Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Appealing New Edouard Koehn Legacy Rattrapante Chronograph
A handsome split-second chronograph inspired from a 1900 pocket watch, with a pragmatic movement and lovely enamel dial.
Himself a watchmaker and at one time the co-owner of Patek, Philippe & Cie, the name Edouard Koehn (1839-1908) resurfaced in the modern watchmaking scene in 2020 thanks to Bernard F. Fleury, a seasoned veteran in the industry known for his work as the CEO of Vulcain in the early 2000s. The latest Edouard Koehn watch we reviewed at MONOCHROME was the World Heritage II, a rare combination of world time and alarm functions. Now, the brand returns to its roots with a true classic in both style and function, an elegant split-second chronograph inspired by one of its antique pocket watches. Meet the Edouard Koehn Legacy Rattrapante Chronograph.
Edouard Koehn is an independent watchmaking brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, paying homage to the watchmaker (1839-1908) of the same name. The brand was revitalized a few years ago by industry veteran Bernard Fleury, who had previously made a name as CEO of Vulcain in the early 2000s. Fleury’s journey with Edouard Koehn began when he discovered one of the original timepieces at an auction. Intrigued, he delved into the brand’s history, uncovering an history that convinced him of its potential. In 2015, Fleury secured the rights to the name, setting the stage for its modern resurgence.
The latest creation from Edouard Koehn, the Legacy Rattrapante, is an elegant split-seconds chronograph inspired by one of the brand’s 1900 pocket watches. The genesis of the development of this new Legacy Rattrapante model is the result of a close collaboration with 10Ten Labs, Edouard Koehn’s exclusive distributor in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and Bernard Fleury, who wanted to bring back this rather special complication, and then started the development on the movement a few years ago in collaboration with Concepto.
The Legacy Rattrapante faithfully translates the aesthetics of the original 1900 pocket watch into a 40mm wristwatch. Its 316L steel case features rectangular pushers and a fluted crown with a coaxial pusher for the rattrapante function. Despite the inherent thickness of an automatic split-seconds chronograph, the watch feels significantly slimmer than its 14.60mm thickness suggests, thanks to thoughtful design choices and the use of a box sapphire crystal. It is water resistant to 50m.
Automatic split-seconds chronograph movement
Powered by a proprietary movement developed with Concepto, the Legacy Rattrapante was built on a Valjoux 7750 base. However, its cam-operated chronograph movement has been extensively reworked to include split-seconds functionality. Reminiscent of the dial lay-out of the 1900 pocket watch, it features a 60-minute counter at 12 o’clock. These jump instantaneously every minute, ensuring clear read outs despite the register’s size.
The movement is self-winding with a 48-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 4Hz. It is visible through the exhibition case back, which showcases traditional decorations such as blued screws, Geneva stripes, and perlage.
If the chronograph is one of the most revered complications, the rattrapante (or split-seconds) function takes it to a whole new level. The word rattrapante translates from the French “to catch up”. Rattrapante chronographs feature two superimposed seconds hands that time two events of different lengths simultaneously. One hand (the rattrapante) can be stopped to read an intermediate time, while the other one (the trotteuse) keeps running. A second push on the rattrapante pusher allows the stopped hand to catch up with the moving hand.
Hand-made grand feu enamel dial
Crafted with Donzé Cadran, the Legacy Rattrapante dial features classic black Breguet numerals against a white grand feu background that will ensure lasting depth and clarity. Red accents add a vibrant touch. The central chronograph seconds hand is activated by the pusher at 2 o’clock. The split-seconds function, controlled by the coaxial crown pusher, is indicated by the blue hand, while the pusher at 4 o’clock resets the chronograph.
The Edouard Koehn Legacy Rattrapante Split-Seconds Chronograph is worn on a black alligator strap with a light blue alligator lining. It is secured to the wrist with a steel folding buckle. The watch is released in a limited edition of 50 pieces and retails for CHF 15,800. With its timeless elegance, this watch is certainly worth considering if you’re thinking of adding a split-second chronograph to your collection. For more information, please visit www.edouardkoehn.com.
6 responses
This could have been a home run with a thinner, manual movement.
Agreed. They could have easily used the manual version with a solid case back. 40×14.6 aren’t great proportions. Could they have made it 1 mm thinner?
The price seems steep. Maybe a run of 100 would have helped bring it down? It’s still limited edition, it will still depreciate either at 50 or 100.
Strange there’s nothing on their site about this model.
Are they asking north of 15,000 in CHF for a base of a 7750?
At which point is the watch industry going to stop taking their customers for retards?!
Unfortunately the supply of stupid people with too much money far outstrips the supply of watches they want to buy. That keeps the prices high.
Nice dial material, clean dial and simplicity, great complication , but too expensive for a 7750 rattrapante, similar rattrapante 7750 can be found for USD5~7k.
You may not have read the technical description of the model fully:
Concepto base chronograph caliber with split-seconds function.
60-minute instantaneous register.
Grand feu enamel dial.
40 mm fine steel case with box sapphire crystal.
Alligator leather strap with alligator leather lining.
50-piece limited edition.
This fully justify the price positioning.