Haute Timepieces: Perrelet Semi-Skeletonized Split-Seconds Chronograph Watch

Skeletonized dial wrist watches continue to validate our passion for mechanical timepieces by showing us why we are paying such a premium over quartz movement based models. Seeing that ecosystem of polished gears affords an appreciation of the work that goes into these little luxuries. As such, the world of “open” dial skeletonization is vast, with unique methods employed by luxury watch makers intended to catch your visual attention. Often times the most successful attempts involve a view into the mechanical workings of the movement, combined with an remnants of an actual dial displaying indicators required to read the watch.

Still new to America, luxury Swiss watch brand Perrelet offers up a new limited edition version of its popular Split-Seconds chronograph watch collection. The new Semi-Skeletonzied Split-Seconds Chronograph watch collection contains three models that include a mixture of materials such as steel, ceramic, DLC, and pink gold. The innovatively styled modern luxury watch features a complex split-seconds chronograph, presented in a unique manner. The creatively symmetrical dial displays four subdials discs that are partially skeletonized, as well as larger dual rings for the chronograph seconds. The reason there are two rings to count the seconds is because the watch is a “rattrapante.” This means you can split the chronograph between two timing events (which requires two chronograph seconds hands). Hence the term “split-seconds.”

It might have been enough for Perrelet to simply make a unique looking limited edition skeletonized rattrapante watch. Still, they wanted to use some of today’s most popular modern materials. Accordingly, you’ll find a deep black ceramic bezel with cut-in minute markers around the bezel. Aside from the pictured 18k pink gold version of the watch, you can get one in steel or in DLC covered steel. DLC, or otherwise “diamond like carbon” is an extremely hard coating (usually in black) that is far stronger than steel and extremely scratch resistant. The high tech compound is finding itself on a number of high-end luxury watches. It is arguably an improvement over other black color coatings such as PVD, because of its durability and wear resistance. The ceramic material used for the bezel shares a similar high level of scratch resistance. When getting a luxury watch, it is worth investing in materials that will help your new timepiece look fresh over the years.

While the Semi-Skeletonized Split-Second watch has an avant grade classy modern look to the dial and case, the watch feels more like sport item with its flashy flanked lugs (inspired by sport watches of the 1960), and Perrelet logo embossed rubber strap. Likely the sportiest model is the DLC coated black faced version with orange hour markers, and steel with blue toned movement seen through the dial. Inside the watch is a specially modified automatic mechanical movement known as the Perrelet caliber P-241 that has a beautifully decorated automatic rotor. Prices for these Perrelet Semi-Skeletonized Split-Seconds Chronograph watch range from about $13,000 to $24,000 (as seen).

Ariel Adams is the Haute Living Watch Editor and also publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Captions for image points:
1.    43mm wide case in pink gold or steel (polished or DLC coated)
2.    Black ceramic bezel
3.    Date subdial disc
4.    Time seconds counter overlapped by split-second counter dial
5.    Hour chronograph register disc
6.    Minutes chronograph register disc
7.    Skeletonized view through dial into movement