Very fine and rare 18K gold Swiss split seconds chronograph with jumping 1/5
seconds and return to zero function by Grandjean, Locle, circa 1880.
Heavy engine turned case (small dent) with both gold and glazed dust
covers and buttons in the coin milled band to operate the chronograph.
Double sunk white enamel dial with blued steel hands.
High grade tandem wind two train nickel 33 jewel movement. Excellent example.
This watch can time two separate events. When one button is depressed the
chronograph starts. When the other button is depressed the chronograph
hand "splits" and one of the hands stops. The other hand continues until the
first button is pushed. A final push returns the hand to zero. This watch is
actuate to 1/4 of a second, and when the chronograph is running the subsidiary hand
jumps very quickly making one revolution per second. This makes it easier to tell
the time to the correct fraction of a second.
This watch represents the final and highest development of the chronograph mechanism.