When you think of split-second or rattrapante chronographs, you immediately picture high-end watches from Vacheron Constantin or Patek Philippe. Finding an accessible rattrapante chronograph, at least new on the market, is not an easy task, especially if you consider Swiss or European watch manufacturers. But something from the other side of the world is about to change that. Seagull, the large movement and watch producer from China, recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. As part of a commemorative collection of complex watches, there was something fairly intriguing: the Seagull Split-Second Chronograph Limited, a 4.7K dollar watch that is not only China's first rattrapante chronograph but very possibly the most accessible of its kind on the market now.
SEA-GULL Rattrapante Chronograph
Model: 418.13.1077
Feature: Rattrapante, Chronograph
Product Link: 70th Anniversary Rattrapante Chronograph 42.5mm
In the rarefied world of mechanical watchmaking, few complications command as much respect as the split-seconds chronograph. This mechanical marvel, first conceptualized as a "monorattrapante" system by French horological pioneer Joseph Thaddeus Winnerl in 1831 and perfected into its definitive dual-needle implementation by 1838, has long been considered the ultimate proving ground for watch manufacturers. Today, Tianjin Sea-Gull Watch Group makes history with the debut of China's first completely indigenous split-seconds chronograph - a timepiece that redefines expectations of Chinese watchmaking while delivering extraordinary value in the realm of grand complications.
The new Sea-Gull Split-Seconds Chronograph represents more than seven years of intensive research and development. At its heart beats the proprietary ST1961 movement, an evolution of Sea-Gull's celebrated ST19 chronograph caliber that now incorporates a sophisticated pincer-style rattrapante mechanism. This manually-wound movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers 45 hours of power reserve, combining traditional column wheel control with horizontal clutch engagement for precise operation. The movement's architecture reveals meticulous finishing touches including Geneva stripes on the split-seconds bridge and polished chamfers that catch the light with each subtle wrist movement.
Sea-Gull's engineers have created an exceptionally legible instrument for measuring elapsed time. The silver-white dial features two distinct central seconds hands: a gray primary chronograph hand and a blued steel split-seconds hand. When the wearer activates the 10 o'clock pusher, the blued hand pauses independently while the gray hand continues its uninterrupted sweep - a feat made possible by Sea-Gull's precisely calibrated dual-gear train system. Subsequent pressure on the pusher brings the hands back into perfect synchronization, ready for the next interval measurement. The 5 o'clock pusher controls the traditional chronograph stop function for both hands simultaneously.
Housed in a 42.5mm Grade 5 titanium case, the watch achieves an ideal balance between presence and wearability. The aerospace-grade titanium alloy provides exceptional strength and corrosion resistance while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional stainless steel. Sea-Gull's designers have drawn inspiration from the brand's historic D304 pilot watch, creating a case profile that blends vintage aviation aesthetics with contemporary proportions. At 16mm thick, the case necessarily accommodates the complex movement architecture while maintaining elegant proportions through careful contouring of the caseback and lugs.
The dial represents a masterclass in traditional watchmaking decoration. Sea-Gull's artisans employ multiple specialized techniques to create visual depth and refinement. Relief-applied Arabic numerals feature carefully rounded profiles, while the snailed subdials at 3 and 9 o'clock provide textural contrast against the grand feu enamel-like main dial surface. The blued steel hands receive convex polishing to enhance their luminosity, a detail typically found in timepieces costing several times this watch's price. Even the pushers receive decorative guilloché engraving - a nod to high-end Swiss chronographs.
Presented on a supple black leather strap with matching titanium buckle, the Sea-Gull Split-Seconds Chronograph makes its most compelling statement through accessibility. Priced at $4,700 USD and limited to just 500 pieces worldwide, it offers collectors an unprecedented opportunity to own a genuine grand complication at a fraction of traditional Swiss pricing. More significantly, it announces Sea-Gull's arrival as a serious contender in the world's most demanding horological disciplines - not through imitation, but through authentic technical innovation and uncompromising craftsmanship.
For collectors who have followed the remarkable evolution of Chinese watchmaking over the past decade, this timepiece represents both a culmination and a new beginning. It demonstrates that the most exclusive complications need no longer be the exclusive domain of traditional Swiss manufactures, while proving that true horological artistry knows no geographical boundaries. As both a precision instrument and a work of mechanical art, the Sea-Gull Split-Seconds Chronograph deserves consideration not as an "alternative" to established luxury watches, but as a legitimate masterpiece in its own right - one that happens to carry the distinction of being China's first.
The Sea-Gull Split-Seconds Chronograph now is available through official stores and select authorized retailers beginning in the first quarter of 2025. Given the extreme complexity of production and strict limitation of pieces, prospective buyers are encouraged to express interest early to secure this historic timepiece.
