Double chronograph
Encyclopedia
Double chronograph is a watch
that includes two separate stopwatch
mechanisms in order to estimate two separate events of different durations. It is often confused with the flyback chronograph
.
has two seconds hands. One hand is superimposed over the other. While one hand moves continuously, the other one can be either stopped, started or reset to zero.
The first push releases both hands. While one continues registering the time, the other hand can be repeatedly stopped. In order to stop and bring both hands to zero a watch has a return pusher. The position of the pusher, controlling the split-seconds function is usually at either 10 or 8 o'clock.
In 1922 Patek Philippe launched into the market its first double chronograph. Today double chronographs (or rattrapante chronographs) can be divided into two subgroups. One comprises chronographs based on in-house movements of different watchmaking companies and the other group contains timepieces based on movements like the Valjoux
7750 from ETA.
The group of the in-house movements began with the Venus series of calibers: 179, 185, 189 and 190. These calibers had a rattrapante pusher on the crown but since 1952 they are no longer in production.
The first split-seconds mechanism based on the ETA-Valjoux 7750 was presented in 1992 at BaselWorld
. Today this caliber is the main one used in watches with a split-seconds mechanism.
In 2010, Gallet
introduced the first self-winding double chronograph movement powered by two separate mainsprings. The Swiss company's in-house manufactured calibre G330 solved the decade's old issue of decreased accuracy while utilizing the dual recording feature, a characteristic problem with double chronographs. Besides the longer duration (72 hours) between winds, this increase in available power enabled the G330 to maintain certified chronometer level accuracy across the full range of functions.
Watch
A watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
that includes two separate stopwatch
Stopwatch
A stopwatch is a handheld timepiece designed to measure the amount of time elapsed from a particular time when activated to when the piece is deactivated. A large digital version of a stopwatch designed for viewing at a distance, as in a sports stadium, is called a stopclock.The timing functions...
mechanisms in order to estimate two separate events of different durations. It is often confused with the flyback chronograph
Flyback chronograph
A flyback chronograph is a complication watch, which uses a single push of the button for stopping, resetting and restarting the chronograph function of the watch.-Other names:The flyback function has also some other names:* Retour-en-vol * Taylor system...
.
Other names
- Rattrapante chronograph
- Split-second chronograph
- Split chronograph
Functioning
A watch with a double chronographChronograph
A chronograph is a timepiece or watch with both timekeeping and stopwatch functions as well as other functions. Pocket watch chronographs were produced as early as the 18th century but did not become popular until the 1820s...
has two seconds hands. One hand is superimposed over the other. While one hand moves continuously, the other one can be either stopped, started or reset to zero.
The first push releases both hands. While one continues registering the time, the other hand can be repeatedly stopped. In order to stop and bring both hands to zero a watch has a return pusher. The position of the pusher, controlling the split-seconds function is usually at either 10 or 8 o'clock.
Brief history
The double chronograph was previously called Fly-back second. It was invented in 19th century by Adolphe Nicole. During the 1930s, due to a smaller size the mechanism was able to fit the case of a wristwatch.In 1922 Patek Philippe launched into the market its first double chronograph. Today double chronographs (or rattrapante chronographs) can be divided into two subgroups. One comprises chronographs based on in-house movements of different watchmaking companies and the other group contains timepieces based on movements like the Valjoux
Valjoux
Valjoux is a Swiss manufacturer of mechanical watch movements. It is known primarily for chronograph ébauche movements that are used in a number of mid- to high-range mechanical watches: The company has been a part of ETA for a number of years and is a member of the Swatch Group...
7750 from ETA.
The group of the in-house movements began with the Venus series of calibers: 179, 185, 189 and 190. These calibers had a rattrapante pusher on the crown but since 1952 they are no longer in production.
The first split-seconds mechanism based on the ETA-Valjoux 7750 was presented in 1992 at BaselWorld
BaselWorld
Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show is a trade show for the watch and jewellery industry organized annually in the city of Basel, Switzerland. The international show unites about 2,100 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including the leading watch and jewelry brands, as well as companies...
. Today this caliber is the main one used in watches with a split-seconds mechanism.
In 2010, Gallet
Gallet & Co.
Gallet is a historical Swiss manufacturer of high-end timepieces for professional use.Gallet is the world’s oldest watch and clock making house with history dating back to Humbertus Gallet, a clock maker who became a citizen of Geneva in 1466...
introduced the first self-winding double chronograph movement powered by two separate mainsprings. The Swiss company's in-house manufactured calibre G330 solved the decade's old issue of decreased accuracy while utilizing the dual recording feature, a characteristic problem with double chronographs. Besides the longer duration (72 hours) between winds, this increase in available power enabled the G330 to maintain certified chronometer level accuracy across the full range of functions.