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The Encyclopedia of Horology

France / England / Switzerland · Split-seconds mechanisms documented from the mid-19th century, with Nicole's 1862 patent frequently cited; refined by numerous makers through the following decades

Rattrapante (Split-Seconds) Chronograph Clutch

Needs research

The rattrapante remains one of the most technically demanding chronograph complications and a benchmark of fine chronograph manufacture, prized for enabling lap or comparative interval timing.

A rattrapante adds a second chronograph seconds hand that normally runs stacked with the first, but can be stopped independently by an additional pusher (via a split clamp, typically a heart-shaped cam or clamp jaw) to record an intermediate time, then released to instantaneously catch back up ('rattraper') with the still-running primary hand.

Because several makers contributed competing mechanisms in this period, and the mainstream literature available to this project does not converge on one uncontested founding patent, claims naming a single inventor should be treated with caution pending direct archival confirmation.

Background

The rattrapante, or split-seconds chronograph (formerly called the 'nachspringende Sekunde' in German), has a second seconds hand that runs in step with the main chronograph hand. The mechanism addresses the need to record intermediate times without halting the primary timekeeping movement. Adolphe Nicole is often credited with the split-seconds mechanism, but Louis-Frédéric Perrelet designed a watch with two seconds hands, one of which could be stopped at will, in 1827. A pusher stops the second hand independently, and a further press makes it jump back to rejoin the running hand.

Written from the encyclopedia entries listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited text. Passages from sources in other languages are given in English translation.

How it works

  • The mechanism generally utilizes two column wheels, one to control the chronograph and another to manipulate the clamp that brakes the rattrapante hand.
  • Historically, these mechanisms were often built with visible split-second clamps positioned over the movement.

Later history

  • Patek Philippe introduced its first rattrapante wristwatch in 1922.
  • The adaptation of the rattrapante into automatic wristwatch movements was achieved in 1992 with the introduction of a system based on the ETA-Valjoux 7750 caliber.

How to verify this yourself

Nicole's 1862 English patent and comparable French filings should be checked directly in The National Archives (Kew) patent index and the INPI historical archive respectively before citing a specific number; this project has not independently verified a single founding patent number.

Manufacturers known to have used it

  • Patek Philippe
  • many haute horlogerie chronograph manufacturers

Photographs

In-Depth: F.P. Journe lineSport Chronographe Rattrapante | SJX Watches
In-Depth: F.P. Journe lineSport Chronographe Rattrapante | SJX Watches — watchesbysjx.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watchesbysjx.com)

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Schleppzeiger, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-10-28 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. Chronographe, Wikipedia (French), retrieved 2026-10-28 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  3. Cutmore, M., Watches 1850–1980
  4. The National Archives, Kew — patent index (existence of period split-seconds filings noted, not individually verified here)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.