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semperfi55

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Index Mobile Rattrapante

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semperfi55

As I expand my watch collection, I have managed to collect watches across a spectrum of categories.

Dress watches. Calendar watches. Diver watches. Soviet watches. Pilot watches. Racing watches. 

One category remained conspicuously empty.

 

 

The vintage chronograph.

It's a no-brainer. As a millennial hipster-ish yuppie,  i should be buying them up! The history, heritage and aesthetic of the vintage chronograph appeals to me. But of course, as a millennial hipster-ish yuppie, I can't justify collecting multiple old chronos. The major Swiss brand chronos go above GBP1,000. Under that price, you can find loads of beautiful chronographs  from less well known/defunct Swiss brands. Even then, you still have to consider the potential servicing costs.  As such, I decided to stick to reps and cheap Soviet vintages. For now. 

A vintage chronograph is something I want to work towards to, doing the research, taking my time etc.

I barely even thought about split seconds chronographs!

 

Split Seconds Chronograph

I learnt of these beauties was when I was jerking off browsing the Lange website. I came across (phrasing!) one of their rattrapante watches. The fact that watchmakers could create a mechanical double chrono was mind-blowing!

A-Lange-Sohne-1815-Rattrapante-Perpetual

That got me excited. This could be a grail watch!         

Let's have a look at the price.             

6 digits.                 

Ok let's close the browser now.

 

Hodinkee has a great article on the history of split second chronographs: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/a-detailed-survey-of-the-split-seconds-chronograph-and-its-cousins

First, definitions. Rattrapante is a funny word. It sound more like rodents scurrying around in your underwear rather than a very expensive movement. It is derived from the French word "rattraper" which means "to catch up". The split-seconds mechanism allows you to track intermediate events. Activating the chronograph starts both sweep hands in tandem. When the first event happens, you push a button to stop one hand, while the other continues moving. You record the time, push the button again to make the stopped hand "catch up" to the running hand, and repeat as necessary. The seconds hands are superimposed, and then appear to split when you stop one – hence the name. 

But what sort of intermediate events are we talking about?  Say you're timing a horse race, you can use the chrono to time the overall race, but you can use the split second function to record the time for a lap, while the other hand continues to record the time of the overall race.

Or maybe you're stuck in a foxhole in 1944 and see two artillery muzzle flashes. So you start your rattrapante and use it to record the time taken for both projectiles to hit your hole, that way you can figure out how far apart were those artillery positions that killed you. 

The possibilities are endless!

The first split-second chrono was produced in 1923 by Patek.

patek_split_live.jpg?ixlib=rails-1.1.0&a

These watches, new or old, belong in their own price bracket! The very complicated movements drive up the price, rendering it inaccessible for most people. But of course the free market will find a way to drive down prices :) 

 

The Watch

Enter Dubey & Schaldenbrand.

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A brief excerpt on the origin of the brand and the watch, copied from here: http://www.oocities.org/thomasm178/watch/wadsimanalysisver2.html

The origin of the Index Mobile rattrapante system goes back to 1946. In that year, Rene Schaldenbrand, Head of Production, Complicated Watches, had developed an economical flyback seconds chronograph design. Together with Georges Dubey, who at the time was also a professor of complicated horology at Technicum in La Chaux de Fonds, Schaldenbrand formed the Dubey and Schaldenbrand Company to produce and market the design, which they called the Index Mobile.

Patents were subequently applied for, and in 1948 Swiss and French patent rights were granted; US patent rights followed in 1951.

A partial description of the design from the US patent filing follows:

"...chronographs with two co-axial long seconds-hands, one of which is a fly-back hand. An important feature of the invention resides in that the movable elements of the two seconds-hands are connected with each other by means of a spiral spring and that one of the said hands carries a stop adapted to engage the other seconds-hands."

The original prototypes and early working models were based on the Valjoux 77 base chronograph caliber.

Subsequent models used either Venus or Landeron 248 movements as the base movement. Rene Schaldenbrand managed to mod the base movements to possess a split-second function. Parts were added to the movement and some are visible on the dial.

A better explanation can be found here: https://horologium.com.au/2013/10/07/dubey-schaldenbrand-the-index-mobile-split-second-chronograph/

They did this by putting some of the inside, outside – an extra shaft holding the ‘split’ second-hand placed through the centre of the watch, and kept in place directly underneath the chronograph’s primary seconds-hand by a hairspring which connects the two hands and is fully visible to the eye.

So, how does it work? When the chronograph function is activated, both the seconds hands move simultaneously. During this, split-second function is activated when the button in the middle of the crown is depressed. By pressing it, the user stops the split-second (index) hand, which applies a brake to the wheel turning the hand. When the button is released, this second hand, which has stopped, will ‘catch up’ with the other seconds hand which has continued running throughout the period being timed. The hand that stops while the other continues to run can be held to time a secondary event for up to 58 seconds, returning instantly to meet the other hand as the button is released.

D&S produced these watches in the 1950s-1960s. They also made these watches for a few other brands too with a similar dial design. In the 1990s, the revived brand re-issued limited edition versions from their Landeron NOS. But since then, they have not made any new Index-Mobiles. But they do have a Heritage line with heavy Art Deco inspirations.

More info on the 1990s NOS Reissue: http://ninanet.net/watches/others04/Mediums/mDSim.html

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d72ce5c8d75bcb7545fa225cc06dc092--tier-d

Before I go any further, I have to admit I learnt about this watch from watching The Urban Gentry on Youtube. It was one of those moments when I was watching TGV "ironically" and he blindsided me with this elegant watch on his wristwatch check. He made a video review of the watch. By the end of it, I knew I had to find the watch. Somehow. The model represents an interesting turn in the development of split-second chronos. At the same time, I was trying to find the watch to buy with my first (proper) paycheck. This fit the bill perfectly!

After monitoring listings on chrono24 and eBay, I gathered that there were a few of them out there, so no hurry. The average pricing was about USD2,000-3,000.

Following negotiations, I was able to knock nearly 500 Euros from the price. Bargain! :irish_dance:

The days after that were torture. I stalked the parcel from Austria to the UK. 

After 12 painful days, this arrived:

Forgive me for my excitement as I shamelessly tag in some of the worse influences on my habit. This is where I have ended up 5 months in, what have you done!?

@Glaude @McGilli @Luxuracer @Logixa @RussP @GingerBlubba

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guitar:

 

Dimensions

After multiple measurements.

Case Diameter: 37mm

Case Height: 13.5mm

Lug-to-Lug: 45mm

Lug Width: 18mm

 

At 37mm diameter, this small watch sits perfectly on my tiny wrist! Even better!

 

Dial

The dial colour is very dependent on lighting. In bright light, it looks like a vintage off-white colour; in darker rooms, it has a champagne dial look. The overall vintage look is just too good. It is a busy dial but not overwhelming. Any more numbers and it would be too much, any less and it would look like something is missing.

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Lap up that beautiful font! The blue and red lines go well together!

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Up close you can see how the printing is not as precise as modern pieces. If this were a rep, I would be shitting all over the review,  but here it just adds to the charm of this vintage piece.

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The 3 o'clock subdial is a minute counter, love the snail trails! I am also a fan of the Art Deco-ish font used for the hour indices.

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There is a slight chip on the "Swiss Made" print. The numbers all around the dial are just mesmerising...

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The 9 o'clock subdial is the actual seconds. Standard.

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The domed glass causes a distortion effect on the hands. Here you can have a good view of the split-second hands:  one superimposed by the other. From above, it looks like there is only one second hand.

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Nice close-up of the dial-side spring that allows for the catch-up of the second hand. Very unusual aesthetic, this outside spring embodies the quirky nature of this watch.

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Movement

As most of the Index Mobiles produced used a base Landeron 248 movement, I'm assuming that is the case for this one. Let's have a look shall we?

I'm stumped by this snap-on caseback. If this were any other watch, I would have gone straight to snapping it open. Knowing my luck I might fuck this one up and damage the case, so...

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... you guys will just have to settle for a photo lifted from one of the above articles. The reissue edition has display casebacks.

mDSimb11.jpg

 

Case

As the poor man's rattrapante, it would not do to have a solid gold case. To keep with that vibe, this is  yellow gold plating on stainless steel.  Will need to keep a careful eye on the case!

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The chrono pushers are slightly different. Pressing the 2 o'clock pusher starts the chrono, pressing the 4 o'clock pusher stops it. Pushing it again resets the chrono. The split second function is done by pressing on the additional pusher on the crown.

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The curves on this watch :drool:

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Lug porn

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Strap & Buckle

The strap is definitely not the original strap. Not sure about the buckle though.

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Can't complain about the strap though, it is comfortable and supple! Its rich brown/maroon colour complements the yellow gold well.

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Worried that this might be from Aliexpress, I gave it a quick google. A lot of German came up, it might be an Austrian company.

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The buckle doing its job.

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Functions

The split second function has its limitations. It can only record the interval for 58 seconds. Here's a video of me fumbling with the split second function.

Untitled

 

Accuracy

Look at that dial! Who the fuck gives a flying fuck about fucking accuracy??!!?? No need to be accurate when you're lit af.

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Overall

It was never realistic to put a rattrapante as a grail watch. Thankfully, this poor man's rattrapante exists! :D

This watch is a great addition to my collection. It is the watch bought with my first paycheck. It features as an interesting side note in horological history. It is beautiful.

Where do I go from here? This watch has made crave for more vintage style chronos. What will be next?

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Cheeky wristie ;) 

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Watch this space!

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GingerApple

Awesome!!!!

Great pick up mate. Far from chastising us for getting you addicted, got should be thanking us for enticing you!

The only drawback for my personal taste is the goldy case - though that's just my own pet hate - but everything else is lovely! I'd fancy one in SS myself.

Enjoy!

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Logixa

Semper you fucker. That is a goddamn, wanking spanking, good looking, honey licking son a bitch watch! 

You can only do it's justice by sending it to me. And your reps.. 

 

Have fun with your new watch, wear it in good health. And when your health gets low, send it to me :Kiss:

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RussP

Glad that I was in some little way responsible for your vintage itch.

Lovely watch.

Fabulous pictures and review.

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Glaude

Freaking nice review and awesome watch !

Enjoy it while you have it, I'll be on my way to steal it when you go on holidays... :D

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NCRich

Beauty of a watch, great writeup.

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Luxuracer

Awesome review ... like always, @semperfi55  :clap:

Vintage watches had not grown in me ... but I love hand-winding movements, especially chrono. And here, a hand-winding split second chrono, what not to love.

That open caseback in incredible attractive.

tenor.gif

 

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Moondustesp

Great write up and the watch is an absolute beauty! Enjoy it :clap:

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blueoysterboy

Oh man, that is an awesome timepiece.  :Applause:

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FoxWilde

God that's a sexy piece. A great value! 

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McGilli
12 hours ago, semperfi55 said:

"rattraper"

I haven't even read the review!!!!

I just got in from vacation (again) and I see RATT RAPER near the top of this review, and i'm like OMG I need to scroll down adn see if anyone else has called this out yet?!?!?

RATT RAPER - c'mon that can't be real?!?!?!?

@Thommo82 ? I think Australia is where all the French Ratt Rapers get sent?!?

 

@semperfi55 That's pretty nifty. I have to confess Iove gimmicks. I always buy things that are... different - whether for good or bad. In this case, I think that entire genre of chrono is pretty fantastic, especially when nowadays it's all digital.

What do you think the dial face is made of? I was looking at the poor quality printing on it, and was wondering if that was how it was off the press, or do you think that's from over time? Regardless, I agree it just adds to the watch.

The other thing is I noticed was the hour numerals. In some photos they are silver/white, and some they are darker grey etc. Now - I have my nighttime 'orange tint' on my monitors right now, so I can't really tell the exact colours, but still for a bit I was going back and forth between photos thinking I was seeing things.

So - is there lume on the watch at all?

As someone who recently spent that much on a chrono watch I have to admit I've been having fun wearing a watch in that price range, and with the chrono. All your examples were dead on, although I'll add what I used mine for this past week: Timing the go-karts at the Adventure Park  to make sure I got the same amount of time on the track as the other groups... I did. That worth having the watch :)

Good stuff. I'll say that out of all people here - who have posted a fair amount of watch reviews since I've been on the board - yours is the collection I'd be most happy to inherit. $ amount doesn't matter. Your taste in watches is worth a lot I think.

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Foxindebox

Very,  very nice watch mate! Great review, I really enjoyed reading that.

I was hankering after a flyback too and went down the Seiko route instead.

I love the case design of yours though, beautiful. :clap:

Oh, here is mine btw

0_D400564-_F8_AC-4_E79-9_CA6-66_D375_D9_

 

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semperfi55
20 hours ago, GingerBlubba said:

I'd fancy one in SS myself.

I get what you mean, the gold is a tad decadent, whereas stainless steel won't have plating issues. 

20 hours ago, GingerBlubba said:

Far from chastising us for getting you addicted, got should be thanking us for enticing you!

Sounds like victim blaming. Triggered! :fear:

20 hours ago, Logixa said:

You can only do it's justice by sending it to me. And your reps.. 

Take a number!:rofl:

20 hours ago, RussP said:

little way responsible

Ass! "Little way"?! You post too much good stuff on the wrist watch check! :p 

20 hours ago, Glaude said:

when you go on holidays

More like "If" mate, no holidays after buying this one :cry:

 

16 hours ago, NCRich said:

Beauty of a watch, great writeup.

Thanks Rich! :) 

 

 

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greg_r

Absolutely superb. :clap:

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GenTLe

Amazing watch, and also thanks for the explanation! A question: is there a stop that avoid the second hand to do like a pendulum when the rattrapante pusher is released?

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semperfi55
16 hours ago, Luxuracer said:

Vintage watches had not grown in me

That's good to hear, otherwise it would be a medical emergency! 

 

How's it going buddy? Haven't seen you around recently. Or rather, I haven't been around much so no idea who's around/not.

@Moondustesp @0ysterboy @FoxWilde Cheers guys! This watch is too much watch at times!  

9 hours ago, McGilli said:

where all the French Ratt Rapers get sent?!?

Mate I think even the Aussies push the boats back out into sea...

I'm not too sure what the dial is made of. As good as my tinkering skills are, I'm not taking the risk of uncasing this baby. For now.

The dial colours are very dynamic. It's more of  off-white/light beige colour.

Under natural light, this is the colour of the dial and numbers.

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And no, no lume on this. But i will be able to time the two coyotes charging towards me ;) The yellow gold (under a full moon) will provide the necessary illumination.

10 hours ago, McGilli said:

Good stuff. I'll say that out of all people here - who have posted a fair amount of watch reviews since I've been on the board - yours is the collection I'd be most happy to inherit. $ amount doesn't matter. Your taste in watches is worth a lot I think.

Thanks man, that's very high praise :giggle:

 

9 hours ago, Foxindebox said:

Very,  very nice watch mate! Great review, I really enjoyed reading that.

I was hankering after a flyback too and went down the Seiko route instead.

I love the case design of yours though, beautiful. :clap:

Oh, here is mine btw

0_D400564-_F8_AC-4_E79-9_CA6-66_D375_D9_

 

That's very neat! What are the two superimposed hands for? I'm seeing 3 sets of numbers there?

The two superimposed hands look like the Seiko could measure temperature lol!

I'm not familiar with vintage Seikos, any idea when this was made?

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Foxindebox

@semperfi55

its a late 60s / early 70s model I think. The two small hands measure minutes and hours, it’s a 12 hr chronograph with flyback.

The nickname is Seiko “Monaco” (because of the resemblance to the Heuer).

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semperfi55
2 hours ago, greg_r said:

Absolutely superb. :clap:

Cheers Greg! :lol:

1 hour ago, GenTLe said:

Amazing watch, and also thanks for the explanation! A question: is there a stop that avoid the second hand to do like a pendulum when the rattrapante pusher is released?

Indeed there is, my video might show it but it was very visible in TGV's video on youtube. The chrono hand definitely pauses for a tiny bit as the other hand catches up to it. Technically speaking, that would contribute to inaccurate timing I suppose. Could be a dealbreaker for some but not for me :) 

@Foxindebox I just realised your Seiko has a day and date complication too! Wow, trying to imagine Seiko achieving all that back then, pre quartz . Brilliant!

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