Many say that when you aren’t first, you’re final, and that usually rings true. Whether or not it’s in a race within the Olympics or a race to be the primary to invent fusion vitality, being first usually means nice issues. It isn’t widespread that individuals will keep in mind the person who got here in second in something.
I can inform you the primary individual to interrupt the sound barrier, the primary to fly a powered airplane, and the title of the primary U.S. president, nevertheless it took a Google search to confirm who broke the sound barrier second (civilian pilot Herbert Hoover) and made the second working airplane (unsurprisingly, it was additionally the Wright brothers). Solely now can I keep in mind that John Adams was the second U.S. president because of Lin-Manuel Miranda and his hit Broadway present, Hamilton.
However being first isn’t at all times a assure of lasting reputation and fame both. The as soon as ubiquitous VHS tape was a later follower to the unique, larger high quality Sony Betamax, however price, recording size, and a missed alternative to companion with Hollywood for residence video leases meant Betamax misplaced out and was forgotten as something apart from a “failure.”
An much more broadly recognized product, Oreo cookies, was under no circumstances the primary chocolate sandwich cookie with a cream filling. Oreo was an imitation of the four-year-old cookie named Hydrox, nevertheless it was in a position to eclipse the unique in reputation ensuing within the precise first chocolate sandwich cookie in America being perceived because the knock-off, and it by no means recovered.
Past market success or failure, typically being first is really harmful. The primary individual to interrupt the sound barrier and the primary to invent the airplane weren’t the primary to strive, and a few paid with their lives. It may be dangerous to be the primary, one thing I’m sure Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin would have instructed you after writing their final will and testomony earlier than taking off on Apollo 11.
In actuality, nearly each single “first” we discuss was not a primary try, and even the primary model of some invention. The truth that iteration is a large a part of the success concerned in attaining any first is usually misplaced on the broader public as a result of we don’t see the probably a whole bunch of makes an attempt earlier than success.
We solely are inclined to see or hear in regards to the last step and suppose that was the place it started. Success takes time, observe, and plenty of steps to attain something worthwhile, and even that last success is barely the start of one other journey in direction of greater accomplishments.

Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
That brings me to the younger unbiased model Petermann Bédat which simply launched its second timepiece, the Reference 2941 Split-Seconds Chronograph, after its profitable first mannequin, the 1967 Deadbeat Seconds. That launch was truly the second model of the identical mannequin as nicely, with a primary iteration debuting six months earlier and receiving some pushback necessitating a little bit of a redesign.
The brand new Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph is subsequently, technically, the model’s third launch and it reveals all of the hallmarks of constructing on the success and classes discovered from every earlier launch.
Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
Launched in March 2023, the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph doubles down on the ending and mechanical complexity discovered within the model’s debut mannequin. Making a split-seconds chronograph isn’t a easy extension of the earlier mannequin, even with its dead-beat second mechanism, this mannequin required a floor up improvement for the caliber 202.
But to take care of cohesion throughout fashions, the Cut up-Seconds Chronograph follows the identical design codes established by designer Barth Nussbaumer for the Useless-Beat Seconds, together with the partial sapphire dial and monochromatic end.
The mechanism is seen by a sapphire ring across the platinum dial, although not sufficient to really grasp what’s going on. It’s extra of a sneak peek into the split-second operate whereas the remainder of the chronograph mechanism is seen on the rear.

Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
Two satin sub dials flank the central palms, at 3 o’clock you discover an instantaneous 30-minute counter and at 9 o’clock the working seconds dial. Across the fringe of the dial is the minutes/chronograph seconds observe displaying numerals on the tens and easy-to-understand segmented hash marks.
Shifting inward, the hours are saved easy with solely the 12 and the 6 being marked with numerals whereas the remaining consists of straightforward hash marks, all printed instantly on the sapphire ring. To maintain the visible language distinct and knowledge separated, the essential time telling palms are all in polished and blued metal whereas the chronograph palms are in gold, save the black rattrapante seconds hand showing from beneath.
This distinction is small however offers some separation between the 2 capabilities though the dial harmonizes all these components collectively. Nobody would argue that the association makes the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph essentially the most legible chronograph on the earth, nevertheless it manages to open up the dial extra. The chronograph is operated by two buttons, one within the crown like a typical monopusher chronograph, and a second at 10 o’clock for the split-seconds operate.
Motion is the place it’s at
I’d argue that this second button takes the chronograph out of the monopusher class, a minimum of in spirit, however the simplicity of getting solely two buttons for a split-seconds chronograph retains it as visually clear and easy as mechanically doable.

Motion of the Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
The place the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph actually proves itself is its superior mechanics. A glimpse on the partial sapphire dial invitations you to be curious earlier than you flip the watch over to find what it’s hiding.
No fewer than 339 elements make up the caliber 202, however not all of them are on show like a typical split-second chronograph. In contrast to the towering cityscapes of different standard actions, the split-seconds mechanism was moved to the dial aspect of the watch and is usually hidden, all with the intention of permitting clear entry to the essential chronograph mechanism and its extraordinary ending.
Visible entry was at all times the aim, though many individuals like to look at the motion in motion; Petermann and Bédat agreed that highlighting the intensive ending on the customized elements was extra essential. Ending is, understandably, one of many primary promoting factors for a watch of this caliber (and worth) because it has to compete towards a number of wonderful split-second chronographs available on the market, many additionally that includes top-notch hand-finishing.

Column wheel of the Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
The design of the elements, carried from the unique Useless-Beat Seconds mannequin, consists of quite a lot of aesthetic decisions, together with hooked satan tails on levers and swooping prospers including dynamic motion to the mechanism.
Every thing is completed with excellent black sharpening, chamfered edges, and completely aligned Geneva stripes with ne’er a flaw, one thing that takes an excessive quantity of effort for a motion with this many arcs and corners. Actually, the hooked satan tails are an train in showmanship, demonstrating the extent of ending they’re able to greater than their particular design ideologies.
Taking it to a different degree
The identical degree of ending is current on the dial aspect though most is hidden, however there may be sufficient on show to entice you to look additional. Curiously, while you flip over the watch you discover that the motion is the wrong way up from how it could usually be. Usually, the best way an individual would flip over a watch is across the vertical axis, rolling it over of their palms whereas holding on to the strap.
Within the case of the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph, the right strategy to flip it over is from high to backside, much like turning a web page on a authorized pad. That is solely apparent as a result of the engraved textual content on the motion is oriented on this route, however when you discover this it turns into clear that it does really feel the wrong way up. Stability wheels are sometimes on the backside of a motion and on this orientation, it’s on the high, though when wanting on the motion with the textual content studying correctly, the stability is as soon as once more on the underside.

Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph caseband
That is one bizarre quirk that doesn’t have an effect on something but stood out to me instantly upon my first look, one thing felt off. It’s an odd element that makes the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph totally different from most watches on the market in only one extra approach, and that feels completely aligned with what they’ve tried to perform. This watch is one thing wild and distinctive and but pretty subdued for the trouble put in.
It represents an incredible new entry into the world of split-seconds chronographs from a small unbiased model and it seems poised to take the watch world a bit by storm this 12 months. I can simply see this piece choosing up a prize at this 12 months’s GPHG, and the mannequin resulting in a profitable run of developments from Petermann Bédat.
I urge you to discover the Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph because it deserves a better look and time spent discovering the whole lot it has to supply inside and outside.
And when you discover, I’ll strive my finest to interrupt this down!
- Wowza Issue * 9.6 From the unbelievable motion to the understated design, this piece packs a hefty wowza issue!
- Late Night time Lust Enchantment * 96 » 941.438m/s2 Spending hours gazing into the caliber 202 is sufficient to preserve you lusting after the 2941 till dawn!
- M.G.R. * 70.2 The standard of the ending and the small print of the split-seconds chrono mechanism are sufficient to make this one of many geekiest actions shortly!
- Added-Functionitis * Delicate A chronograph is a really critical added operate for a watch, nevertheless it often solely counts as one, even with the rattrapante and instantaneous minute counter. Nonetheless, I’d advocate utilizing some youngsters’s energy Gotta-HAVE-That cream to handle the horological swelling!
- Ouch Define * 11.4 Pinching a nerve in your hip?! Chalk it as much as getting older, however I discovered that pinching a nerve on the inside of your hip joint is a wierd but uncomfortable expertise. Nonetheless, I’d gladly reside with that ache for weeks if it meant I used to be in a position to get the 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph on my wrist!
- Mermaid Second * That high notch ending! Having the ability to dive into the intensive ending is what makes you fall mad with want, sufficient to start out asking associates to be groomsmen!
- Superior Complete * 813 First, begin with the alloy of the platinum within the case (950) and subtract the variety of elements within the motion (339), then add again within the caliber quantity (202) to finish up with a daring new superior whole!
For extra info, please go to www.petermann-bedat.ch/à-propos-1.
Fast Details Petermann Bédat Reference 2941 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph
Case: 38.6 x 13.7 mm, platinum
Motion: manually wound caliber 202, 42-hour energy reserve, 18,000 vph/2.5Hz
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, cut up seconds chronograph with instantaneous 30-minute counter
Limitation: 10 items (offered out)
Worth: CHF 243,000
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