Eberhard Extra-Fort Rattrapante 18k Yellow Gold - Box

We are proud to offer you this Eberhard Extra Fort Split-Seconds Chrono in an 18k gold case from the 1950s.

Split-seconds chronographs, also known as rattrapante or double chronographs, are remarkable timepieces that were developed in the late 1930s by the renowned Swiss manufacturer Eberhard as tool watches for racing drivers.

The early examples, which today are among the "holy grails" of vintage watches, are referred to by collectors as "pre Extra Fort". At the end of the 1940s, the "Extra Fort" model was introduced, which had a modified case. Most of the watches in the Extra Fort line were "normal" chronographs. A split-seconds chronograph as an "Extra-Fort" and then in a yellow gold case is extremely rare.

A split-seconds chronograph has an additional hand that can be stopped independently to measure intermediate times while the main chronograph hand continues to run. This allows for the measurement of multiple events that start together but may have different durations - such as lap times in a motorsport race. The chronograph can be operated via the large fluted crown with integrated pusher - the trademark of split-seconds chronographs.

However, it was not only the technical sophistication of the Eberhard Rattrapante that impressed the motorsport community, but also its size, which made it easy to read. This timepiece has a diameter of 39 mm. Wristwatches of this size from the 1940s are super rare.

Here we offer you a stunning example in a rare large 18k gold case. The elegant silver-colored three-register dial has a blue tachymeter scale. The sub-dials house the running seconds, the 30-minute counter and the 12-hour totalizer.

This watch is also accompanied by an old, original Eberhard box.

Condition report
Dial: absolutely perfect, clean dial - sunken sub-registers with fine, concentric grooves - gold hands and markers in perfect condition - blue tachymeter scale is immaculate - signed "swiss made" at 6 o'clock.

Case: 18 carat yellow gold case with concave lugs - slight signs of wear - intact gold hallmarks on the case and inside the case back - serial number inside the back - original fluted crown with an integrated pusher for the rattrapante function.

Movement: manual-wound caliber Eberhard 16000 - all functions operate perfectly - values on the timegrapher: rate +46s/day, beat error: 0.5 ms, amplitude: 326 degrees.

Summing-Up
While the "Pre-Extra-Fort Split" is considered the holy grail of vintage Eberhard watches, this Extra Fort Split Chronograph offers unbeatable value for money due to its rarity and excellent condition.

Serial number: 1022xxx (1948)

Int.Exe.: 9349724