1940s Breitling Duograph Rattrapante

We've mentioned before how much we love the replica breitling Bentley GT chronographs from the 1940s, they are so much cooler than anything modern day (save the Navitimer, of course). The watch we've found today is perhaps our favorite 1940s Breitling we've come across yet, and for a few reasons.

This bad boy is a rattrapante, or split second chronograph. This not-often used complication allows the wearer to track not only total elapsed time but also small intervals, such as laps, without having to start and stop the chronograph.
Look at that crown. This original winding crown does more than just wind, it actually operates the split second hand of the chronograph.
Finally, just look at the face of this http://www.speedroc.com/replica-breitling-navitimer-01.html. The original art deco font used for the hour markers is beautiful, and more than just a little unique. Then ther eis the blue tachymetre scale, another great touch.

The replica breitling Chronomat 41 Navitimer is classic chronograph, in fact we think it's one of the best ever made. But Breitling surely made chronographs before the Navitimer, and that is what we have found for you. We have found pre-Navitimer Breitlings in the past, sure, but this one is special.

Look at the face of the black chronograph to the left. Does it remind you of something? A Complicated, multi-ringed chronograph with a black face and black sub dials? We'll give you a hint, click here. Yes it looks like the original Navitimer.

Certainly there are differences, and we welcome those differences. In fact, we've never seen Breitling exactly like this before. It comes from the 1940s, features a perfectly functioning mechanical chronograph movement, and has unusual moveable lugs. The lugs remind us a lot of this Ulysse Nardin One-Button chronograph, also from the 1940s.

The Chronomat is our second favorite Breitling, eclipsed only by the mighty Navitimer. They certainly resemble each other, with those busy but handsome faces. The Chronomat is really a watch for an engineer or a navigator, while we consider the Navitimer a pilot's watch. They are a perfect complement to each to other, we think...two peas in a pod (of the space variety, perhaps?).

We have featured a few Chronomats in the past, including one that was in as good condition as the day it was sold. It had been kept in a drawer for 50 years. The one we have found for you today was not kept in a drawer, but it is in great shape, and it does come with the original box and dated warrantee certificate.

That is not all, it is the first and only Chronomat (ref 808) that we've seen with a colored outer ring. Usually they are just plain satin, as we've seen on the previous Chronomats featured. This one, however, features "mint original dial with satin center and black outer scale and red and black printed registers".

We think this really adds a lot to the already great looks of the Chronomat, and at a price of $4500, this represents a really great deal on a rare vintage Breitling.