Bovet Mono-Rattrapante Tropical - Spillman Case

This 1940s Bovet Mono-Rattrapante Chronograph features an absolutely spectacular tropical dial housed in a 38mm Spillman case.

Bovet has a rich, centuries-old history that began in 1822, when Edouard Bovet and his brothers founded the company in London and moved their production center to the Swiss community of Fleurier that same year.

In 1936, Bovet developed and patented a "mono rattrapante" mechanism. The Valjoux 84 caliber, made exclusively for Bovet, was used as the basis. Similar to a split seconds chronograph, a mono rattrapante chronograph allows multiple split times to be read without stopping the chronograph. To read a time, you hold down the lower pusher, which stops the second hand and allows you to read the elapsed time. When you then release the pusher, the second hand immediately jumps to the position it would have been in if you hadn't stopped it, and continues to run so you can stop it again. In the 1940s, the Mono-Rattrapante complication was a Bovet specialty. Today, Bovet's large-diameter Mono-Rattrapante chronographs from the 40s and 50s are especially sought after.

The tropical dial of this particular wristwatch makes it absolutely unique. Over the years, the black dial has aged to an (almost magical) brown color, adding even more charisma to this already beautiful watch.

Another valuable feature of this chronograph is its large 38mm Spillman case, recognizable by its chamfered, downward-facing lugs.

Condition report
Dial: absolutely unique tropical brown patina - evenly aged - original radium lume - signed "Mono-Rattrapante Bovet", "Anti Magnetique" and "Swiss Made".

Case: Spillman case with sharp lugs - light wear marks - deeply engraved serial number on the back - original pushers, original crown.

Movement: manual-wind caliber Valjoux 84 (made exclusively for Bovet) - rate deviation: +39s/day, amplitude: 268, beat error: 0.4.

Summing-Up
The rare rattrapante complication and the large 1940s Spillman case alone make this Bovet special and desirable. The tropical dial makes the watch absolutely unique and will amaze any vintage lover.

Serial number: 33xx (1940s)

Int.Exe.: 95215