Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Eberhard Split Seconds Chronograph Yellow Gold Case Gilt Dial, late 1930s
- Maker / attribution
- Eberhard (maker)
- Date
- late 1930s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 40 mm
- Stock no.
- W-699
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-699)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Eberhard Split Seconds Chronograph Yellow Gold Case Gilt Dial (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-699), this is a wristwatch by Eberhard, made in Switzerland, dated late 1930s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 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
The Biggest and Coolest of the Chronos Sometimes we get to offer you ‘wow’ watches and this Eberhard split second or rattrapante is one such piece. Remaining in outstanding condition, this large 40mm yellow gold cased watch is both rare and incredibly beautiful. The black gilt dial has a telemeter scale on the outer edge and a so-called ‘snail’ style tachymeter in the inner section. The syringe-style hour and minutes hands are all original and look amazing on the watch. The oversize winding crown features the integrated chronograph pusher. The movement, case and dial are all signed by the manufacturer. The yellow gold case is really crisp and strong all round and features a hinged caseback. You can read more about this incredible watch and the history of Eberhard split chronographs here. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and comes on the fixed leather strap as seen in the pictures. Read all about the Split Seconds Chronographs in our Magazine here... Specifications - Eberhard Split Seconds Chronograph - Black gilt ‘snail’ dial - 40mm yellow gold case - Hinged caseback - Dates to late 1930s - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch - Includes a leather strap
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial 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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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