Split-second Chronograph "LOUIS-FRÉDÉRIC"

Press release - 9th february 2009

A1827/1 - Credit Perrelet

Perrelet rewrites watch making history with the launch of its special, split-second Chronograph as homage to the “savoir faire“ of Louis-Frédéric Perrelet.Grandson of the eminent Abraham-Louis Perrelet, Louis-Frédéric (1781–1854) underwent his first years of formation under the watchful, yet benevolent eyes of his grand-father in Le Locle. After reaching adulthood, he chose to quit the harsh mountain climate for the excitement that Paris had to offer. There, he is known to have worked for the famous Abraham-Louis Breguet, most probably by a contact established by his grandfather. This stage evidently helped to sharpen Louis-Frédéric's skills to the extent that he soon was granted access to the royal court. On his merits he served no fewer than three French kings as official Royal watchmaker. He equally gained fame by many an exhibition culminating in winning 4 gold medals for outstanding horological work. In 1827, he deposited a patent application for a new invention, the chronograph split-second mechanism. His patent was officially registered in his name on March 11, 1828. This invention led the “Academie de Sciences” in Paris to award him with another gold medal a few years later. The transcripts at the Academy were recorded as follows:

“Monsieur Perrelet is now accepted among the distinguished ranks of watchmakers of the highest order by virtue of his craftsmanship and experience… in all his works, you will find a good disposition and perfect execution illustrating the able artist's hands to which we owe the invention of the counter with double stop.”

A1827/2 - Credit Perrelet

Driven by the same passion, Perrelet's engineers have conceived a series of new timepieces by reinterpreting this complication with the possibilities offered by today's technology. The 1st series is limited and numbered to 50 pieces in a combination of 18 carat white and rose gold with a black skeletonised dial. The second series limited to 27 pieces in 18 carat white gold only, features a blue, skeletonised dial. Both editions feature Perrelet's automatic, semi-skeletonised calibre P-241. Central hour and minute hands work in perfect harmony with the seconds and date being displayed by rotating glass disks. Another two disks serve to display the chronograph totalisers, all of which produce a highly innovative and aesthetically appealing look to the watch. The contemporary design is enhanced by using a natural rubber straps which has been embossed with the Perrelet Logo. A gold deployment buckle is standard for both models.

The anti-reflective sapphire crystal allows an unimpeded view into the intricacies of this beautifully skeletonised movement revealing rhodium-plated bridges and plates, blued screws, polished and angled parts as well as allowing the dominant barrel to unwittingly take centre stage. The entirety of the watchmaking masterpiece provides the connoisseur
with a fascinating voyage for the eye that would have surely also appealed to Louis-Frédéric.

The Louis-Frédéric limited Split-Second Chronograph is immediately available at official Perrelet retailers throughout the world.