Antiquorum Auctioneers since 1974

Hong Kong, May 29, 2022

LOT 271

Bovet Frères & Co. S.A.
Chronograph, patented “single” split-seconds with one hand, minute counter, silver dial, calibre Valjoux 84; “Mono-rattrapante”, so-called “big logo” and “Spillmann case”; stainless steel

HKD 64,000 - 95,000

EUR 7,700 - 11,500 / CHF 8,000 - 12,000 / USD 8,100 - 12,100

Stainless steel, manual-winding, “tonneau”-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, silver colour dial with suspended luminescent Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds at 9 and three horological complications:
· 1/5 second chronograph (activated by the single round-shaped push-piece located on the case-band at 2 o’clock)
· “Mono-rattrapante”, a kind of patented “single” split-seconds acting on the unique chronograph-hand (activated by the round-shaped push-piece located on the case-band at 4 o’clock)
· Half-instantaneous 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock)

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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Bovet, Fleurier (Val-de-Travers)

Model “Mono-Rattrapante”

Year circa 1940-1950

Movement No. unnumbered

Case No. 3 421 (by C.R. Spillmann S.A, Chêne-Bourg, Geneva)

Material stainless steel

Bracelet khaki-coloured camouflage Nato-type strap

Buckle stainless steel buckle

Caliber 14’’’, with patented device (based on Valjoux 84 ebauche by Raymond Frères, Les Bioux, Vallée de Joux)

Diameter 36.3 mm. (bezel)

Signature dial

Accessories copy of the invention patent

Notes

Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 185 465, delivered on July 31, 1936 (application filed on July 30, 1935), to Charles Jeanneret-Bovet, Fleurier (Val-de-Travers), for a “Chronographe” (Chronograph).

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Bovet, “Mono-Rattrapante”, patented “single” split-seconds with one hand

It was in 1935 that Bovet Frères & Co. created and patented a “mono-rattrapante” chronograph system that acted similarly to a split-seconds mechanism. This chronograph movement with a single hand is elaborated by Bovet on the Valjoux 14’’’ calibre 84.

This particular wristwatch features the three normal functions of any single-button chronograph, activated through the push-piece at 2, enabling the chronograph hand to: “start” / “stop” / “return to zero”.

In addition, there are two further functions activated through the push-piece at 4:
1) By depressing the push-piece, the single chronograph hand stops.
2) By releasing the push-piece, within a maximum time of 60 seconds, the hand jumps forward, catching-up the seconds elapsed in the meantime.

Two versions of this wristwatch exist:
· The first, features a round, flat push-piece at 2 and an olive-shaped push-piece at 4.
· The second version has either a square or a round water-resistant push-piece at 2 and at 4.

Bibliography
· Lang, Gerd-R., & Meis, Reinhard, Chronograph Wristwatches, To Stop time, Atglen, PA, 1993, Editions Schiffer Publishing Ltd., pp. 21, 50-51, 180-181 (ill. 337-338) and 238.