We like chronographs here at analog/shift. As far as complications go, the versatile chrono can be applied to almost any purpose: war, motorsports, aviation, yachting. While it's not a rare complication by any means, it's the uncommon or even downright obscure applications that pique our interest.
Take for example this "Solunagraph" or "Mareographe," manufactured by Heuer and then retailed by Orvis, an outfitter for fishing and hunting gear. Heuer first introduced the Mareographe in the 1950s and produced it until the 1970s. Along with the requisite 12 hour sub-register at 6 o'clock and a regatta timer at 3 o'clock, the Solunagraph has a tide indication, seen here at 9 o'clock, that is intended to tell fisherman when high and low tides will occur. This is determined by the position of the cross at the center of this sub-register, which is set to the correct time of high tide by the pusher at 9 o'clock. Once set, the sub-register then rotates on a disc that turns in concert with the moon's orbit.
Many of these tide indicator chronographs were also retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch under the model name "Seafarer," or signed by Heuer and retailed under the model name "Mareographe." The Seafarers were the more common iteration of these chronographs, with many different case and dial configurations. More information can be found on them at that inexhaustible resource for all things Heuer, .
Whether signed Heuer, Abercrombie & Fitch, or Heuer, they all had Heuer cases and Valjoux manual-wound movements. Ours has a Heuer ref. 2446C case and a Valjoux 72 movement, that redoubtable motor that powered such venerable chronographs as the . The Autavia 2446C, from the second generation of Autavias, features a larger compression case than the earlier models and a redesigned rotating bezel. The 40mm case is thin for its size, and the downwardly-angled lugs hug the wrist, making it very easy to wear. A sharp-looking watch on its own, it's made even more distinctive with the addition of this unusual sub-register and a killer patina.
