Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Beyer Split Seconds Moon Phase Chronograph in 18kt Yellow Gold, 1982
- Maker / attribution
- Beyer (maker)
- Date
- 1982
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2302
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2302)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Beyer Split Seconds Moon Phase Chronograph in 18kt Yellow Gold (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2302), this is a wristwatch by Beyer, dated 1982. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
We believe that this watch is very special and a great opportunity to acquire a stunning and rare split seconds or rattrapante astronomical watch. We know that these watches were made in very small numbers as a personal order for Theodor Beyer to be gifted to friends and never sold publicly. Owning a split seconds chronograph is a special moment for a collector so we know you guys will love this ! The watch is made in yellow gold, with a champagne dial that remains in excellent condition. The yellow gold case features a stepped bezel, a snap-on case back and the winding crown has the signature pusher in its centre for the rattrapante function. The champagne dial has four sub dials: three for the chronograph and running seconds and one at the top. The uppermost has a cut out for the moon phase and a date feature around its circumference. This is an important watch and we have written an article about it here. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and comes on the pictured leather strap as seen in the pictures. This is a rare and special watch. Please get in touch to discuss this piece in more detail. We are here to help! Specifications: - Beyer Split Seconds Chronograph - 36 mm yellow gold case - Dates to 1982 - Champagne dial with moon phase indicator - Modified Venus 178 movement - Bulang and Sons leather strap - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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