Breguet Classique Rattrapante Chronograph, late 1990s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Breguet Classique Rattrapante Chronograph, late 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Breguet (maker)
Date: late 1990s
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 38 mm
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: 40990222
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40990222)
Catalogue title (original): Breguet Classique Rattrapante Chronograph (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40990222), this is a wristwatch by Breguet, made in Switzerland, dated late 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 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 — Analog/Shift

Why We Love It Breguet makes the best dials in the biz. Yeah, we said it. Their signature engine turned dials, individually numbered and hand-finished are simply, purely beautiful works of art. Executed here in their core line - the Classique - this particular watch offers something a bit more special than your "run-of-the-mill" Breguet. Finished in 18K yellow gold, this watch dates to the late 1990s and features a spectacular 38mm coin-edge case housing one of Breguet's absolutely stunning individually numbered guilloche dials, a blued-steel Breguet handset, and a hand-cranking Lemania-based split-seconds chronograph movement - known to us watch folk as a "rattrapante." Prior to being acquired by its first and only owner, this watch sat unsold in a safe in South America for a decade, and remains in virtually unworn condition. Accompanied by its boxes and books, and paired with one of our Analog:Shift suede leather straps, this watch is something very special to behold. Gorgeous. Timeless. Perfect.

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

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.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Split-seconds chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Breguet Classique Rattrapante Chronograph, late 1990s." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, 40990222. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/breguet-classique-rattrapante-chronograph-681fa3.