Bovet Mono-Rattrapante 5347 Silver Dial

This 1940s Bovet is a rare mono rattrapante chronograph with an excellently preserved multicolor dial.

Founded in 1822, Bovet is a renowned Swiss watch manufacturer known for its high-quality timepieces and exquisite craftsmanship.

This 1950s Bovet Mono-Rattrapante is a technically remarkable and rare wristwatch. The term "mono-rattrapante" means "single split-seconds". A rattrapante chronograph makes it possible to read off split times - a function that was particularly useful in motorsport for timing laps.

A traditional split seconds chronograph has two second hands, with the split-seconds hand being stopped to read off a split time, while the other hand keeps on running. A mono rattrapante, on the other hand, has a single second hand. The chronograph is started by pressing the upper pusher. If you hold down the lower pusher, the second hand stops and you can read off a split time. When the lower pusher is released again, the second hand jumps back to the position it would have been at if it had not been stopped. The manual-wound Valjoux 84 caliber, which was developed exclusively for Bovet's mono rattrapante chronographs in the 1930s and 1940s, is responsible for the mechanics.

Here you can see a mono rattrapante chronograph with a classic silver-colored dial. A detail-loving collector will appreciate the intricate two-tone dial with two integrated sub-dials. The combination of black minute, red telemeter and blue tachymeter scales exudes sophistication. The magical metallic hands appear lighter or darker depending on the viewing angle. The small hand in the 30-minute counter has an elegant flame shape.

The stainless steel case with its beautiful stepped bezel, domed acrylic crystal and 38 mm diameter makes for a wonderful look on the wrist.

A special feature of this model is the absence of the Bovet signature on the dial. To our knowledge, the very first examples of the Bovet Mono-Rattrapante did not have a Bovet logo on the dial. There is even an excerpt from an old Bovet catalog from 1944 that shows a Mono-Rattrapante with such a dial (see pictures). The two-digit case number 23 also suggests that this Bovet was one of the very first versions. The 23 appears both on the inside of the case back and on the back of the lug.

Condition report
Dial: TOP condition - light authentic patina - perfect telemeter and tachymeter scale - signed "Mono Rattrapante", "Impermeable" and "Swiss Made".

Case: stainless steel case with slight signs of wear - sharp lines - intact and clearly visible engravings on the back - the case number on the back of the lug matches the number inside the case back.

Movement: manual-wound Valjoux 84 caliber operates perfectly.

Summing-Up
This vintage mono rattrapante chronograph demonstrates Bovet's watchmaking excellence, both in terms of technical complexity and aesthetic beauty. For discerning watch enthusiasts, this watch is a remarkable collector's item thanks to its rare "no-logo" dial and very early serial number.

Int.Exe.: 47443