Chopard Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Second - Double Overhead Cam Included.

Chopard didn't just tweak the dial design of this year's Superfast Chrono, they added the horological equivalent of a double overhead cam - a split seconds timer.

Each year Chopard re-design some of the sporty timers in their Classic Racing collection and release them in small series limited editions.  The collection includes the Mille Miglia - the one with the date bubble and Arabic numerals etched onto the crystal, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique - classically styled, understated and the Superfast Chrono -  vertical go-fast stripes on the dial and a great name.  The Mille Miglia GT XL had a split seconds timer added in 2009, new for 2012 comes the Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Second.

The Split Seconds or Rattrapante function has two seconds hands, one of which can be independently stopped to record an intermediate time while the other continues to run, when released, the split seconds hand immediately  catches up with the chrono hand.  Tricky to construct and integrate into the movement and a trick function to have on your wristwatch.  The automatic chronograph calibre on this model is COSC certified and has a power reserve of 42 hours.

It looks good too.  A 45mm blackened DLC case, moulded rubber pushers - red for the split seconds, a vintage steering wheel emblem on the crown, "wheel-nut" screws on the bezel.  On the dial are a small seconds counter at 9 o'clock, an eye-pleasing pointer date at 3 and chrono timers at 12 and 6.  The sweep seconds hand is red, the split seconds hand is white.  The Arabic numerals appear in double digits, on the bezel is a tachymeter scale and the piece is presented on the super-cool Dunlop tyre tread rubber strap.  It's all good.

The Chopard Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Second is a limited edition of 1000 pieces.