The new Sea-Gull Rattrapante Split-Seconds Chronograph 70th Anniversary Special Edition revives the legendary “Project 304” pilot’s chronograph of 1963. Housed in a 42.5 mm Grade-5 titanium case and powered by the in-house ST1961 split-seconds movement (derived from the classic ST1901), this watch blends vintage pilot-chrono styling with modern finishing. It is China’s first domestically made split-seconds chronograph and has already been named a finalist in the 2025 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève Competing watches (“Petite Aiguille” category). This GPHG competition underscores the Sea-Gull Rattrapante’s importance and innovation in the global watch community.
Sea-Gull Rattrapante Split-Seconds Chronograph (white-dial edition)
The multi-layered dial echoes the 1960s pilot-chrono design: recessed silver subdials and a printed tachymeter flange contrast with applied Arabic numerals and heat-blued leaf hands. With its brushed and polished titanium case and double-domed sapphire crystal, the new Rattrapante exemplifies accessible haute horlogerie. Monochrome’s Brice Goulard even hails it as “China’s first rattrapante chronograph and arguably the most accessible of its kind on the market”, emphasizing how Sea-Gull has brought this high complication to a much broader audience.
Media Acclaim for an Unprecedented Value
The Rattrapante has drawn enthusiastic reviews from leading watch media, all highlighting its technical feat and price point:
- Monochrome (Brice Goulard): Notes that the new Rattrapante is China’s first split-seconds chronograph and “very possibly the most accessible of its kind on the market now”. The article praises the watch’s classic look and exceptional value, given its rare complication and sub-$4,000 price.
- Teddy Baldassarre (Bilal Khan): Celebrates the watch as “the very first rattrapante made in China” (ref. 418.13.1077) and points out that its $3,649 price “undercuts every other rattrapante out there”. Khan concludes that at this price it could be “the best value in watchmaking”, given the craftsmanship involved.
- Worn & Wound (Zach Kazan): Calls Sea-Gull’s release “a pretty big deal”, noting that a true split-seconds chronograph for $3,649 is almost unheard of. Kazan headlined his review “The Sea-Gull Split-Second Chronograph Limited Might be the Most Affordable Rattrapante Ever”wornandwound.com and marveled that such a high-complication timepiece “shouldn’t really exist” at this price.
- Gear Patrol (Johnny Brayson): Describes it as “a groundbreaking chronograph” and observes that Sea-Gull “has just debuted the most affordable split-seconds chronograph I’ve ever seen”. He notes that this model is not only the first-ever split-seconds chronograph out of China, but also the most affordable, underscoring its technical significance and the trend of high complications reaching new price levels.
Each outlet emphasizes the rare combination of historic design and unprecedented value. Taken together, these reviews make clear that Sea-Gull’s Rattrapante has captured the attention of enthusiasts by democratizing a typically ultra-luxury complication.
Sea-Gull Rattrapante Split-Seconds Chronograph (blue-dial edition)
The Sea-Gull Rattrapante Blue-dial Edition also had its world debut at the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair (Sept 2025). Sea-Gull reports that the Blue-Dial edition was showcased as “a landmark creation” that “drew the spotlight as [a] modern benchmark of Eastern watchmaking”. Collectors and industry guests praised the watch’s deep midnight-blue dial, multi-layered depth, and robust titanium case – all presented with refined finishing. This positive reception at the Fair (and on social media) shows that Sea-Gull’s blend of vintage heritage and cutting-edge engineering resonates widely. Between the GPHG nod and the glowing media response, the Sea-Gull Rattrapante is proving itself a true horological tour de force for 2025.
