Wakmann Triple Calendar Chronograph

In watchmaking, anything that shows more than the hours, minutes, and seconds is considered to be a complication. Throughout horological history and on to the present day, complications have been a watchmaker’s way of showing his or her expertise. From the simple—such as a date window—to the intricate (for example, a perpetual calendar), complications are as delightful as they are complex. Among complications, a triple calendar is perhaps the most popular—particularly when combined with a chronograph. Employed by manufactures from all spectrums of the industry, from the top tier (such as Patek Philippe) to the mid-range, the triple calendar chronograph is as ubiquitous as it is visually appealing. Nowhere else is so much information displayed with such grace. While certain examples can trend toward the dressy, those made by Breitling and its subsidiary, Wakmann, are sportier iterations that today’s collectors particularly love.  Starting in the 1940s, Breitling released the Datora, a chronograph that showed both the day and the date as well as the month. The model was a success, and the design was used by other manufactures, including Heuer. But it was under Breitling’s U.S.-based distributor, Wakmann, that the most popular variant of triple calendar chronograph was produced. With a distinctive black and white dial, this triple calendar chrono oozes 1960s sporty appeal. This is brought home by the size of the Gigandet case—a whopping 39mm, making it a “jumbo” variant. On a black “rally” style strap, it has all the right stuff to get you through the day… or week… or month.