Atelier de Chronométrie AdC#8 Rattrapante (Split-Seconds Chronograph)

Barcelona based high-end watch specialist Atelier de Chronométrie unveils its latest creation AdC#8, a Split-second chronograph (Rattrapante in German). This one-of-a-kind watch has been entirely handcrafted, exclusively using age old watchmaking techniques and hand-operated machines and tools.

This Split-second chronograph with 12-hour counter is based on a vintage Venus 185 movement and it is presented in a new case design made of 18k Grey gold with teardrop lugs. The Pulsations black galvanic “gilt” dial with silvered lettering and scales, and applied Breguet numerals, completes the overall look of this chronograph.

The AdC8 project started with the idea of a collector of independents from California who requested Atelier de Chronométrie to create a rattrapante chronograph with the AdC style. To create a suitable engine for this unique timepiece, the atelier has opted for Venus 185, a historical hand-wound column-wheel chronograph movement equipped with the rattrapante (split-seconds) function.

From a total of 280 calibre parts, 50 new parts have been created completely by hand without using CNC milling machines. The rest of the 230 parts have been modified and decorated by hand too.

The finishes include handmade grainage as well as black polish, anglage, perlage, polished countersinks, straight graining, etirage des flancs, etc. The calibre aesthetics combines a balanced mixture made of the combination of the pink gold plated bridges with the rhodium plated wheels and the steel accents of the levers and black polished parts as well the purple black polished beveled screws. At the center, a new rattrapante wheel made of Titanium with the shape of the Atelier de Chronométrie symbol brings finesse and delicacy.

Designing of its 39.8 mm diameter, three-body case was also extremely challenging task. It required almost 9 months of creation process for manufacturing a suitable case, which is as ergonomic as desired by the customer.

Due to the height of the rattrapante calibre, the main goals for the creation of this case were to create a visual effect that make it “thinner” and secondly to make it comfortable on the wrist. For those reasons, the center part of this three-body case has a curved shape and is combined with a concave bezel and case back.

Inspired by the vintage chronographs, the teardrop lugs give more personality to the whole watch design. The design of the crown with the rattrapante pusher and the two pushers has been executed in order to not protrude excessively from the case profile to maintain harmony. Atelier de Chronométrie has handcrafted the final case in 18k Grey gold. This 18k Grey gold alloy is a high Palladium alloy, which is why it doesn’t need to be rhodied.

All the Atelier de Chronométrie designs are inspired in the aesthetics from 40’s and as is the AdC8. For the dial, the Atelier has created a vintage styled medical dial with a pulsometric scale. The black galvanic “gilt” with mirror polished silvered lettering and scales was made by a technique very common in the past but nowadays is really rare and highly laborious to be properly executed.

The applied Breguet numerals and three engine-turned counters (30-minute counter, 12-hour counter and seconds counter) combine perfectly with the 7 leaf hands made in 18k Grey gold.

The price of an AdC Split seconds chronograph starts at 85 000 Euros. As every AdC is a unique timepiece, the final price of each project is fixed according to the customer’s requirements.

Technical details

Movement
Manual winding movement based on a Venus 185
23 jewels
Power reserve: 36 hours
Frequency: 18.000 b.p.h.
3 bridges made in Arcap with grainage finish, 18k pink gold plated, polished countersinks, anglage, etirages des flancs and purple black polished beveled screws.
Free sprung balance regulated by 6 masselottes made in 18k rose gold with a black polished stud holder plate.
Anchor bridge made of steel, black polished, polished countesinks and anglage.
Purple black polished beveled screws.
Rattrapante bridge made of steel with 18k pink goldchatonwith black polished countersinks, anglage and beveled screws.
Rattrapante wheel made of Titanium with the AdC symbol shape.
Hand-engraved number 8 satined finish.
All the levers have been decorated with anglage, polished countersinks and straight graining.
The wheels have been rohdium plated and decorated with anglage and circularsatin finished.
Finishes included: grainage as well as black polish, anglage, perlage, polished countersinks, straight graining, etirage des flancs, etc

Dial
Pulsometric black galvanic “gilt” dial with mirror polished silvered lettering and scales and applied Breguet numerals and 3 engine turned sub-seconds
Hands: Handmade 18k Grey gold leaf 7 hands

Case
39. 8 mm three-body case in18k Grey gold with concave bezel and case back and teardrop lugs with high polish finishes.
Handmade 18k Grey gold rattrapante crown and 2 pushers.
Dimensions: 39’8mm diameter, 20mm lugs and 15mm height.
Sapphire glass front and back

Strap
Handmade leather strap
Handmade 18k Grey gold bracelet
Handmade 18k Grey gold buckle