a0of the split-seconds heart strongly\u00a0riveted\u00a0on the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the chronograph second hand that is itself\u00a0fixed\u00a0to\u00a0a wheel on which is screwed a\u00a0zero-reset heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Chronographe](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/patek2-1.jpg\")
Split-seconds chronograph from Patek Philippe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe split-seconds are a subtle and rare\u00a0function\u00a0in the collection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs we can see, the rarity of this function is explained by the manufacturing complexity of such mechanical system.\u00a0It is necessary to\u00a0imagine the difficulty to come through the\u00a0chrono\u00a0second hand\u00a0axis\u00a0whose diametre is a few tenths of millimetres. Then,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to assemble on the split-seconds free wheel,\u00a0the elements allowing the return of the split-seconds hand in the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the one of the chronograph. But also, finding the right spring torque so that it does not affect the measurement\u00a0of time\u00a0because of a\u00a0too significant\u00a0friction made on the heart that allows the system to\u00a0return\u00a0to zero. Finally,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to make the two jaws of the\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0work without excess so that they do not damage the wheel, but also\u00a0sufficiently\u00a0so that the wheel does not keep turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Chronographe](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/vacheron-1.jpg\")
Rattrapante chronograph with monopusher from Vacheron Constantin.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuch delicate manufacture needs\u00a0the use of\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0mechanics, assemblers and watchmakers. Here is why, for a long time, this\u00a0function\u00a0was\u00a0confined to\u00a0sports countersequipped\u00a0with\u00a0large\u00a0calibres. This explains why the first split-seconds chronograph bracelet was\u00a0only made\u00a0in 1919 by the watch manufacturing Patek Philippe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Chronographe](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/iwc.jpg\")
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition \u00ab Boutique Rue de la Paix \u00bb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, a few specialised brands in the\u00a0manufacture\u00a0of\u00a0chronograph\u00a0calibres\u00a0such as\u00a0Venus, L\u00e9mania or Valjoux offered this speciality\u00a0in\u00a0their catalogue during the decade of the 1940s and 1950s. Today,\u00a0still\u00a0very rare, this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of the chronograph is offered\u00a0in small quantities. It is in different brands that we are not going to list here. We will only remember that it is possible to find some in Patek Philippe, F.P Journe, A. Lange & S\u00f6hne, Breitling, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Rado, Panerai and a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Montblanc](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/montblanc.jpg\")
Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858<\/a> ExoTourbillon \u00e0 Rattrapante.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will note for information and to conclude that, during the 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s, the brand Dubey & Schaldenbrand realeased a chronograp equipped with a simplified mechanism\u00a0making it possible\u00a0to measure\u00a0split time\u00a0over\u00a0a short\u00a0duration\u00a0thanks to the\u00a0installation\u00a0between the two second hand chronograph of a watch balance spring.\u00a0The original\u00a0instrument\u00a0named\u00a0Split-Second \u201cSpiral\u201d Chronograph\u00a0was very successful\u00a0and is still in the catalogue of the maison today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Rare](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/image.jpeg\")
Rare d-Star Rado<\/a> chronograph piece with split-seconds chronograph.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will also remember that the watch manufacturing Parmigiani Fleurier made in 2022, the Tonda PF GMT\u00a0rattrapante monopusher<\/a>\u00a0 whose Greenwich\u00a0Mean Time (GMT) function is linked to with a hand working as the one of a chronograph split-seconds hand and can be\u00a0reset to include the one indicating the time of the starting place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Parmigiani](\"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/parmi.jpg\")
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante\u00a0monopusher. An original and patented watchmaking exception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The beginnings of the rattrapante<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHowever, as\u00a0soon as the first\u00a0instrument\u00a0to which we owe the name of chronograph, was built, we wondered if we could measure\u00a0split\u00a0time from a main measurement.\u00a0Certainly,\u00a0the invention of the split-seconds function was in the spirit of\u00a0its time. In 1828, Louis-Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Perrelet registered a patent\u00a0for a\u00a0split-seconds\u00a0chronograph and in 1831 so did the watchmaker Joseph Thadd\u00e4us Winnerl. This very year, he created a pocket watch equiped with a second independent from the movement that could be stoped\u00a0at will. Then seven years later, he invented a\u00a0deviceusing two\u00a0second hands, the first to indicate the\u00a0start\u00a0of a measurement and the other one to indicate the\u00a0end. The\u00a0principle of\u00a0split-seconds were born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The split-secondsare looking for inventor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAfter 1862, date of the rapid spread of the chronographs following the patents registration of the\u00a0zero-reset mechanisms of the reliable and\u00a0easy to manufacture\u00a0hands, could be thought the\u00a0development of systems\u00a0making it possible to make\u00a0measurements of\u00a0split time\u00a0but also able from a same\u00a0instrument, to measure time of two events having the same starting time but not the same ending time. We will remember that the first\u00a0pieces\u00a0of split-seconds chronographs exist since the 19th. By lack of thorough research, it is impossible to\u00a0attribute, to this day, his invention under its modern\u00a0version\u00a0in particular to a watchmaker. Despite that, we will remember that this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of chronograph\u00a0found\u00a0an immediate use in the sports world and\u00a0industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante calibre of the\u00a0watch\u00a0manufacturing\u00a0Patek Philippe<\/a>. We notice the existence of\u00a0two\u00a0column wheel<\/em>\u00a0hidden<\/em>\u00a0under their little\u00a0cap, typical of the watch manufacturing and in particular,\u00a0the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs\u00a0at the centre of the mechanical movement with manual winding carefully finished.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow split-seconds work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom\u00a01890 to 1900\u00a0several specialised brands offered\u00a0sports counters\u00a0including this\u00a0function. Fascinating of technique and very useful, the split-seconds is a mechanism\u00a0integrated\u00a0in achronograph calibre. It contains\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0led by a column wheel activated by a specific\u00a0button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, to make it work,\u00a0you must\u00a0start a\u00a0timekeeping in order to let out the two hands placed on top of the other. To be able to read a\u00a0split time,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0need to\u00a0press\u00a0the split-seconds\u00a0button. The pressure made on the\u00a0split-seconds button\u00a0activates the column wheel that let out the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs. Immediately, its jaws\u00a0grip\u00a0the\u00a0finely-toothed wheelwith\u00a0which the split-seconds hand is\u00a0linked\u00a0by its\u00a0axis. This action\u00a0causes it to stop while the chronograph second hand\u00a0continues\u00a0to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new pressure on the split seconds\u00a0push-button\u00a0and the hand\u00a0let out\u00a0from the\u00a0clamp springs\u2019pressure, comes back\u00a0in a split second\u00a0above the chronograph second hand whether it is moving or stopped if the user\u00a0has\u00a0stopped the main measurement by pressing the\u00a0chronograph\u00a0stop\u00a0push-button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph calibre offered by the Saxon watch manufacturing\u00a0A. Lange & S\u00f6hne<\/a>. On this piece, the springbar plier sis directly activated by the dedicated<\/strong> column wheel. We notice on the rattrapante wheel, the return spring and the\u00a0lever pivot\u00a0acting on the heart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis succession of sequences simple in appearance, needs\u00a0perfect\u00a0machining\u00a0and a\u00a0very meticulous\u00a0assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to have in mind that the split-seconds second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0passes\u00a0witout any friction in the chronograph second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0whose diameter is only a few tenths of a millimetre. On this delicate\u00a0axis\u00a0is\u00a0riveted\u00a0the split-seconds wheel on which is\u00a0assembled a spring that presses a lever freely screwed on\u00a0the rim of the wheel. The spring has\u00a0at\u00a0its other end a\u00a0ruby\u00a0roller\u00a0rolling on the\u00a0outer\u00a0of the split-seconds heart strongly\u00a0riveted\u00a0on the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the chronograph second hand that is itself\u00a0fixed\u00a0to\u00a0a wheel on which is screwed a\u00a0zero-reset heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nSplit-seconds chronograph from Patek Philippe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe split-seconds are a subtle and rare\u00a0function\u00a0in the collection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs we can see, the rarity of this function is explained by the manufacturing complexity of such mechanical system.\u00a0It is necessary to\u00a0imagine the difficulty to come through the\u00a0chrono\u00a0second hand\u00a0axis\u00a0whose diametre is a few tenths of millimetres. Then,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to assemble on the split-seconds free wheel,\u00a0the elements allowing the return of the split-seconds hand in the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the one of the chronograph. But also, finding the right spring torque so that it does not affect the measurement\u00a0of time\u00a0because of a\u00a0too significant\u00a0friction made on the heart that allows the system to\u00a0return\u00a0to zero. Finally,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to make the two jaws of the\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0work without excess so that they do not damage the wheel, but also\u00a0sufficiently\u00a0so that the wheel does not keep turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph with monopusher from Vacheron Constantin.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuch delicate manufacture needs\u00a0the use of\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0mechanics, assemblers and watchmakers. Here is why, for a long time, this\u00a0function\u00a0was\u00a0confined to\u00a0sports countersequipped\u00a0with\u00a0large\u00a0calibres. This explains why the first split-seconds chronograph bracelet was\u00a0only made\u00a0in 1919 by the watch manufacturing Patek Philippe.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition \u00ab Boutique Rue de la Paix \u00bb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, a few specialised brands in the\u00a0manufacture\u00a0of\u00a0chronograph\u00a0calibres\u00a0such as\u00a0Venus, L\u00e9mania or Valjoux offered this speciality\u00a0in\u00a0their catalogue during the decade of the 1940s and 1950s. Today,\u00a0still\u00a0very rare, this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of the chronograph is offered\u00a0in small quantities. It is in different brands that we are not going to list here. We will only remember that it is possible to find some in Patek Philippe, F.P Journe, A. Lange & S\u00f6hne, Breitling, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Rado, Panerai and a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMontblanc Collection Villeret 1858<\/a> ExoTourbillon \u00e0 Rattrapante.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will note for information and to conclude that, during the 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s, the brand Dubey & Schaldenbrand realeased a chronograp equipped with a simplified mechanism\u00a0making it possible\u00a0to measure\u00a0split time\u00a0over\u00a0a short\u00a0duration\u00a0thanks to the\u00a0installation\u00a0between the two second hand chronograph of a watch balance spring.\u00a0The original\u00a0instrument\u00a0named\u00a0Split-Second \u201cSpiral\u201d Chronograph\u00a0was very successful\u00a0and is still in the catalogue of the maison today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRare d-Star Rado<\/a> chronograph piece with split-seconds chronograph.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will also remember that the watch manufacturing Parmigiani Fleurier made in 2022, the Tonda PF GMT\u00a0rattrapante monopusher<\/a>\u00a0 whose Greenwich\u00a0Mean Time (GMT) function is linked to with a hand working as the one of a chronograph split-seconds hand and can be\u00a0reset to include the one indicating the time of the starting place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nParmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante\u00a0monopusher. An original and patented watchmaking exception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, as\u00a0soon as the first\u00a0instrument\u00a0to which we owe the name of chronograph, was built, we wondered if we could measure\u00a0split\u00a0time from a main measurement.\u00a0Certainly,\u00a0the invention of the split-seconds function was in the spirit of\u00a0its time. In 1828, Louis-Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Perrelet registered a patent\u00a0for a\u00a0split-seconds\u00a0chronograph and in 1831 so did the watchmaker Joseph Thadd\u00e4us Winnerl. This very year, he created a pocket watch equiped with a second independent from the movement that could be stoped\u00a0at will. Then seven years later, he invented a\u00a0deviceusing two\u00a0second hands, the first to indicate the\u00a0start\u00a0of a measurement and the other one to indicate the\u00a0end. The\u00a0principle of\u00a0split-seconds were born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The split-secondsare looking for inventor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAfter 1862, date of the rapid spread of the chronographs following the patents registration of the\u00a0zero-reset mechanisms of the reliable and\u00a0easy to manufacture\u00a0hands, could be thought the\u00a0development of systems\u00a0making it possible to make\u00a0measurements of\u00a0split time\u00a0but also able from a same\u00a0instrument, to measure time of two events having the same starting time but not the same ending time. We will remember that the first\u00a0pieces\u00a0of split-seconds chronographs exist since the 19th. By lack of thorough research, it is impossible to\u00a0attribute, to this day, his invention under its modern\u00a0version\u00a0in particular to a watchmaker. Despite that, we will remember that this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of chronograph\u00a0found\u00a0an immediate use in the sports world and\u00a0industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante calibre of the\u00a0watch\u00a0manufacturing\u00a0Patek Philippe<\/a>. We notice the existence of\u00a0two\u00a0column wheel<\/em>\u00a0hidden<\/em>\u00a0under their little\u00a0cap, typical of the watch manufacturing and in particular,\u00a0the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs\u00a0at the centre of the mechanical movement with manual winding carefully finished.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow split-seconds work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom\u00a01890 to 1900\u00a0several specialised brands offered\u00a0sports counters\u00a0including this\u00a0function. Fascinating of technique and very useful, the split-seconds is a mechanism\u00a0integrated\u00a0in achronograph calibre. It contains\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0led by a column wheel activated by a specific\u00a0button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, to make it work,\u00a0you must\u00a0start a\u00a0timekeeping in order to let out the two hands placed on top of the other. To be able to read a\u00a0split time,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0need to\u00a0press\u00a0the split-seconds\u00a0button. The pressure made on the\u00a0split-seconds button\u00a0activates the column wheel that let out the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs. Immediately, its jaws\u00a0grip\u00a0the\u00a0finely-toothed wheelwith\u00a0which the split-seconds hand is\u00a0linked\u00a0by its\u00a0axis. This action\u00a0causes it to stop while the chronograph second hand\u00a0continues\u00a0to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new pressure on the split seconds\u00a0push-button\u00a0and the hand\u00a0let out\u00a0from the\u00a0clamp springs\u2019pressure, comes back\u00a0in a split second\u00a0above the chronograph second hand whether it is moving or stopped if the user\u00a0has\u00a0stopped the main measurement by pressing the\u00a0chronograph\u00a0stop\u00a0push-button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph calibre offered by the Saxon watch manufacturing\u00a0A. Lange & S\u00f6hne<\/a>. On this piece, the springbar plier sis directly activated by the dedicated<\/strong> column wheel. We notice on the rattrapante wheel, the return spring and the\u00a0lever pivot\u00a0acting on the heart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis succession of sequences simple in appearance, needs\u00a0perfect\u00a0machining\u00a0and a\u00a0very meticulous\u00a0assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to have in mind that the split-seconds second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0passes\u00a0witout any friction in the chronograph second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0whose diameter is only a few tenths of a millimetre. On this delicate\u00a0axis\u00a0is\u00a0riveted\u00a0the split-seconds wheel on which is\u00a0assembled a spring that presses a lever freely screwed on\u00a0the rim of the wheel. The spring has\u00a0at\u00a0its other end a\u00a0ruby\u00a0roller\u00a0rolling on the\u00a0outer\u00a0of the split-seconds heart strongly\u00a0riveted\u00a0on the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the chronograph second hand that is itself\u00a0fixed\u00a0to\u00a0a wheel on which is screwed a\u00a0zero-reset heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nSplit-seconds chronograph from Patek Philippe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe split-seconds are a subtle and rare\u00a0function\u00a0in the collection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs we can see, the rarity of this function is explained by the manufacturing complexity of such mechanical system.\u00a0It is necessary to\u00a0imagine the difficulty to come through the\u00a0chrono\u00a0second hand\u00a0axis\u00a0whose diametre is a few tenths of millimetres. Then,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to assemble on the split-seconds free wheel,\u00a0the elements allowing the return of the split-seconds hand in the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the one of the chronograph. But also, finding the right spring torque so that it does not affect the measurement\u00a0of time\u00a0because of a\u00a0too significant\u00a0friction made on the heart that allows the system to\u00a0return\u00a0to zero. Finally,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to make the two jaws of the\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0work without excess so that they do not damage the wheel, but also\u00a0sufficiently\u00a0so that the wheel does not keep turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph with monopusher from Vacheron Constantin.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuch delicate manufacture needs\u00a0the use of\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0mechanics, assemblers and watchmakers. Here is why, for a long time, this\u00a0function\u00a0was\u00a0confined to\u00a0sports countersequipped\u00a0with\u00a0large\u00a0calibres. This explains why the first split-seconds chronograph bracelet was\u00a0only made\u00a0in 1919 by the watch manufacturing Patek Philippe.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition \u00ab Boutique Rue de la Paix \u00bb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, a few specialised brands in the\u00a0manufacture\u00a0of\u00a0chronograph\u00a0calibres\u00a0such as\u00a0Venus, L\u00e9mania or Valjoux offered this speciality\u00a0in\u00a0their catalogue during the decade of the 1940s and 1950s. Today,\u00a0still\u00a0very rare, this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of the chronograph is offered\u00a0in small quantities. It is in different brands that we are not going to list here. We will only remember that it is possible to find some in Patek Philippe, F.P Journe, A. Lange & S\u00f6hne, Breitling, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Rado, Panerai and a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMontblanc Collection Villeret 1858<\/a> ExoTourbillon \u00e0 Rattrapante.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will note for information and to conclude that, during the 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s, the brand Dubey & Schaldenbrand realeased a chronograp equipped with a simplified mechanism\u00a0making it possible\u00a0to measure\u00a0split time\u00a0over\u00a0a short\u00a0duration\u00a0thanks to the\u00a0installation\u00a0between the two second hand chronograph of a watch balance spring.\u00a0The original\u00a0instrument\u00a0named\u00a0Split-Second \u201cSpiral\u201d Chronograph\u00a0was very successful\u00a0and is still in the catalogue of the maison today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRare d-Star Rado<\/a> chronograph piece with split-seconds chronograph.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will also remember that the watch manufacturing Parmigiani Fleurier made in 2022, the Tonda PF GMT\u00a0rattrapante monopusher<\/a>\u00a0 whose Greenwich\u00a0Mean Time (GMT) function is linked to with a hand working as the one of a chronograph split-seconds hand and can be\u00a0reset to include the one indicating the time of the starting place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nParmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante\u00a0monopusher. An original and patented watchmaking exception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How split-seconds work<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom\u00a01890 to 1900\u00a0several specialised brands offered\u00a0sports counters\u00a0including this\u00a0function. Fascinating of technique and very useful, the split-seconds is a mechanism\u00a0integrated\u00a0in achronograph calibre. It contains\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0led by a column wheel activated by a specific\u00a0button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, to make it work,\u00a0you must\u00a0start a\u00a0timekeeping in order to let out the two hands placed on top of the other. To be able to read a\u00a0split time,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0need to\u00a0press\u00a0the split-seconds\u00a0button. The pressure made on the\u00a0split-seconds button\u00a0activates the column wheel that let out the\u00a0split-seconds clamp springs. Immediately, its jaws\u00a0grip\u00a0the\u00a0finely-toothed wheelwith\u00a0which the split-seconds hand is\u00a0linked\u00a0by its\u00a0axis. This action\u00a0causes it to stop while the chronograph second hand\u00a0continues\u00a0to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new pressure on the split seconds\u00a0push-button\u00a0and the hand\u00a0let out\u00a0from the\u00a0clamp springs\u2019pressure, comes back\u00a0in a split second\u00a0above the chronograph second hand whether it is moving or stopped if the user\u00a0has\u00a0stopped the main measurement by pressing the\u00a0chronograph\u00a0stop\u00a0push-button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph calibre offered by the Saxon watch manufacturing\u00a0A. Lange & S\u00f6hne<\/a>. On this piece, the springbar plier sis directly activated by the dedicated<\/strong> column wheel. We notice on the rattrapante wheel, the return spring and the\u00a0lever pivot\u00a0acting on the heart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis succession of sequences simple in appearance, needs\u00a0perfect\u00a0machining\u00a0and a\u00a0very meticulous\u00a0assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to have in mind that the split-seconds second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0passes\u00a0witout any friction in the chronograph second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0whose diameter is only a few tenths of a millimetre. On this delicate\u00a0axis\u00a0is\u00a0riveted\u00a0the split-seconds wheel on which is\u00a0assembled a spring that presses a lever freely screwed on\u00a0the rim of the wheel. The spring has\u00a0at\u00a0its other end a\u00a0ruby\u00a0roller\u00a0rolling on the\u00a0outer\u00a0of the split-seconds heart strongly\u00a0riveted\u00a0on the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the chronograph second hand that is itself\u00a0fixed\u00a0to\u00a0a wheel on which is screwed a\u00a0zero-reset heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nSplit-seconds chronograph from Patek Philippe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe split-seconds are a subtle and rare\u00a0function\u00a0in the collection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs we can see, the rarity of this function is explained by the manufacturing complexity of such mechanical system.\u00a0It is necessary to\u00a0imagine the difficulty to come through the\u00a0chrono\u00a0second hand\u00a0axis\u00a0whose diametre is a few tenths of millimetres. Then,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to assemble on the split-seconds free wheel,\u00a0the elements allowing the return of the split-seconds hand in the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the one of the chronograph. But also, finding the right spring torque so that it does not affect the measurement\u00a0of time\u00a0because of a\u00a0too significant\u00a0friction made on the heart that allows the system to\u00a0return\u00a0to zero. Finally,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to make the two jaws of the\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0work without excess so that they do not damage the wheel, but also\u00a0sufficiently\u00a0so that the wheel does not keep turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRattrapante chronograph with monopusher from Vacheron Constantin.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuch delicate manufacture needs\u00a0the use of\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0mechanics, assemblers and watchmakers. Here is why, for a long time, this\u00a0function\u00a0was\u00a0confined to\u00a0sports countersequipped\u00a0with\u00a0large\u00a0calibres. This explains why the first split-seconds chronograph bracelet was\u00a0only made\u00a0in 1919 by the watch manufacturing Patek Philippe.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition \u00ab Boutique Rue de la Paix \u00bb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThen, a few specialised brands in the\u00a0manufacture\u00a0of\u00a0chronograph\u00a0calibres\u00a0such as\u00a0Venus, L\u00e9mania or Valjoux offered this speciality\u00a0in\u00a0their catalogue during the decade of the 1940s and 1950s. Today,\u00a0still\u00a0very rare, this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of the chronograph is offered\u00a0in small quantities. It is in different brands that we are not going to list here. We will only remember that it is possible to find some in Patek Philippe, F.P Journe, A. Lange & S\u00f6hne, Breitling, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Rado, Panerai and a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMontblanc Collection Villeret 1858<\/a> ExoTourbillon \u00e0 Rattrapante.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will note for information and to conclude that, during the 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s, the brand Dubey & Schaldenbrand realeased a chronograp equipped with a simplified mechanism\u00a0making it possible\u00a0to measure\u00a0split time\u00a0over\u00a0a short\u00a0duration\u00a0thanks to the\u00a0installation\u00a0between the two second hand chronograph of a watch balance spring.\u00a0The original\u00a0instrument\u00a0named\u00a0Split-Second \u201cSpiral\u201d Chronograph\u00a0was very successful\u00a0and is still in the catalogue of the maison today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRare d-Star Rado<\/a> chronograph piece with split-seconds chronograph.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe will also remember that the watch manufacturing Parmigiani Fleurier made in 2022, the Tonda PF GMT\u00a0rattrapante monopusher<\/a>\u00a0 whose Greenwich\u00a0Mean Time (GMT) function is linked to with a hand working as the one of a chronograph split-seconds hand and can be\u00a0reset to include the one indicating the time of the starting place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nParmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante\u00a0monopusher. An original and patented watchmaking exception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This succession of sequences simple in appearance, needs\u00a0perfect\u00a0machining\u00a0and a\u00a0very meticulous\u00a0assembly. Indeed, it is necessary to have in mind that the split-seconds second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0passes\u00a0witout any friction in the chronograph second\u00a0hand\u2019s axis\u00a0whose diameter is only a few tenths of a millimetre. On this delicate\u00a0axis\u00a0is\u00a0riveted\u00a0the split-seconds wheel on which is\u00a0assembled a spring that presses a lever freely screwed on\u00a0the rim of the wheel. The spring has\u00a0at\u00a0its other end a\u00a0ruby\u00a0roller\u00a0rolling on the\u00a0outer\u00a0of the split-seconds heart strongly\u00a0riveted\u00a0on the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the chronograph second hand that is itself\u00a0fixed\u00a0to\u00a0a wheel on which is screwed a\u00a0zero-reset heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we can see, the rarity of this function is explained by the manufacturing complexity of such mechanical system.\u00a0It is necessary to\u00a0imagine the difficulty to come through the\u00a0chrono\u00a0second hand\u00a0axis\u00a0whose diametre is a few tenths of millimetres. Then,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to assemble on the split-seconds free wheel,\u00a0the elements allowing the return of the split-seconds hand in the\u00a0axis\u00a0of the one of the chronograph. But also, finding the right spring torque so that it does not affect the measurement\u00a0of time\u00a0because of a\u00a0too significant\u00a0friction made on the heart that allows the system to\u00a0return\u00a0to zero. Finally,\u00a0it is necessary to\u00a0manage to make the two jaws of the\u00a0clamp springs\u00a0work without excess so that they do not damage the wheel, but also\u00a0sufficiently\u00a0so that the wheel does not keep turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such delicate manufacture needs\u00a0the use of\u00a0highly skilled\u00a0mechanics, assemblers and watchmakers. Here is why, for a long time, this\u00a0function\u00a0was\u00a0confined to\u00a0sports countersequipped\u00a0with\u00a0large\u00a0calibres. This explains why the first split-seconds chronograph bracelet was\u00a0only made\u00a0in 1919 by the watch manufacturing Patek Philippe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, a few specialised brands in the\u00a0manufacture\u00a0of\u00a0chronograph\u00a0calibres\u00a0such as\u00a0Venus, L\u00e9mania or Valjoux offered this speciality\u00a0in\u00a0their catalogue during the decade of the 1940s and 1950s. Today,\u00a0still\u00a0very rare, this extra\u00a0function\u00a0to the one of the chronograph is offered\u00a0in small quantities. It is in different brands that we are not going to list here. We will only remember that it is possible to find some in Patek Philippe, F.P Journe, A. Lange & S\u00f6hne, Breitling, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Rado, Panerai and a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will note for information and to conclude that, during the 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s, the brand Dubey & Schaldenbrand realeased a chronograp equipped with a simplified mechanism\u00a0making it possible\u00a0to measure\u00a0split time\u00a0over\u00a0a short\u00a0duration\u00a0thanks to the\u00a0installation\u00a0between the two second hand chronograph of a watch balance spring.\u00a0The original\u00a0instrument\u00a0named\u00a0Split-Second \u201cSpiral\u201d Chronograph\u00a0was very successful\u00a0and is still in the catalogue of the maison today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will also remember that the watch manufacturing Parmigiani Fleurier made in 2022, the Tonda PF GMT\u00a0rattrapante monopusher<\/a>\u00a0 whose Greenwich\u00a0Mean Time (GMT) function is linked to with a hand working as the one of a chronograph split-seconds hand and can be\u00a0reset to include the one indicating the time of the starting place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read also:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe split-seconds are a subtle and rare\u00a0function\u00a0in the collection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n