Vintage Bravingtons London Split Second Rattrapante Stopwatch Swiss Column Wheel

About this watch

A rare mid-20th-century Swiss-made split-second (rattrapante) pocket stopwatch, signed for the London retailer Bravingtons. Rattrapante timers are among the most complex mechanical complications: two overlapping sweep hands start together, and pressing the split pusher at 11 o'clock stops one hand to record a lap or intermediate time while the other keeps running.

The white dial has crisp black Arabic numerals, a 30-minute register at 12 signed Bravingtons London, a small seconds subdial at 6 and an outer fifth-second track marked Swiss Made. Behind the hinged back is a manual-wind Swiss movement with column-wheel control, polished steel levers and serial number 132484. The nickel/steel case has a knurled crown and bow at 12.

Brand heritage

Bravingtons was a long-established London watchmaker, jeweller and silversmith founded by J. F. Bravington, whose flagship shop stood on Pentonville Road, King's Cross, from the early 20th century. Like many leading British retailers, Bravingtons sold high-quality Swiss-made watches and timers signed with its own name.

Split-second stopwatches of this kind were made in Switzerland's specialist chronograph workshops and used for sports, racing and laboratory timing.

Why this one is special

• True rattrapante (split-seconds) complication, rarely found in stopwatches
• Swiss column-wheel movement, visible under the hinged back
• Signed Bravingtons London dial
• Clean, legible white dial with 30-minute register and small seconds

Specifications

• Retailer / Brand: Bravingtons London
• Type: split-second (rattrapante) pocket stopwatch
• Era: circa 1950s
• Movement: Swiss manual-wind, column-wheel, serial no. 132484
• Functions: start/stop/reset via crown, split-second via pusher at 11, 30-minute register, small seconds
• Case: nickel/steel with hinged back, crown and bow

Condition

Dial is in clean condition with crisp numerals; the blued/darkened steel hands are intact and well-aligned. The case shows light, age-appropriate surface wear, patina and micro-scratches on the exterior plating; hinges close securely. The manual-wind movement winds and runs, and the crown and split-second pusher function to start, stop, split and reset the hands. Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the description.

What's included

The stopwatch, shown in a presentation box (a generic box, not original to the stopwatch). No papers.

Shipping & Returns

Ships from Cairo, Egypt. Please see the shipping and returns details in this listing.