Million Air September-October 2018

First inventedmore than 200 years ago, the chronograph has become one of themost prolific timepiece genres of our time. Initially designed as a stopwatch, themechanical chronograph has evolved to the point that certain versions are considered among themost difficult timepieces to build. Today, in addition to a simple chronograph that times events fromstart to finish, then resets, there are flyback chronographs (which have an instant reset/start of a timing session) and rattrapante (split-seconds) chronographs that timemultiple intermediate or full events, hiding underneath themain chronograph handwhen not in use. Still, our creativemaster watchmakers don’t stop there, they continue to dreamup new, patented systems that offer timing of events to incredible 100ths and even 1000ths of a second, or that can timemore events for longer periods, all while keeping track of real time with the utmost precision. This year, an impressive array of mechanical chronographs—some holding new patents—make their debut on themarket, attesting to the watchmakers’ tireless quest for precision. CHRONOGRAPHS

PARMIGIANI FLEURIERKALPACHRONOR The Kalpa Chronor is part of a series of newKalpa tonneau-shaped watches unveiled this year that recall the original 2001 creation, but with updated detailing and exclusive, shapedmovements. The newmovement of the Kalpa Chronor, the COSC-certified chronometer caliber PF365, took six years to create. Designed, developed and built entirely in house, the PF365 is the world’s first 18K gold self-winding integrated chronographmovement with column wheel and vertical clutch. In typical haute horlogerie style, each component of the 348-part movement is meticulously hand-finished. In addition to offering 65 hours of power reserve, the Kalpa Chronor has chronograph functions, date and tachymeter for measuring speeds. Water resistant to 30 meters, the case is crafted in 18K rose gold with a black opaline dial and hand-worked guilloché on the flange and counters, giving it an elegant look, rather than the sporty style of many chronographs. The tonneau-shaped movement is visible via a sapphire caseback. $85,000 available at Parmigiani Fleurier inMiami, contact Brunno Paciotti, storemanager, brunno.paciotti@parmigiani.com, +1 786 615 9656, parmigiani.com

ALANGE&SÖHNE TRIPLE SPLIT Easily one of the most complex chronographs to date, the A Lange & Söhne Triple Split sets a new benchmark for chronographs; it is the world’s first triple-rattrapante chronograph capable of tracking comparative time measurements in multiple increments for up to 12 hours. The 567-part in-house movement, caliber L132.1, was several years in the making, and is the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 2004 Double Split. There are 10 hands on the watch, including three rattrapante hands for the seconds, minutes and hour totalizers. All hands are color coded so that when split-seconds timing is activated, all functions are easy to read. Amajor challenge for the master watchmakers was enabling the three hand-pairs to operate in unison collectively, or separately on their own. This required a host of new parts and development of a patented disengagement mechanism that ensures accuracy of both chronograph and rattrapante tracking. Just 100 pieces will be made. $147,200, available at A Lange & Söhne in NewYork, contact EmongWang, store manager, newyork@alange-soehne.com, +1 646 828 3150, alange-soehne.com