The ultimate chronograph
The TRIPLE SPLIT introduces a new dimension of measuring time. It is the world’s first mechanical split-seconds chronograph that allows multi-hour comparative time measurements. This is possible thanks to the triple rattrapante mechanism for seconds, minutes and hours. Thus, the TRIPLE SPLIT can precisely measure and compare single and additive times, an unlimited number of intermediate and reference times, and two concurrently started events that last as long as twelve hours ‒ to an accuracy of one-sixth of a second.
Anthony de Haas on the TRIPLE SPLIT
The development of a triple rattrapante mechanism that controls three hand pairs collectively or separately confronted the engineers with enormous technical challenges. Even a simple rattrapante mechanism has two hands attached to arbors that run one inside the other.
In the case of the triple rattrapante mechanism, this arrangement is three-fold: two seconds hands as well as two hands each for the minute counter and the hour counter. For the watchmakers, the multiple arbor configurations require the ultimate in dexterity and extreme patience in adjusting the endshakes.
"There were days when we thought that this can’t possibly work."
A. Lange & Söhne calibre designer
The ultimate chronograph
The first and only split-seconds chronograph in the world that can measure additive and comparative times for as long as twelve hours is in a league of its own. With the rattrapante minute and hour counters, the TRIPLE SPLIT expands the measuring range of the rattrapante function by a factor of 24, simultaneously breaking the previous house record.
The development and design of such a chronograph reasserts the ambition of A. Lange & Söhne to continuously push the limits of mechanical timekeeping.
The full potential of the rattrapante function
In 2004, the DOUBLE SPLIT was launched as the first chronograph with a dual rattrapante function. This increased the range for lap-time measurements from 60 seconds to 30 minutes.
Now, the TRIPLE SPLIT goes a step further: With the addition of a third, separately stoppable hand pair, the chronograph and rattrapante functions can be used for measurements that last up to 12 hours. This allows the potential of the split-seconds chronograph to be tapped in full for the first time.
A new dimension in timekeeping
The TRIPLE SPLIT benchmarks the current state of the art in rattrapante function developments. Additional rattrapante hands on the minute and hour counters make it possible to stop lap and reference times that last as long as twelve hours. This required the design of a new manufacture movement of incomparable complexity.
The usability of the chronograph has been substantially extended with the rattrapante mechanisms for seconds, minutes and hours. Thus, the TRIPLE SPLIT can now precisely measure and compare multi-hour single and additive times, an unlimited number of intermediate times, reference times, and two concurrently started events to an accuracy of one-sixth of a second.
The TRIPLE SPLIT can, for instance, compare the times of two opponents in a Formula 1 race, a Tour de France leg or a marathon. It can also record the times of consecutively starting events, such as the outbound and return legs of a long-haul flight. Also, it is possible to add the times of multi-hour events, such as the duration of individual Ironman disciplines. Any number of lap times can be stopped during an additive time measurement.
The TRIPLE SPLIT
Movement L132.1
Consisting of 567 parts, the newly developed manufacture calibre L132.1 expresses the determination of A. Lange & Söhne to continually transcend the boundaries of mechanical timekeeping. The three-fold rattrapante mechanism confronted the calibre designers with formidable technical challenges. Multi-allotment arbor configurations require the ultimate in dexterity and extreme patience in adjusting the endshakes.
A glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals much of the elaborately finished chronograph movement, leaving no doubt as to the staggering complexity of the assignment.
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